A real-time strategy developer working at Valve? That, actually would explain some things. In an announcement to community members, “IceFrog,” the well known developer who has been working on the Warcraft 3 mod called Defense of the Ancients, is not only working at Valve but is leading a team. “I finally have all the resources needed to do some very exciting stuff that you guys will love. I look forward to revealing more specific details when the time is right,” he said in his message to DotA players.

The project will apparently continue to focus around Defense of the Ancients as IceFrog writes, “My goal and top priority in the future is to solve the surrounding issues that affect the DotA experience in order to allow it to reach new heights. Addressing these issues will enable us to further enjoy aspects of DotA such as the gameplay, mechanics, and in-game feel that currently work well and ought to be maintained. As I’ve said many times in the past and especially after today’s developments, I am very excited about DotA’s future!”

Could that explain the desire to make an RTS-style MMO that Gabe Newell hinted at awhile back? Regardless, DotA-style games are hot right now so a little bit of MMO action in a DotA would make for something very interesting.