Why You Should be Excited for Manila Major
By Jaime Gonzalo
Why You Should be Excited for Manila Major
DOTA (Defence of the Ancients) is a strategy game developed by Valve. It’s an expansion of Warcraft that ended up getting more attention than Warcraft itself. The game involves two teams of 5 wherein the objective is to protect your base while you try to destroy the other team’s (or Ancient, in DOTA terms). The game requires hours and hours of hard work and dedication to actually be considered any good. This year, the Philippines hosts the first ever DOTA Major in South East Asia. It will host the best teams in the world at the Mall of Asia Arena this June 7-12. The tournament will award the winner with a HUGE grand prize, so expect fireworks. Here are some reasons that should excite you to go see Manila Major this year.
8. It’s More than a Game
Via dualshockers.com
To some people, DOTA is way more than just a game—it’s a way of life. Don’t believe it? Give the DOTA 2 documentary a watch and you’ll change your mind right away. DOTA is unlike any other video game. It actually requires a lot of thinking, practice and skill, unlike other video games. A lot of skill is required to be a successful gamer in DOTA since you will be playing with players of different caliber from all over the world—and that’s just the beginning.
7. DOTA Embodies Strategy
Via youtube.com
Dota is very much like a 5v5 basketball game. Every player has his own role that will eventually help the team reach its ultimate goal of destroying the other team’s “ancient.” Each player must choose a lane to farm in and each lane will serve a specific player better. Players pick from 111 characters with different abilities based on the strategy they wish to enact on their opponent. Still not sold?
6. It Embodies Camaraderie
Via mmobomb.com
All of the teams competing in the Manila Majors have tons of experience. This means that they’ve probably been through thick and thin with their teammates. If you’re going to travel halfway across the world for a video game with your best friends, then winning is going to mean a lot more. In basketball or any other sport, teammates will give their 100% for each other in order achieve their goal of winning—the same goes for DOTA, especially when so much is on the line. Teams that go through a lot end up being like family, and DOTA is no different.
5. The Hype is Real
Via seattlepi.com
Filipinos LOVE DOTA. Walk into any computer shop in any part of the Philippines and you will realize this. They also love to support their local DOTA Heroes. Check out this video of enthusiastic Filipinos cheering on their favorite team’s qualification round! Fair warning: you will end up laughing out loud.
4. It’s the First E-Game to Have such an Audience
Via eslgaming.com
There has yet to be another video game in history to create such a following. Crowds are expected to fill up the Mall of Asia Arena this June 7–12. Successful tournaments around the world have led to this moment. Valve has made the Philippines its third venue for the games, and it surely won’t disappoint thanks to the number of fanatics we have here.
3. The best players in the world will be there
Via reddit.com
It isn’t the Major for nothing. The best teams and the best players in the world will be there to exhibit their mouse and keyboard skills to the Filipino public. Expect loud cheers and jeers when players like Dendi, Light of Heaven and Puppey get on their computers!
2. Team Mineski
Via mineski.net
The Philippine’s own Team Mineski will represent the country in this year’s Major. It is their first time competing on this level–with a win on home soil, they could make history. With exposure and a few more years, the Philippines can be a strong contender in the emerging e-sport that is DOTA.
1. The Insane Cash Prize
Via inquirer.net
The biggest factor of the Majors is the cash prize. 3 million (that’s 141 MILLION in Philippine pesos) will be awarded to the winning team at this year’s Major. That’s a lot of money for a video game, especially in comparison to other sports like bowling, skateboarding, or even fighting inside an octagon! With the incredible amount of money these teams are playing for, you can expect a tight and bloody tournament that will surely have you at the edge of your seat. May the best team win!
What are you looking forward to at Manila Major? Sound off in the comments below!
