It is often a quirk of gaming that players in certain locations tend to be drawn to the game. It is sometimes impossible to pin down why this is. Lots of tech-savvy nations are into esports and there are locations we think of when we think Dota or other esports titles.
Asia is definitely going to be springing into a lot of people’s minds as they read this. It is the home of a lot of esports and most people who know anything about esports know Dota is huge there. However, there are other locations where Dota has tens of thousands of fans.
Australia – LAN Down Under
Not everybody realizes that there is a big scene for playing Dota 2 as well as watching the pro tournaments. The Australia entertainment news scene featured Dota 2 in recent years when players from the country represented Australia in some huge international tournaments. Players including XemistrY were in the team that went to games including the GEG or global esports games in the last few years.
Pro player Ana has also helped to boost the reputation and build some interest in the country as he is one of the highest-earning esports stars involved in the game. Estimates say he’s made around $6 million from the top tournaments he has participated in.
There are specific Australia servers and LAN events where Dota 2 can be played in Oz and we see a huge number of fans in the country as a result. Australia is also relatively close (Australia is a long way from most countries) to some of the parts of Asia where Dota is biggest so there is an influence there.
Southeast Asia – A Hotbed for Dota 2 Enthusiasts
Southeast Asia (SEA) is one of the most vibrant regions for Dota 2 and has a fanatical following that is deeply integrated into local gaming culture. Cybercafes have long been central hubs for gamers in these countries and their job is making multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like Dota 2 incredibly accessible. Dota’s leaderboard even has a specific spot for Southeast Asian players.
The game is almost a household name in the Philippines. Filipino players are known for their incredible skills and often participate in community-driven tournaments boasting local stars like Djardel “DJ” Mampusti. Malaysia also enjoys a rich history of Dota 2, producing some of the game’s most renowned players including Chai “Mushi” Yee Fung and Chong “MidOne” Xin Khoo who have made a successful journey to play elsewhere in the world including in Europe. Their success really epitomizes Southeast Asia’s strong connection with the game.
SEA players are celebrated not only for their talent but for bringing a unique Dota playstyle that often contrasts with the more conservative approaches seen in other regions. The popularity of the game in this region is fueled by both a huge gaming culture and a thriving esports scene. The region sees some big tournaments and teams and fans alike invest significant time and energy into watching.
Western Europe
Western Europe has long been a major player in the world of Dota 2 with countries like Sweden and Germany producing some of the game’s best teams and players. Team Secret, OG, and Alliance all left their mark on the game. OG famously became the first team to win back-to-back Internationals in 2018 and 2019.
Western Europe is home to some of the most storied organizations in esports, and Dota 2 is no exception. Swedish player Jonathan “Loda” Berg and Finnish player Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen are just a few examples of legendary figures who have contributed to the region’s success. Western European fans can’t seem to get enough so the region often hosts major tournaments that draw huge international viewership.
China
Audiences who know their stuff about technology exist all over Asia and China is another key region where Dota 2 has a significant following. Esports in general are incredibly popular in the country and Dota 2 has a special appeal to Chinese gamers. The competitive scene in China is highly organized and sees top-tier organizations like Invictus Gaming doing their thing at the highest level. Chinese teams have historically been some of the strongest in the International and they are regularly seen as contenders for the Aegis of Champions.
Conclusion
One beautiful thing about Dota and a lot of other esports is the fact that it can be played anywhere with an internet connection. This means that players have options to join more servers and test their abilities. It also makes it a lot easier to potentially follow the big events and esports tournaments. In 2024 there have been times when Dota 2 had almost one million concurrent players at peak times which just goes to show the immense popularity of the game.
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