Dota 2 players logging into the game after the January 29 update were met with an unexpected surprise: their ‘S’ key seemingly malfunctioning. But it wasn’t a hardware issue—it was Valve’s latest Year of the Snake Easter egg.
A Slithery Surprise: Valve’s Year of the Snake Prank
As part of the update introducing the Charms of the Snake treasure, Valve sneaked in a serpentine-themed joke. Players using the in-game chat quickly noticed that pressing the ‘S’ key resulted in extra ‘S’ characters appearing—turning a simple message into a hissing mess.
A Reddit post humorously titled “Sssssomeone at Valve isssssss ssssso clever” gained traction, showcasing players bewildered by the unexpected change. Initially, many thought their keyboards were malfunctioning before realizing they had fallen victim to Valve’s latest in-game prank.
Sssssomeone at Valve isssssss ssssso clever
byu/LittleOddity24 inDotA2
The Controversy: Untradeable Ultra-Rare Sets
While the joke amused much of the community, the update also introduced a significant change that has not been well received: ultra-rare sets from the new treasure are now untradeable.
Historically, these exclusive skins could be sold on the Steam Market, allowing players to recover some of the money spent on chests. The removal of this feature has left many fans frustrated, fearing that this could be Valve’s new approach to future cosmetic releases.
Crownfall’s Final Act & Hopes for a New Patch
With the final chapter of Crownfall winding down, the Dota 2 community is eagerly awaiting a major gameplay update, expected around February 6. Players hope this patch will bring much-needed balance changes and shake up the current meta.
Image via Valve.
Final Toughts
For now, though, the only new addition to Dota 2 is Valve’s snake-themed prank—leaving some players laughing and others hissing in frustration.