Custom background mods [2025]

This guide shows you how to set a custom live wallpaper background to the main menu of your Dota 2 client.

It also offers some samples that I've created.

This is an English guide inspired by this one.

Samples

Note: All the samples provided below are live wallpapers. I have only provided screenshots due to file size limitations.

Windranger Arcana

Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
Launch option: -language windranger

Elden Ring Malenia

Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
Launch option: -language malenia

God of War: Ragnarök

Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
Launch option: -language ragnarok

NieR: Automata 2B

Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
Launch option: -language 2b

The Last of Us II Sunrise

Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
Launch option: -language sunrise

The Last of Us II Sunset

Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
Launch option: -language sunset

The Last of Us II Jungle

Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
Launch option: -language jungle

Ghost of Tsushima

Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
Launch option: -language tsushima

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
Launch option: -language hellblade

Crystal Maiden Persona

Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
Launch option: -language blueheart

Instructions

• Close the game if it's running.
  
• Download the zip file for the background you want.
  
• Extract the zip file.
  
• Copy and past the extracted folder in this location:

  steam\steamapps\common\dota 2 beta\game\

• Enter the launch option to Dota 2 in Steam according to the background you downloaded.
  
• Done. Launch game!

Instructions FAQ

Q. I followed the instructions but the background is not visible.
A. Make sure you close the game and restart after adding the files and launch option.

Q. It's STILL not visible.
A. Make sure the launch option is exactly in this format:

-language <wallpapername>

(e.g. for the windranger background, the launch option should be -language windranger)

Q. It's STILL NOT visible.
A. Make sure the location for the pak01_dir.vpk and pak02_dir.vpk files is exactly in this format:

steam\steamapps\common\dota 2 beta\game\dota_<wallpapername>

(e.g. for the windranger background, the folder name should be dota_windranger with the vpk files directly inside it)

Q. IT'S STILL NOT VISIBLE.
A. Reinstall Windows.

Creating your own background

If you don't like any of the live wallpapers provided above, you can create your own.

Prerequisites

• Software: Shutter Encoder[www.shutterencoder.com]
  
• Software: Source 2 Viewer[valveresourceformat.github.io]
  
• Base files: Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
  
• Final files: Google Drive link[drive.google.com]
  
• The video that you want to set as your background

Converting your background video

• Download and install the software 'Shutter Encoder[www.shutterencoder.com]'. This will allow you to convert your background video into the required .webm format.
  
  
  
• Add your background video to the software and choose the 'VP9' function with the '.webm' format.
  
  
  
• It is absolutely important that the output .webm file is less than 20MB in size. The game will not process a file larger than 20MB and you will get a black screen instead.
  
• Also make sure that the output file is the same resolution as your screen/the resolution at which you run Dota 2.
  
• You may optionally choose to tick the 'Max Quality' setting, which will try to retain the maximum possible quality during conversion. This process takes much longer than usual.
  
• Click on 'Start function' and convert your video.

Preparing the base files

• Download the base files[drive.google.com].
  
• Extract the folder.
  
• Copy and paste your .webm video into the '123' folder.
  
• Rename your video to '123.webm'.
  
  
  
• Leave the 'panorama' folder untouched.

Preparing the final files

• Download and launch the software Source 2 Viewer[valveresourceformat.github.io].
  
  
  
• Go to File -> Create VPK from folder.
  
  
  
• [Optional] Right-click on 'README.txt' and click 'Remove this file'.
  
  
  
• Right-click on 'new.vpk' and click 'Add existing folder'.
  
  
  
• Choose the 'base files' folder that we prepared in the previous section.
  
  
  
• Click 'Yes' or 'Ok' to any prompts that show up.
  
  
  
• This is what the final file/folder layout should look like.
  
  
  
• Right-click on 'new.vpk' and click 'Save VPK to disk'.
  
  
  
• Save the file with the name 'pak01_dir.vpk'.
  
  
  
• Download the final files[drive.google.com].
  
• Extract the zip file.
  
• Copy the 'pak01_dir.vpk' file that we created to the 'dota_background' folder that we just extracted.
  
  
  
• Leave the 'pak02_dir.vpk' file untouched.

Final steps

• Copy the 'dota_background' folder to this location:

  steam\steamapps\common\dota 2 beta\game\

• Enter this launch option to Dota 2 in Steam:

  -language background

• We are done! Launch Dota 2.

General FAQ

Q. Will this get me banned?
A. No, this is just a cosmetic change. It is similar to terrain mods, and doesn't even affect anything in a match.

Q. Are there any drawbacks to this?
A. Yes. Every time you click on the Settings button, you will be met with this popup, which can be annoying for some.


Q. Are there any benefits to this besides getting a fancy background?
A. Yes. The main menu will be lighter and less jittery since it doesn't have any dynamic elements like a new treasure that you can click on.

Q. Can I set a plain black background using this method instead of a live wallpaper?
A. Yes. Create a blank image in Microsoft Paint in your screen's resolution. Next, create a 5-10 second video with this image using any video editor. Then follow the rest of the instructions.

Q. Can I tip you somewhere as a thanks?
A. You may BuyMeACoffee[buymeacoffee.com]