Dota 2 beta invites' Steam Marketplace removal suggests we're closer to launch

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Bad news, fans of getting rich incredibly slowly. Valve have disabled the selling of Dota 2 beta invites through the Steam Market. Previously, for a scant few pence, you were able to buy your way into the beta, bypassing the then £22.99 price tag of the Steam Store. But while there are still places to get invites for free , that they're starting to be phased out suggests we're another step closer to the game's official launch.

The removal was noticed by the folks behind the Steam Database site:

Last month, Valve wrote : "The first step we'll be taking is to release a larger set of training features, and retire the existing Dota 2 Invites. The combination of these two things makes now the best time to use any remaining Dota 2 Invites you have to bring your friends in that are unfamiliar with the game. After that, we'll start allowing all users to join in."

Last week, Valve vastly increased the game's tutorial, and added a new Limited Hero mode to help ease new players into the game.

Back in PC Gamer issue 254 , we revealed that Dota 2 was set to be released before this August's International tournament. You can now read the entirety of our huge Dota 2 feature online.

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Phil Savage
Phil Savage
Editor-in-Chief

Phil has been writing for PC Gamer for nearly a decade, starting out as a freelance writer covering everything from free games to MMOs. He eventually joined full-time as a news writer, before moving to the magazine to review immersive sims, RPGs and Hitman games. Now he leads PC Gamer's UK team, but still sometimes finds the time to write about his ongoing obsessions with Destiny 2, GTA Online and Apex Legends. When he's not levelling up battle passes, he's checking out the latest tactics game or dipping back into Guild Wars 2. He's largely responsible for the whole Tub Geralt thing, but still isn't sorry.

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