Valve releases standalone version of Auto Chess called Dota Underlords Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Valve releases standalone version of Auto Chess called Dota Underlords Mate… News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Updated on 14 Jun 2019 20 comments Valve has released a new game - Dota Underlords. Dota Underlords is the company's standalone take on the Auto Chess explosion - and is sparked by the hugely popular Dota Auto chess mod for Dota 2. Like Dota Auto Chess, Dota Underlords doesn't really have anything to do with chess, except it's played out on a board. Like Dota Auto Chess, Dota Underlords pits you against seven opponents and involves building, combining and leveling up a crew of characters from the Dota universe. Round after round you buy new characters, discover powerful items, deploy them on the board and watch the combat play out automatically. It's not about twitch reflexes. Rather, this is a considered turn-based strategy game in which you can sit back and watch the action play out. Currently, Dota Underlords is limited to those with a Dota 2 Battle Pass. The idea is Valve stress tests its servers as it prepares for an open beta (currently set for next week). The previous version lets you play online against seven other players, practice offline against bots and play co-op against bots or other players in a party. "We're sharing Dota Underlords fairly early in development," Valve said in a blog post calling for feedback. The Auto Chess genre is very much the next big thing in the world of gaming. League of Legends developer Riot has unveiled its own version, called Teamfight Tactics. Drodo Studio, the creator of the Dota 2 mod, is working on a standalone Auto Chess game coming exclusively to the Epic Games store. Who's next? Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 5 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store