Dota 2 VR Hub in action (Photo : YouTube / Brad Lynch)
Valve has recently added the new Dota 2 VR Hub which allows users to spectate on ongoing matches or to watch match replays through their HTC Vive or Oculus Rift headset.
Unfortunately, the development does not mean that players will be able to duke it out in the field in first-person mode. Only spectators will be able to enjoy the VR view as they watch how the other players battle either in first-person mode or through the bird's eye view.
The new Dota 2 VR Hub is part of The International 2016 Compendium update from Valve and allows players to view live matches of their friends or to watch replays of unbelievable plays available through the game's history, Engadget has learned. As of this writing, the International tournament's price pool is around $18 million.
Most VR applications are designed for playing games in a new perspective which is a good idea in itself but it has not been perfected yet. Valve's new Dota 2 update gives VR headset owners a good alternative to just sit back and watch gameplays of their friends where they can freely move about compared to just watching them on YouTube or through the same eyes in the game itself.
Valve said that Dota 2 players can watch either replays or live matches in the Dota VR Theater, Kotaku reported. Up to 15 players can watch a single game through the Dota VR Theater.
"Immerse yourself further by jumping through the minimap into the game itself. Watch from a bird's-eye view or plant your feet on the ground to watch the battles rage around you at full scale," Valve said.
The concept is similar to the 360-degree videos that are slowly popping up in YouTube and Facebook. Valve could also sell Dota VR tickets for The International 2016 tournament that will kick off next week.
Players could be able to watch the top Dota 2 matches next week with their Oculus Rift or HTC Vive headsets. RiftCat could also be used to stream SteamVR through a smartphone with a Google Cardboard VR headset for a cheaper solution.
