Valve has released a new Dota Pro Circuit app, available to Dota Plus subscribers.
The app allows users to “wager” shards on DPC matches with its ‘Predictions’ feature. This is an unexpected move by Valve, which had previously distanced itself from gambling-related activities, even going as far as warning teams not to partner with betting companies.
The Dota Plus subscription costs about $4 per month and shards are free in-game items earned using gameplay. Because the items are free, the Predictions feature does not count as gambling.
Fantasy Challenge and more
The Dota Pro Circuit app, available on iOS and Google Play, also includes the Dota Plus Fantasy Challenge, allownig players to build their own rosters for the chance to win shards, a Dota 2 news feed, tournament information and match details.
According to Valve’s official announcement, the DPC app’s features are as follows:
Custom News Feed
“Tag your favorite teams and players to feature them prominently in your News Feed. You’ll get real-time updates on match results, roster changes, and upcoming matches. You can even check out player profiles for more in-depth info on team history along with achievements and earnings for the current DPC season.”
Predictions
“Test your powers of prediction by correctly choosing the winner of any DPC match no matter where you are. Back up your call by wagering your personal Shards. Choose wisely—a win will pay out along the odds, but a loss is sure to deplete your hard-earned stash.”
Fantasy
“Don’t just watch the DPC, field your own team of champions in the Fantasy Challenge. Build your roster and compete against your friends and the entire world to score the most points. You’ll stack up a nice pile of Shards if your roster outperforms the rest of the competition.”
Tournaments
“The Tournament tab is your home for info on every Dota Pro Circuit event. In addition to overall DPC standings, you can find details on participating teams, event standings, and match details—including a net worth graph, hero stats, and more. As a Tournament progresses, you’ll have access to updates on Group Stage and Playoff matchups with complete results.”
Match details
“The Dota Plus companion app helps ensure you never miss a minute. In addition to match details from previous series, you can also follow along with live games, letting you keep up with all the action as it happens—even when you can’t watch.”
