Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games have become one of the most popular genres in gaming and esports.
With competitive gameplay that requires solid teamwork, MOBAs have attracted millions of players worldwide.
How did this genre evolve to become one of the most dominant in the world? Let’s explore.
The Origins of the MOBA Genre
The history of MOBA began in 2002 with the release of Aeon of Strife, a custom map created for Blizzard’s StarCraft.
Aeon of Strife laid the foundation for the MOBA genre with gameplay where players controlled a single hero character in battles against another team.
This map emphasized teamwork and controlling a single character, unlike strategy games that required managing multiple units.
Later in 2002, Blizzard released Warcraft 3, which featured a more flexible custom map system.
One of the most popular custom maps from Warcraft 3 was Defense of the Ancients (DotA), inspired by Aeon of Strife.
DotA introduced deeper hero development and more complex game strategies. Its popularity quickly grew, making it the main pioneer of the MOBA genre.
The Rise of DotA and the Start of Esports Tournaments
In 2004, the first DotA tournament, DotA Allstar, was held. This tournament brought together the growing DotA community.
DotA Allstar was held again in 2005 on the DotA-Allstar.com platform before large-scale tournaments became common.
DotA’s fame continued to rise, and in 2009, Riot Games, then an indie developer, released League of Legends (LoL).
LoL was inspired by DotA but featured more modern gameplay and higher accessibility.
Not long after, in 2010, IceFrog collaborated with Valve to release DotA 2, the official successor to the classic DotA.
The Golden Era of MOBA in Esports
The MOBA genre gained more attention with the emergence of major tournaments.
In 2011, League of Legends held its first international tournament with a total prize pool of USD 99,500, attracting teams from various countries.
That same year, Valve held the first The International for DotA 2, with a prize pool of USD 1.6 million, making it the biggest esports tournament of its time.
Over the years, The International continued to set records with increasingly large prize pools, especially The International 2019, which offered over USD 34.3 million.
The success of this tournament made the winning team, OG, one of the highest-earning teams in esports.
The Emergence of Other MOBA Games
The success of DotA 2 and League of Legends spurred the development of new MOBA games.
Titles such as Smite, Vainglory, Heroes of the Storm, and Arena of Valor enriched the genre.
Each game brought unique variations and features that attracted different types of players.
Vainglory, for instance, was designed for mobile devices and became one of the first successful MOBA games on that platform.
The Growth of MOBA on Mobile
In the mid-2010s, mobile gaming trends grew rapidly. Games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang emerged and quickly gained popularity, especially in Southeast Asia.
Mobile Legends featured simplified MOBA gameplay for easier access for mobile players.
Since its release, the game has become one of the most popular, with professional tournaments drawing millions of viewers.
Riot Games also launched League of Legends: Wild Rift for mobile devices in 2020, bringing the League of Legends experience to a more mobile-friendly format.
Popularity and a Strong Fanbase
MOBA has become a highly competitive genre, fostering strong communities worldwide.
League of Legends peaked at over 100 million active players per month in 2016, making it one of the most popular games of all time.
Major tournaments such as The International and the League of Legends World Championship attract millions of viewers, both live and via streaming.
The MOBA genre has evolved significantly since its inception with Aeon of Strife in 2002, becoming one of the main pillars in the modern esports world.
With major tournaments offering millions of dollars in prizes and a wide fanbase, MOBA has proven to be one of the most competitive and entertaining gaming genres in the world.
Games like DotA 2, League of Legends, and Mobile Legends continue to enrich the playing experience, making MOBA a favorite genre for players, both beginners and professionals alike.
