Valve’s DotA 2 is free to play so players get to enjoy all of the game’s features without having to pay a single cent. Valve still needs to make money of course, and they do this by selling in-game items like skins which do not affect the gameplay. It’s a smart way to offer the game and still get paid.
Now it looks like Valve is trying to find new ways of monetizing DotA 2. It has announced Dota Plus. This new subscription feature has a price of $3.99 a month and will give users access to additional features. No worries, DotA 2 will remain the same and Valve isn’t getting rid of features or locking them behind any paywalls.
This will offer players more features that some might find useful, like the Plus Assistant that can give players data on their games and make suggestions. “Use the Plus Assistant to help you make build decisions by utilizing real-time item and ability suggestions. These suggestions are based on data gathered from millions of recent games at each skill bracket, ensuring your builds stay current in the ever-evolving meta. Better understand your playstyle by using new graphs and analysis tools both during the match and after it’s finished.”
Some feel that it gives other players an unfair advantage, but it’s better than many other options that other games use.
Source Ubergizmo