How does dota 2 actually work?

[StevieP]

I got given a free gift of Dota 2 by another member yesterday but when I boot into it, it tells me that I only have a "spectator only" version of the game!!??!!??

Is it "out" yet or have I done something wrong??

 

[StevieP]

Thanks for the replies guys!

The gift said it had already been redeemed but since it said I already owned the game that it had worked OK!

I guess not!?!?

 

[StevieP]

This is weird, the link to redeem the free gift on Steam definitely says it has already been redeemed but when I search for the game on Steam it does say I already own it but when I run it it still just says I have the spectator version!?!?

Is there anything I have to do in-game to activate it???