I am introducing a specialized series of “lectures” for the best free multiplayer mod that has ever been released. DotA, a game that is infinitely replayable, features free perennial DLC, and has its own burgeoning international community.

Chances are you have played DotA or you are currently actively involved in this game in some way. With that said, there are some egregious misconceptions about the nature of DotA and what kind of game it is.

Most of you would probably agree it’s a casual experience in which you have engaged once or twice. If you’re a diehard like me, you know this is far from the truth. I’ve played consistently for over 5 years now mostly in public matches and I know without a doubt that this game isn’t for everyone.

I keep telling people this as politely as I can but I am still perceived as the bad guy for defending my turf.

DotA isn’t casual because the matches in EM (easy mode) ought to last (excluding mass leaving) 30 to 45 minutes. Your standard death match in any FPS is 10 minutes or less. DotA isn’t associated with short bursts of play which is why it’s extremely rude to leave or suck.

Yes, some of you think we (who take it seriously) should “relax” and get a life. Well how about this, I don’t join a team match in Halo to shit it up with a contumacious attitude like that. I don’t tell you to chill out when you play Halo or Cod. Why would you come into my turf and expect a veteran to suddenly ignore 5 years of commitment?

DotA is the ONLY multiplayer game I have ever enjoyed enough to play for so long, should I not expect just a modicum of respect for this game? I don’t join your Halo games because I suck and I don’t contribute. I don’t have much fun either so what’s the point?

Don’t join DotA if you don’t want to seriously commit to it. You will seriously disappoint the 4 other people on your team who rely on you to not feed and contribute positively to all aspects of this team-focused game. Because it is team-focused, if you join with a “fuck-all” weed-smoking attitude, you are disrespecting everyone else.

I keep telling you noobs that I can help you play the game but I can’t actually play for you. You have to be willing to learn and commit, and once you do, you will see why people actually have a deep-vested interest and respect for this awesome game.

Thus, I have educed my own diagnostic checklist for your overall fit with this game.

This game is not for you if:

1. Your average score is negative with a kill/death difference of -5 or greater.
2. If you don’t like to communicate or play for your team.
3. If you leave almost every game as a result of getting outplayed/enraged/frusterated,etc

I suppose this relates to this month’s topic of how to improve gaming communities. If you’ve ever played a public game of DotA, you know there is a lot of cleaning up to do.