Valve, the creators of Dota 2, have taken a firm stance against monetization in custom games. Developers of these user-created games received emails from Valve's legal team, instructing them to cease all forms of monetization by August 17, 2023. This decision marks a significant shift in how creators can interact with Valve's gaming platform.
Dota 2's Arcade Menu has been a vibrant hub for unique custom games, including the birthplace of the immensely popular game "Auto Chess." Despite the creativity and community engagement these custom games foster, Valve is now drawing a clear line on the commercial use of their Dota Workshop tools.
The notice sent by Valve's lawyers covers a wide range of monetization methods, such as third-party payment systems, battle passes, subscriptions, virtual items, currencies, and skins. Creators have been urged to immediately halt sales of these items and provide a detailed report of their monetization activities by the specified deadline, breaking down the data by territory and payment method.
The move comes in response to the strictly non-commercial license provided for the Dota Workshop tools. While some developers had previously found ways to monetize their creations in a legally uncertain territory, Valve's latest action puts an end to these practices, demanding strict compliance from creators and threatening potential repercussions for those who fail to adhere to the new terms.
