http://blog.dota2.com/2011/08/dota2-gamescom-trailer/

The thing that's excellent is that the trailer is basically just a higher res version of what the game will look like, as I've seen game screenshots. I love the redesigns, especially the one for Faceless Void, Storm Spirit, Earthshaker, Viper, Razor...hell, I love them all.

I was already planning to get Dota 2 for many months now, but just seeing this, and then seeing the tournament at Games Con in 2 days, the hype will be so thick I could cut it with a knife. I've been playing Dota recently in anticipation and trying to get used to the Dota mindset again (League of Legends plays so differently its silly) so I won't get steam rolled when I get Dota 2.

MOBAs always look really underwhelming in trailers. I wasn't impressed, but I didn't expect to be.

In recent news: League of Legends countered Valves $1Mil tournament with a $5Mil tournament next year themselves. Will Valve retaliate?

Ha, the MOBA genre is so exploding right now

Incorrect. League of Legends is not having a $5 million dollar tournament. That $5 million is for ALL of their season two competition season. Valve's $1 million is for just for a SINGLE tournament. Basically, League of Legends needs to try harder if they want to one up Valve. Also, I'm pretty sure that Valve has more than $1 million in the tournament, as the $1 million is just for the winners. The runners up get prizes, too.

But, yes, mobas are exploding right now, although I think that Dota 2 will put most of them in their place, or completely destroy half of them. I expect nearly half of the league of legends/Heroes of Newerth player bases to move to Dota 2. I know I'm going to be leaving League of Legends for Dota 2, and I know many others are as well.

This 1 million dollar tourney is also before the game has made them any money

Ahhhh, so awesome. I can't wait for it to come out. I wonder what Pugna is going to look like.

It has a Sand King equivalent. All the persuasion I still needed.

I'm still going to be playing my old favorites: Viper and The Invoker.

Tourney is starting now. Get your booty in the stream.
http://www.dota2.com/tournaments/international/

No, you don't need sleep. Stop being a baby.

It says live game in progress but is showing nothing?

I considered locking my door and closing my blinds and turning off my phone for this. But then I guess it will be recorded somewhere right?

Yes, its going to be somewhere on the website.

I watched the first SIXTY SIX minutes of the first match and then quite when the stream died again. Apparently, the stream was dying because SO MANY PEOPLE were watching it. Regardless, when it was running, the game was beautiful, smooth, and exactly what I expected it to be.

So uh... I didn't get to watch any of the games but I saw bits on youtube. Looks amazing. So where can I find those recorded games? O.O

Also I signed up for the beta.

http://www.dota2.com/tournaments/international/schedule/Wednesday

In the "match page" column you can view replays. To me the game looks slower than League of Legends but I haven't played in a while.

Thank you.

Yeah it is a tad slower, but I think this is really just the Asian metagame. Their tactic is more "farmfarmfarm" and drag it into late game from what I can tell.

I think the art style is really top notch. Integrate the UI more (it stands out too much, way too much filler space and the contrast is completely off) and this could be the second standalone MOBA with such artistic consistency.

Agreed, all that space in the UI is distracting. I like how everything else is looking though.

Yeah, I even remembered what it reminded me of: The first pictures from the early days of Diablo 3. Kept even closer to the style of the hand-drawn concept art.