Just hours after announcing a comic full of background information, Valve finally released the Crownfall update for Dota 2. However, it wasn’t the earth-shattering update that many players had hoped for.
Crownfall is great, but… isn't there something missing?
While excitement was running high for the new hero Ringmaster, major gameplay changes, and an in-game event, the initial rollout for Crownfall—dubbed “The Markets of Midgate”—appears to be more focused on skins and cosmetics. The update delivers the promised Arcana skins for Skywrath Mage and Vengeful Spirit, along with a battle pass-like feature and a wealth of cosmetics. But Crownfall didn’t include the new hero, an event like Aghanim’s Labyrinth, or any major gameplay tweaks.
But as players scrolled to the bottom of the Dota 2 Crownfall landing page, a glimmer of hope emerged. Valve dubbed this release “Act One” of Crownfall, hinting at what could be a multi-part rollout. Act Two, “The Deserts of Druud,” is expected in mid-May, while Acts Three and Four remain “locked” for the foreseeable future.
Unsurprisingly, the Dota 2 community reacted with a mix of emotions. Memes with the phrase “Clownfall” began circulating, reflecting disappointment over the lack of promised content. Frustration with Valve’s release strategy is also evident, with most reactions highlighting the long wait since the last major gameplay patch in December 2023.
