So, what is DotA 2?

The question foremost in your mind is, I'm sure, "What is DotA 2?" Followed closely by "...and why should I care?"

In brief, DotA 2 (full name Defense of the Ancients 2) is an Action Real Time Strategy (or A-RTS) game for the PC. Within it, two teams of five players each face against each other, engaging in combat and strategic maneuvers in pursuit of a single objective: the destruction of the other team's central building, called the Ancient. To this end, the players have over 100 different characters to choose from, each with unique abilities and style of play. The map, the "playing field" DotA 2 is played on, has a multitude of intricacies for players to discover and exploit. With gold gained from slaying monsters and other heroes, players can purchase a myriad of items for their character, all with unique bonuses and uses. The team whose players can best utilize their heroes and items in concert with positioning, strategy, and tactics will propel themselves to victory.

The incredible strategic depth of DotA 2 is what draws many players to it. Likewise, it is the driving force behind the game's healthy and diverse competitive scene in multiple countries across the world, including the United States, Korea, China, Peru, Russia, and Ukraine. "Casters," both professional and amateur, make money analyzing, showcasing, and commentating on DotA 2 matches. Most famously, the game's developer and publisher, Valve Corporation, host their own DotA 2 tournament every year, known as The International. The latest of these, known simply as The International 2014, famously boasted a $10,000,000 prize pool, more than the IndyCar series or Tennis US Open, and more than any other video game competition in history.

To sum up, DotA 2 is a fascinating game with a rich community behind it. If you choose to explore the game and its competitive history, you'll be treated to colorful and downright weird characters, a wide-ranging and energetic community, nail-biting, nuanced combat, and one of the most memorable experiences the video games industry has to offer right now.

Who knows? Maybe the next five-million-dollar grand prize will be yours.