In the early 2000s, a simple fan-made map called Defense of the Ancients, or DOTA, reshaped gaming forever. In this episode, we trace how a Warcraft III mod evolved into the foundation of the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena genre. We explore how hobbyist creators like Eul, Guinsoo, and IceFrog built on each other’s ideas to turn a small community project into a global esports phenomenon. Our conversation dives into the rise of DOTA Allstars, the birth of League of Legends and DOTA 2, and how this grassroots experiment transformed into a billion-dollar competitive scene. Join us as we rally our heroes and push the lanes through DOTA’s incredible journey on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.
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A Trip Down Memory Card Lane