Parents' Guide to Popular Games in Singapore
Game: Defense Of The Ancients (DotA)
Platform: PC
Game Genre: Action/RPG/RTS Hybrid
ESRB Rating: Teen (Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne)
MDA Rating: Approved
GENERAL GAMEPLAY
DOTA is probably the most enduring and popular game amongst teenage boys in Singapore.
The game is unique as a competitive team game played over LAN or the internet
and runs on the immensely popular Warcraft3 game platform ().
(DOTA is customized and programmed by an independent or groups of
independent programmers who do it for free. Inputs for changes are often
highlighted by the gaming community and are taken very seriously by the programmers
– it has a very strong community following and support. This is a good example of
a game that is "made by the masses, for the masses".)
The game consists of 10 players split into 2 teams – the Sentinel and the Scourge, that
are located on 2 different ends of the map. Players get to select a "Hero" with unique abilities
to play. The objective of both teams is to break through the defenses of their opponents,
reach their castle that is located in the center of their base and destroy it in order to win the game.
()
(The defenses of each side comes in the form of strategically located towers and
waves of units (known as creeps or mobs) that will spawn from the base and walk
towards the other while guarding the main paths that lead to their base.)
A player chooses his hero from more than 90+ types (each one with different tactical advantages
and abilities) and tries to obtain "experience points" and game "money" to upgrade his "hero" and
become powerful. This helps a player to beat his opponents in battle.
THINGS PARENTS SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR
- Potentially undesirable influence from gaming community ()
DOTA is mostly played with other human players. When there is interaction with other players,
young children often encounters players with different values and ethics. It is common to
find taunting, degrading remarks and foul language in the game.
- Time spent ()
One full DOTA game can last anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes and it is usually very
disrupting for the gamer and his team to have to stop halfway through the game. Parents
may want to note that it is common for gamers to play 2-3 games at least in one sitting.
The depth of gameplay also makes every DOTA game different from the previous and there
are many heroes, items and abilities to experiment with. As such, players do not get
bored easily and remain interested and challenged for a long time.
- Bullying & Poor "Gamesmanship" ()
A competitive game such as DOTA always gives an ego-boost to winners and those who are
proficient. It is not uncommon for players to “look down” on newer players and make
degrading comments about them. The blame-game is also when one loses. In general,
all the potential negatives interactions in a highly-competitive team game may be
present when your child plays.
WAYS IN WHICH IT CAN WORK FOR GOOD
- Teamwork & Leadership ()
Due to the team orientated nature of the game, every Hero or item decision counts in
overall outcome of the game. In team battles where all 5 Heroes on the team will fight
it out with the 5 Heroes on the other, players need to adapt a “one for all, all for one”
mentality. Mistakes are inevitable and players will learn from it.
Players are not able to play alone and carry the team to a victory with the exception of
certain Heroes and an adequately large amount of gold resources.
This will usually mean that there will have to be someone at the helm of the team accessing
the situation and giving instructions.
- Resilience and Perseverance ()
Competitive team games like DOTA can a very useful platform to learn how to handle winning
and losing. The gamer has to persevere in order to succeed.
A child may learn not to give up when things are not going his way and continuing to work
hard towards his game goals (however, a proper balance has to be struck between this and time
invested into the game too.)
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