Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video games are a fan favourite of many gamers. When one takes a close look at such games, it becomes crystal clear why many gamers are attracted to multiplayer online battle arena games. The prospect of claiming as many lives as possible while doing all things necessary to survive and remain alive makes MOBA games enticing, thrilling and immersive! One such game that players can look forward to when looking to enjoy an enticing, thrilling and immersive MOBA game is Dota 2.
Dota 2 was released in 2013 by Valve as a sequel to the Defense of the Ancients (DotA) game. The objective when playing Dota 2 is to defend and protect the ‘Ancients ‘ – ‘Ancients’ herein referring to a base that’s controlled by the player and his team. Two sets of teams face off when playing Dota 2, each of which consisting of five players. all of the players in this game assume the role of a hero, a character possessing unique abilities and differing styles of play that all help in protecting and defending his team’s ‘Ancients’.
As players play Dota 2, they get to earn some experience points as well as hero items. Heroes in this game are classified into two distinct categories that is, Cores (Carries) and Supports. Cores start off the game as weak and vulnerable. However, they strengthen as the game carries on and possess the ability to carry their team to victory. Supports on the other hand possess largely functionality and utility abilities such as healing powers to Cores that help them quickly get back on feet and carry their teams to victory.
Dota 2 as an eSport
The exciting gameplay of Dota 2 has made it a highly popular game not just to casual gamers but also to pro players. On the eSports scene, Dota 2 is regarded as the most lucrative sport owing to its crowd funded prize money system whose amounts at times eclipse the $30 million mark! The premium Dota 2 professional tournament is The International which commands a huge prize pool. The International runs at the end of the year but there are various Dota 2 leagues that run throughout the year leading up to The International. Below we highlight the major Dota 2 professional leagues and tournaments running for 2021.
Dota 2 Major Tournaments for 2021 (All events online unless otherwise stated)
- ESL Meisterschaft Spring 2021: 1 March to 9 May
- Moon Studio Spring Trophy: 15 March to 11 April
- Gold Bull Horns: 7 March to 26 March
- Oceanic eSports League – Season 3: 3 February to 23 April
- OSD Summer Dock League: 8 March to 29 March 17
- FroggedTV League Season 7: 21 February to 11 April
- LPL Pro 2021 Season 1: 15 February to 12 April
- Octaexon League Season 3: 8 February to 31 March 17
- I-League 2021 Closed Qualifier: 22 March to 31 March
- ONE eSports Singapore Major 2021: 25 March to 3 April – Prize Pool ($500 000) – Venue – Singapore
- Dota Pro Circuit 2021 Season 2: April 25 – Ongoing till year end – Prize Pool ($1 680 000)
- DPC 2021 Season 2 North America Lower Division: April 12 – Ongoing till year end – Prize Pool ($75 000)
- DPC 2021 Season 2 Europe: April 12 – Ongoing till year end – Prize Pool ($205 000)
- OGA DPC 2021 Season 2 South America: April 12 – Ongoing till year end – Prize Pool ($205 000)
- DPC 2021 Season 2 Southeast Asia Upper Division: April 12 – Ongoing till year end – Prize Pool ($205 000)
- DPC 2021 Season 2 North America: April 12 – Ongoing till year end – Prize Pool ($205 000)
- OEDL Fall Invitational: April 19 – Prize Pool ($13 500)
- Russian Championship 2021: May 1 – Ongoing for 1 month – Prize Pool ($20 500)
- The International X: August 15 – Ongoing for 4 months – Prize Pool ($40 018 195)