How Pudge and other heroes looked before release: 12 TB of Valve data containing early Dota 2 builds leaked
An archive of approximately 12 TB containing data from 2003 to 2013 was leaked from a poorly secured, outdated Valve server.
The leak occurred due to a configuration error in the old infrastructure (Steam2) that Valve used to store and distribute game content during that period.
Specifically, among the files related to Dota 2, old versions of the game client, hero models, map, sound files, and other assets were discovered that were never intended for public viewing.
The models for some characters, such as Lina and Juggernaut, were already very similar to their modern counterparts at that time. Still, some heroes, such as Vengeful Spirit and Shadow Fiend, have changed dramatically. In addition, characters from other games or movies were used as prototypes for some heroes — for example, Sniper from Team Fortress and Skeletor from “Masters of the Universe.”
Placeholders (that temporarily replace elements until the final versions are ready) also deserve special attention. Sometimes developers used memes, sketches, or even works of art for ability icons (for example, Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” served as the icon for the Queen of Pain’s “Scream of Pain” ability).
The archive also contains beta versions, test builds, and content that did not make it into the final releases of games, including Portal 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Half-Life 2: Episode 3, and other Valve projects.
As CyberScore previously reported, Valve awarded prizes for participation in the fantasy league The International 2026.
by CyberScore