new and improved World Editor.

This new toolprovided map-makers far more

options forcustomizing items, skills, models, tiles, etc (Feak, 2009).Utilizing
these newly released tools, manyspinoffs of the original DotA were created
with vastlysuperior sets of features, including the first versions ofSteve
"Guinsoo" Feak's Defense of the Ancients:Allstars which is the focus of this
postmortem. Guinsoooriginally began development on DotA Allstarsbecause
he was frustrated with bugs and balanceissues in the version of DotA that
was most prominentat the time (Feak, 2007).Contrary to popular belief, DotA
started onReign of Chaos before the expansion, The FrozenThrone came out.
It was based on the custom map"Aeon of Strife" from Starcraft, a team game
focusingon hero combat. There have been many differentversions of DotA,
but only one shines, IceFrog's DotAAllstars. Since then DotA has come a long
way, fromterrain changes, balances, bug fixes, new heroes, newitems and
graphics, IceFrog does it all (Neha, 2007).To do all of the changes, IceFrog
built a newcommunity site where everyone can suggest andcontribute
contents that can help him develop thecustom map. Now, you can choose
over 100 heroesand choose from over 50 items to equip.
My goal is to have a format where everyone that wants to help can
contribute in a productive way.

-IceFrog, 2009.As a computer game player, there areseveral reasons why I

decided to make thisresearch paper. First, the culture of DOTA affectsthe
people concerned. Second, there is only fewresearch papers published about
this topic. Third, Iwanted to know more about its culture. Fourth, I amalso
playing DOTA. Lastly, I wanted to share all myknowledge to all the people
involved in the cultureof DOTA in the Philippines.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
he following diagram determines the flow ofideas in this research paper, to
enable thereader to keep track of what he/she isreading about. Hierarchical
representation is used tobreak down the main topic into several
subtopics,from general to specific topics.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
his research paper is very important to readbecause playing DOTA in the
country is verypopular. Second, this paper gives criticalknowledge about the
topic to the reader. Third, it haswide target audience; any people are suitable
toread this paper to understand what the topic is allabout. Fourth, the topic is
fresh and modern.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

DOTA (Defense of the Ancients)

a custom map
game for Warcraft III; released in 2003 by Eul.

Custom map

is a game that you can modify itsfeatures using World Editor.

Computer shops

are places that contain computerunits that you can rent for surfing the net
orgaming. Some shops utilize cubicles for theprivacy of their users. Some
shops sell computersoftware, hardware or offer repair services.
The Culture ofDOTA in thePhilippinesThe Backgroundand Origin ofthe
GameInvention,Production andGameplayHow DOTAattracts theFilipino youth?
Playing DOTAin an informalsettingPlaying withothers and incomputer
shops'Trash talking'and
'pustahan'
inDOTA

DOTA inPhilippinetournamentsGenderexclusivity ofplaying DOTADOTA

InvasionArts and MusicInternet &SocialNetworking'Pinoy' DOTALingoHow
DOTAaffects theFilipino youth?Physically &PsychologicallyStudy
careerCommitments &RelationshipsWork
TT

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ANDSTUDIES

ccording to Kevin Tok (in playing the game),two bases are placed on opposite
corners ofthe map. Three lanes branch out from thebases, and armies for
both sides will spawn alongthese lanes at intervals. The Sentinels are the
redNight Elf based team located on the bottom left, andtheir opponents are
the Scourge, the green Undeadteam located on the top right of the map. Both
sidesare vying to destroy the

Ancient

of the other; theWorld Tree is the Sentinel Ancient, and the FrozenThrone is
the Scourge
Ancient. Based on Toks study,
he explains the concept, the gameplay, the elementsof the game, and its
objective.Punit Lodaya, a game expert, describes thebase consisting of
towers and unit-producing ancients.
The units (referred to as creeps in game
s) areproduced automatically on a regular basis, and they
go to have a direct clash with the opponents units,
and the first fight usually starts at the center of themap. In addition, players
get to control a special unitcalled Heroes, who are stronger than normal units
andhave special abilities. Each team can have a maximumof 5 players.
Lodaya provided a more detaileddescription of the game, its elements, and
how manyplayers are involved.Another interesting study about playing
thegame is from Michael Waldbridge. He regarded
playing DOTA as an underground revolution.
He
said that DOTA is likely the most popular and most
-discussed free, non-supported game mod in the world,
judging by the numbers. He said that

like any othergame, the concept is simple and its strategy.

Thestrategy focuses on levelling, getting hero kills,

pushing the enemys base with allied creeps and
defending against the enemies
.

DOTA is a delight to all who play it; its

surprisinglyaddictive and even pastiche, mixing the highs and lows
of gaming and gaming culture. DOTAs quirks,governments, outlaws, and
innovation show us that its
much easier to renovate for the masses when the massesare involved. The
vision of one leader alone is required,
but never sufficient.

-Michael Waldbridge, 2008.According to JV Aquino, playing the gameserves as

a platform for youth to communicate.
Teenagers who dont know initially each other can
easily become friends through playing the game,because it provides a
common topic for the teenagersto talk about. They can discuss the heroes,
the items,and the tactics.
Nair Neha argues that It has been widely
accepted that in playing the game, the team winsrather the individuals.
Competitive DOTA is acompletely different world in comparison to casualplay,
to a more extreme unlike less complex games.Because of this, it is much
more interesting to watch.Teams always come up with innovative strategies
andsometimes pull off amazing moves in matches thatpeople have never
even thought was possible. To theDOTA Community, that is spectator value,
the
complexity. Neha gives a critical analysis of how
DOTA has been evolving for several years. He showsthat playing the game

requires not only greatteamwork and communication, but also

creativenessand critical thinking on every aspect of the game. He
also noted that DOTA is an evolving game because it
is constantly being reworked and it changes
constantly.
These studies show concrete evidences whythe game is very popular in our
country. Aside frombeing a strategy game, it is the game for the masses.The
people are not only playing the game, but alsothey are helping the
developers to improve the game.The final output of the game comes from the
creativeand innovative minds of computer gamers all over theworld; that is
its very big difference among any othergames. Another factor why this game
is become
popular is the fact that it
s free to play; you do nothave to pay anything except if you are renting a
unitin computer shops. Also, by playing the game you cangain more friends
to know and get along to developsocial skills and self-confidence. If you want
to knowmore about the game, please see Appendix 1.Jack Rodriguez wrote
about the 25 signs ofDOTA addiction. Here are some:

1. Whenever youlose a Dota game, you want to grab your weak teammate
and punch him in the face. 2. Your left thumb isalways on the alt button
whatever
youre
doing atyour computer. Maybeyou want to check yourfacebook
friends
hp bar. 3. When you get amazedat anything you call it 'imba'. 'He scored 99
at hismath test, imba!
.
You also call things that annoy you,'imba

That guy is imba, he is damn fat'.