Dota 2 is one of the most popular esports on the planet with over seven million monthly active players. The game first came out in 2013 and has done a fantastic job maintaining its popularity despite new games constantly being released. Dota 2 also boasts the biggest esports tournament in the world, known as The International, which consistently has a 10-figure prize pool. In this article, we are going to look at the top reasons why Dota 2 is such a popular esport.
1. Dota 2 is Free
Dota 2 was one of the first high-quality games to go for the freemium model. The game is 100 per cent free to download, and all characters and features are available. You also can’t pay money to level up your character or give yourself a strategic advantage, unlike other freemium games. The way Dota 2 makes money is by selling cosmetic items which alter the appearance of your character. However, these do not improve your character’s abilities, so paid, and free players are on equal footing.
2. Dota 2 Has Engaging Gameplay
Dota 2 is a challenging and exciting game that keeps experienced players coming back for more. At the same time, the learning curve is not overly steep, so new players do not feel overwhelmed playing. Valve has done an amazing job finding a balance that appears to veteran Dota 2 players and newbies.
3. It is So Much Fun to Watch
Some games are incredibly fun to play but boring to watch. Dota 2 is a rare kind of esport that is super exciting to watch and play. The 2021 International was watched by a staggering 100 million people. Dota 2 could only draw such a massive viewership if it was a viable spectator sport.
4. Dota 2 is a Team Game
Dota 2 is a 5v5 multiplayer online battle arena game. The team aspect adds a social element to the game which is a big hit with gamers. There is nothing more fun than playing with your Dota 2 buddies and chatting online as you beat up the opposing team. Also, if you look at traditional sports, it’s typically team sports that tend to be the most popular such as football, basketball, and American football.
5. It is Popular Among Online Gamblers
As there are so many different Dota 2 tournaments and the game is exciting to watch it has attracted interest from gamblers. These gamblers represent a new fan base and have led to many online betting sites investing in pro-Dota 2 teams and tournaments. These investments have compounded the growth of the game and helped ensure it stays one of the top esports.
Final Thoughts
Dota 2 is an amazing game that is almost the perfect esport. The MOBA is incredibly fun to play and is just as exciting to watch. This esport isn’t going anywhere, and you just need to look at the viewership stats to see that Dota 2 is only getting more popular!
