Ah, the internet... Nothing ever stays secret if you're plugged in. Valve, having had a busy weekend, already know this but had a reminder when screenshots from an early beta of DotA 2 were leaked from a Chinese source and the published on NeoGAF forums.

It's entirely possible the leak is no accident given that the big reveal of DotA 2 is to come at the Gamescom expo in Germany between August 17th and 24th. What better way to get publicity?

Well, actually, perhaps having a tournament where the triumphant team will win $1 million isn't a bad start, so such cheap manipulation of the public is probably uncalled for. That and the fact that DotA 2 remains one of the most highly anticpated releases of the year.

Enough jibber jabber and speculation. Here's a couple of the screenshots for you to gawk at:






If you want to see more, the NeoGAF forums link still has most of them on display, even if there is speculation that they could be fake. Guess we'll find out this weekend at Gamescom.

Source: NeoGAF forums