Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Games

Read more about Dota 2 and how to get a beta key: DotA 2

Dota 2 is the sequel to the insanely popular Warcraft 3 Mod: Defense of the Ancients. In 2009, IceFrog was hired by Valve to start working on it. Since then, it has been released in a closed beta state for testing with around 30,000 peak players per day.

Even though it hasn't been fully released, it has still had a huge competitive scene with tournaments such as 'The International', 'joinDOTA Masters', 'jeeDota' championship and many others.

Currently, Dota has a huge cult following in some of the Asian countries - expect to see this game become the most popular eSport in the 2 years!

If you haven't already played it I suggest you try it!

Website: Dota 2 Development Blog
Release Date: Q3 2012

League of Legends (abbreviated; LoL) is also another stand-alone game like HoN that was inspired by the DotA mod for Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. Developed by Riot Games, it was released on October 27th, 2009 for Microsoft Windows. The term MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) was introduced by one of the LoL development staff.

The development team consists of members such as Steve 'Guinsoo' Feak , the previous developer behind DotA-Allstars, a continuation of the legacy that Eul left behind. Also, Steve 'Pendragon' Mescon, administrator of the official support base when Guinsoo was developing the DotA map, is also a part of the Riot game development team.

Just like Heroes of Newerth, the team at Riot games attempted to take LoL a step further then the DotA map. This was primarily achieved through: Automated matchmaking, Reconnect tool, New Champions (also known as heroes), Stat Tracking, Built-in Surrender functionality, improved in-game GUI, Account level progression (summoner system), Improved Mini-Map, Multiple Game Maps & an In-game tutorial.

The features in italics are unique aspects of LoL that take the MOBA genre further then any of the other games such as HoN or DotA have done.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X (In development)
Official Website: League of Legends

Defense of the Ancients (DotA) is the most popular custom map/modification for Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (expansion). It is based on the 'Aeon of Strife' map for Starcraft 1 and has paved the way for a whole new genre of gaming. Throughout the evolution of the custom map/modification, there has been 3 main developers:

Eul: Originally developed the map on Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and ceased development when the expansion, The Frozen Throne was released by Blizzard. Very little is known about Eul and what he went on to do in later life.

Guinsoo: Continued the map development after Eul departed and this particular version was called: DotA: Allstars. He left off development after the 6.00 release to go on and create League of Legends

IceFrog: Started development of the map in 6.01. Most likely hailed as the best DotA developer thus far, his efforts have been noticed and he has been hired by Valve to create DotA 2 with them.

About the Gameplay:

Two teams go head to head in an epic battle of Sentinel vs. Scourge. The player controls a singular hero and the map supports up to 10 players with 5 versus 5 being the common team line-up. The idea behind the map is to invade the enemies base and destroy either "The World Tree" or "The Frozen Throne" depending on your alliance, with the player controlled heroes being assisted by both computer controlled units and towers.

Unlike generic RTS games; resource gathering is replaced by a combat orientated loot system where players gain gold by killing enemy heroes, towers, creeps and neutral units. XP is also provided from these battles resulting in heroes being able to level from 1 to 25 to allow for the use of extra unlockable skills.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X
Official Website: PlayDota
Map Download Page: GetDota (Map Version 6.71b Download)

Heroes of Newerth (abbreviated; HoN) is arguably DoTA 2.0. S2 games realised how limited the Warcraft III engine was and wanted to recreate DotA as a stand-alone game with a new engine. After asking permission from IceFrog, Heroes of Newerth was created. Nearly exactly the same as DotA, it has basically been ported to a new engine with superior graphics, new item/hero names as well as new content being introduced all the time to further expand on the universe originally created by DotA!

There are currently 64 heroes available to play in Heroes of Newerth, the majority of these heroes have a direct correlation to heroes in DotA but many more new ones are currently being introduced.

Due to being unrestricted by the game engine, S2 games has implemented many non-gameplay features that the Warcraft III engine was lacking such as: Player Reconnection Tool, Leaver Protection, In-Game VOIP, Match-Making, Stat Tracking, Ladder Rankings, Re-Bindable Hotkeys and many more great features to improvde the users gaming experience! These features really distinguish Heroes of Newerth from DotA!

Heroes of Newerth currently requires a one time $30 fee to play the game.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X
Official Website: Heroes of Newerth

Land of Chaos Online (Abbreviation: LOCO) is a unique breed of MOBA that blends a third person view with that of an FPS and RTS atmosphere. As is the case with other MOBA games, the objective in LOCO is to travel down lanes whilst destroying towers to gain victory by finally defeating the other team's main structure in their base. You can either choose to battle for the Forces of Nature or the dreaded Army of Purgatorium.

One of the unique points of the game that makes it original in this gaming genre is the ability to choose a different path of skills for the individual hero. In most MOBA games you are made to select your skills in a linear fashion whereas Land of Chaos Online allows you to choose which path your hero will take with multiple different skills and two ultimate skills rather than one to choose from.

There are multiple different game modes and maps available with various customizations that can be made such as playing with teams of 8 or even 10 and more to wage war on large scales never before seen in other MOBA games.

In addition to this, the third person perspective makes the game play far more fast paced compared to League of Legends or Heroes of Newerth. If you like FPS games and the reaction speeds that are required, this MOBA is definitely the one for you!

Official Website: Land of Chaos Online

SMITE, is a free to play online battleground of the gods. Inspired by the DotA genre, it features a unique 3rd-person view throwing you right into the action. Players get the option to choose from a number of mythological gods, each with their own special powers. This is a game that will redefine team orientated PvP.

Differing from other ARTS/MOBA games, there is no auto attack mechanism. SMITE borrows heavily from hack 'n' slash type game play where you have to click to swing your sword or cast an ability. You currently get two abilities and two passives. Players are rewarded far more gold for killing other players than compared to minions - indicating that PvP is the priority in this game.

Game play is extremely fast paced and matches last for around 20-30 minutes in SMITE. Definitely a game to look out for! Check out the SMITE Gameplay Video from PAX 2011.

Sign up for beta: SMITE Official Website
Connect with Facebook: SMITE Facebook Page

Monday Night Combat (MNC) is a fusion of FPS shooters like Team Fortress 2 and MOBA games like DotA. The art style and gameplay is reminiscent of Team Fortress 2 ,whilst the objectives and victory conditions are derived from the MOBA gaming genre.

MNC is the first MOBA game to cater for a platform other than the PC. Monday Night Combat was originally released on the XBOX 360 and as of January 24th, 2011, is also available for digital download from the Steam platform - Buy Monday Night Combat on Steam

Fans of Team Fortress 2 & League of Legends will definitely appreciate the art style that possesses a similar cartoon atmosphere and feel like the MOBA heavyweight, League of Legends created by Riot Games.

Monday Night Combat currently has a GameRankings score of 79.37%, a score of 79/100 on Metacritic and 8/10 from IGN.

Official Website: Monday Night Combat

Crasher is a new breed of MOBA game that is currently in development. It is the first MOBA game to feature fast-paced vehicular combat! Standout features of this game include:

• Currently 5 unique vehicles with six different classes implemented
  
• Consists of over 80 unique skills
  
• Features 5v5 match-ups of players in League mode or Crasher Battle Arena mode
  
• Experience points awarded based on player actions and team achievements during the match
  
• Purchasable and available for download on the Steam platform
  
• In game ladder rankings and achievements on Steam.
  
• Customize skills and weapons as you level up.
  
• A unique combat system that blends action, arcade driving and strategy to create the ultimate vehicular MOBA game!
  
• Uses a completely 3D Engine (UNITY)
  

Visit the official Facebook page to learn more: 'Crasher' by Punchers Impact Facebook Page
Website: Crasher The Game
Purchase Crasher for $29.99 USD: Crasher on Steam