You have all heard, no doubt, about something called beta testing, right? Essentially, the beta phase of any video game development is when a video game gets tested by a select, few people to make sure that, when you and I get it, everything in said game is running totally smoothly. In other words, a beta phase of a video game is necessary so that you and I are not swearing when we get the game, and we have to find all the bugs instead of the beta testers! So even though Dota 2 release is still unknown at this point—except that it is going to be in 2012, sometime—that can still be a good thing. Here is why.

According to sources like Euro Gamer, DOTA 2 is currently in its closed beta phase stage of development. This means that this game is having any bugs and performance as well as speed issues worked on by the group of select game testers. Now, while I would clearly want this game out right now so that I can play it to my heart’s content, I know that it is more responsible to do what the Valve Corporation (the game’s developer) is doing with the closed beta test. I mean, let us assume for a second that the developer was not this accountable to all the fans of this game. In that scenario, the Valve Corporation would release DOTA 2 prematurely, but it would fail to make sure all bugs are discovered and eliminated. In turn, this would mean that, yes, while you and I would be able to play it right now, the game would likely be full of bugs, which would kill our enjoyment of it anyway! So you see, even though the Dota 2 release is still not definite—that is a good thing. Better to be safe than sorry, right?

What can you do while you are waiting on this game, you might ask? Simple: Just hone on your Dota skills until the developer makes an official Dota 2 release announcement! With Dota 2 Ownage System on your arson, you are going to acquire a deeper understanding of every hero, master the art of ganking, last hit with devastating accuracy and crush your opponent with superior map control!

Yes, I feel your pain. Yes, it is a crying shame that the Dota 2 release is not definite and only sometime in 2012. However, this is for a very good reason: to make sure that you can enjoy this fantasy action strategy video game without any glitches when it is released. Surely, waiting just a little bit longer is totally worth it, no? Of course it is. So until we do get a definite release date, just sit back, hone your skills and think of how much fun it will be to completely dominate DOTA 2!