6 comments

» MEDIA (3) DotA floods the custom games of Warcraft III. Old DotA 3.6d's main base. DotA 6.49b's main base (6.49b is the latest DotA.)

Defense of the Ancients… or DotA as it is commonly called on the internets this day and age. Who would’ve known this small seed would’ve grown into the ever-expanding Tree of Life which it is today? Worldwide, DotA has been a hit. Spanning from North America to the smallest island in the Philippines, this game… this map, has flooded the gaming barrier. Who would’ve known such a masterpiece could’ve came from just another mapmaker? Obviously Blizzard didn’t, but the creator of DotA, Eul, knew his idea was going to become something.

So where are we today? Specifically, version-wise, we are in 6.49b as of 11/08/2007. DotA has been updated and revamped time after time, perfecting and improving each and EVERY time. That’s the beauty of this game. The community backed behind it is brilliant, and every little detail pointed out by the community is often found fix within a week or two in the next patch. But what makes this map so special? How did it get so special to spawn tournaments and pro-gaming leagues dedicated to the game?

That question can’t be answered fully until one plays the game. It seems simple enough at first. Pick a hero. Use teamwork and conquer the opposing force. Good vs. evil, or in this case, Sentinel vs. Scourge. But DotA is spectacular in this sense. The simplicity in the concept comes with a unique depth to the actual gameplay. Holding 89 playable characters (which continues to rise every other patch) in the latest map, the game is an endless rampage of clicking goodness. Add in items then factor in “recipes” that allow you to combine items into one powerful object, and you got yourself a never-ending game that keeps you coming back for more and more.

DotA, in a sense, is similar to Warcraft III gameplay... minus the buildings and non-hero units. You carry up to 6 items, level-up your hero, add attributes and technical moves to him, and gank the crap out of the enemy with your teammates. Pure bliss yet so simple. Simplicity in the game comes with that unique and complex depth. Nothing satisfies the player more than ending the killing spree of that lamer player who keeps stealing kills, or setting off a trap with the ever-so-annoying hero, Techies. DotA is the perfect hybrid of strategy, RPG, and teamwork elements any game/mod/map has done to this day.

Sadly, it hasn’t always been this polished. Previous version were extremely lackluster. I attempt to play previous versions only to find me hitting alt+f4 to stop the pain. The good news is that the game has finally been perfected. Or at least you think it is until they release another patch to perfect the perfection even more. Blizzard is in debt to Defense of the Ancients. In no doubt of my mind would I believe this has helped increase Warcraft III sales to a new peak. Now if only there weren’t 24 hours in a day...