Dota X Secures Strategic Investment from Valve and Chiliz Labs, Accelerating Web3 Gaming and Digital Payment Ecosystem Development

Led by the Web3 division of Valve Corporation and co-developed by the original Dota 2 creative team along with top-tier Web3 developers, the AAA-grade metaverse game Dota X has announced the completion of its strategic funding round. Investors include Valve Corporation (the parent company of Steam) and Chiliz Labs. The funds will be used to expand Dota X’s Web3 gaming ecosystem and to promote its in-game payment solution built on the Chiliz Chain.

An Epic Web3 Game is Born: A Decade of IP Meets Blockchain Innovation

As Valve’s first flagship blockchain game project, Dota X achieves three major breakthroughs on top of classic MOBA gameplay:

1. Next-Gen Graphics x NFT Asset Integration:
   Powered by the Source 2 engine and enhanced with 4K ray-traced rendering, all in-game heroes and equipment exist as dynamic NFTs. Skill usage triggers unique particle effects and on-chain ownership validation.
2. Decentralized Economic System:
   Players earn $DOC tokens through a “battle mining” mechanism. These tokens can be used to trade NFT assets directly on the Steam marketplace, forming a value loop of “in-game combat → on-chain confirmation → platform circulation.”
3. Cross-Platform Metaverse Architecture:
   Supports VR integration for interstellar battlefield experiences. A virtual land system allows players to build personalized arenas using $DOC tokens and host on-chain esports events.
   
   

Strategic Synergy: Accelerating Steam’s Web3 Transition

Valve’s investment is viewed as a key move in its Web3 strategy:

1. Tech Integration:
   Steam Workshop will integrate Dota X’s “one-click NFT minting tool,” enabling over 12 million developers to seamlessly bring their creative assets on-chain.
2. Payment Innovation:
   A cross-chain bridge between Steam Wallet and Chiliz Chain is scheduled for Q3 2025, allowing users to purchase in-game items directly using Chiliz-based assets.
3. Compliance Breakthrough:
   Leveraging Valve’s European payment licenses, the game will offer fiat on/off ramps for NFT trading, ensuring regulatory alignment.

Ecosystem Collaboration: Sports & Entertainment Synergy with Chiliz Labs

Chiliz Labs will empower Dota X through its extensive sports and entertainment network:

1. Fan Economy Upgrade:
   Players can redeem NFT weapons earned in-game for limited edition fan tokens from top-tier esports teams such as OG.
2. Interoperable Event Assets:
   Major sports events—such as the UEFA Champions League Final—will offer ticket NFTs via blind boxes in the game marketplace, usable in both virtual and physical scenarios.
3. On-Chain Advertising System:
   Brands can distribute interactive advertising NFTs via Chiliz Chain, rewarding players with game tokens upon engagement.
   
   

Industry Impact & Future Roadmap

Following this funding round, Dota X has surpassed a valuation of $1 billion and revealed the following milestones:

1. Technical Roadmap:
   In Q2 2025, the game will launch its on-chain weapon forging system, allowing players to consume Chiliz-based assets to synthesize evolving NFT equipment.
2. Ecosystem Expansion:
   A multi-chain asset interoperability protocol will go live, with Chiliz Chain providing full technical support as a strategic partner.
3. Regulatory Layout:
   Dota X is currently applying for a VASP license in Luxembourg and aims to achieve payment compliance across 50 countries by 2026.

Dan Ives, Analyst at Wedbush Securities, commented:
“This marks a deep fusion between AAA gaming and blockchain. Valve’s engine capabilities, combined with Chiliz’s fan economy model, could give rise to the first Web3 gaming platform to surpass 100 million users.”