Is IceFrog returning to save Dota 2?

Over the past few years, Dota 2’s various patches have become increasingly obsolete, causing many community members to share different thoughts that Valve’s classic MOBA may be dying.

Is IceFrog no longer involved in Dota 2?

Other community figures even doubted IceFrog, the game’s leading developer, was 100% involved in Dota 2.

The inexplicable decrease in the “wow-factor” changes in every patch released made the community believe that this unknown developer might have distanced himself from the game. But, the truth regarding this was revealed by a champion of The International, Oliver “skiter” Lepko, who plays for Tundra Esports.

According to skiter, IceFrog seems to have taken over Dota 2 again since the last patch was released, so significant changes are expected.

Skiter added:

“Icefrog had not been working on DOTA much the past two years, according to rumors. That’s why there weren’t any big changes to the map or economics. Icefrog is supposed to be back since the last patch so that we can expect bigger changes again.”

“Valve also told us that we can meet Icefrog, I mean Tundra Team (because of TI victory). Not sure when, but probably next year.”

Recently, there was an interview between Peter “c1RcA” Trávnik and Skiter. The world champion said that IceFrog “hadn’t been working much on Dota the last two years.”

These statements by Skiter have started to spread throughout the Dota 2 community, causing different personalities to join the discussion.

Gorgc joins the discusión

On the other hand, well-known Dota 2 streamer Janne “Gorgc” Stefanovski made a video reaction to Skiter’s statements about IceFrog. He gave his point of view and, in addition, information that he already knew.

In summary, Gorgc said:

“I’m surprised he leaked this,

I can confirm that this is also what I heard, and I didn’t want to say anything on stream, but it looks to be the truth.”

The streamer is also aware of IceFrog’s absence, as he believed the developers would be working on another video game and, as a result, were away from Dota 2 in recent years.

Gorgc added that:

“I have never mentioned this because, in some way, I believed that people would stop caring about Dota 2 if IceFrog weren’t at Valve.”

About IceFrog

IceFrog has been directly involved in developing the MOBA Dota 2 since 2005.

Other developers have joined the project at different times. But they have left over the years, but IceFrog has stayed on board with Dota. So it might make some sense for them to take a well-deserved break after more than 15 years of active work.

Nothing is confirmed about whether IceFrog was sheltered by Valve during its hiatus from Dota 2. Rumors of a new project, NEON PRIME, surfaced in October 2022.

Initially, the community speculated that this project would be a CS:GO feature. But later, it was revealed that it could be part of Dota 2.

According to different personalities knowledgeable about Dota 2 and professional players, the return of IceFrog to future game patches would result in significant and decisive improvements.

Header: IceFrog | Valve