Valve Software just recently updated the International 2016 Compendium for Dota 2 with a truckload of new features for Battle Pass viewers such as new player cards, a Fantasy Challenge, Battle Points for correct predictions in The International Main Event, and more. However, what could be the update’s biggest feature is a new VR Hub for owners of SteamVR-compatible VR headsets.
According to Valve, Battle Pass viewers can strap in and watch the Dota 2 action take place on a huge screen with up to 15 real-world friends. They can watch live matches, replays, and streams on the VR Theater virtual screen while standing next to full-size avatars of the characters duking it out on the battlefield. Even more, there’s an interactive mini-map, enabling viewers to leave the spectator lobby and travel to any point on the battlefield.
That said, while on the field, viewers can change the camera height. This provides means to watch the action from directly above, to hover close overhead as a battle carries out, or stand directly on the ground among the fighters. The controllers can be used to move viewers from one location to another in an instant.
To access the VR Hub, simply load up Dota 2 as normal and select Dota VR Hub in the popup menu. If you’re already running Dota 2 from within SteamVR, Dota VR will automatically launch when the viewer selects “Play in VR.” The Dota VR Hub is available to download and install for free under the DLC section of the library page.
The hardware needed to run Dota VR Hub includes an Intel Core i7-3930K processor or equivalent (or better); a Nvidia GeForce GTX 970, AMD Radeon R9 290, or an equivalent (or better) graphics card; and a VR headset compatible with SteamVR with tracked controllers.
To check out what the new Dota VR Hub offers, take a look at this gallery of screenshots. As seen in the images, viewers can interact with other spectators, wear cool hats and masks, and examine a VR Hero Showcase.
As for the other new features offered in the International 2016 Compendium, there are 15 new Player Card Packs for Battle Pass owners that serve as claimable Level 1 rewards. These packs contain five Player Cards each, and even serve up at least one Gold or Silver Card to beef up your daily Fantasy Challenge rosters.
As for the Fantasy Challenge, viewers can compete using three Core Player Cards and two Support Player cards. Each day, viewers can select their cards and score fantasy points based on the players’ performance during the International on that particular day. In turn, Battle Points are collected at the end of the tournament that are based on the amount of fantasy points the viewer has collected versus what other spectators have earned.
Finally, other additions in the new update include the ability to earn Battle Points by correctly predicting the outcome of each round in The International Main Event, and earning Battle Points by making predictions on Heroes, Teams, Players, and Tournaments. Valve also increased the capacity of in-game spectator chat to support a huge number of viewers crammed into a single channel. There’s a new Live Game tab in the dashboard chat window too for accessing the spectator chat window.
