7 Sociological And Psychological Effects Of DotA 2

Before getting to the impacts Of DotA 2 let’s get a brief introduction of the game. DotA 2 is a ‘Valve Corporation’ developed and published game. It is a FREE, Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) Game, like many other computer games( e.g: PUBG) being played today.

Insight Of The Game

The game consists of around 100+ characters called Heros to choose from and various items and weapons to pick. It is a Battle between two teams having 5 members each. They fight on a 3D battlefield trying to destroy towers of their enemies to reach their ancient and destroy it using their Special Powers. The team which succeeds first in this task is victorious.

The game has however crossed the line of being just a source of entertainment and has a greater impact on the player’s life and on the lives of those associated. Let’s have a look at these Sociological and Psychological impacts of Dota 2.

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 Sociological Impacts Of The Game

 Time Consuming:

The average game lasts for about 20 to 40 minutes in Turbo ( the fastest in-game mode) and can extend to almost 1 and a half hours if Ranked ( A slower game mode). The game already is such absorbing that it doesn’t allow the player to shift attention as each move is to be made critically and according to the situation. In this way, the real world tends to become non-existential.

Lack Of Human Interaction:

DotA 2 players prefer to avoid family and friends gatherings as they are unable to achieve the kind of satisfaction they get while playing the game alone in their comfort zones. Thus gradually they tend to cut off from their surroundings and isolate themselves just for the sake of some alone time with an addictive game! This creates tension in the lives of those associated especially the parents for their gamer child and spouses who feel attention deprived.

Laziness

Of course, gamers need to stick to their sofas for hours in order to fulfill their desire to play which increases and is never fulfilled thus they get more vulnerable to obesity and adopt an unhealthy lifestyle. One leading to avoiding the most important of tasks in their life whether they be academic or job-related. There have been incidents when unsupervised youngsters played for consistent several hours or even days without food and water and this lead to serious health issues and even death!

Money Wasteage

The game comes with several in-game purchasable items which cost real life money in return to some fictional gain. So, the players now not only waste their time and energy but money as well!  just for the sake of temporary satisfaction, they get. Listed below are the prices of some of the items in DotA 2.

• Legacy Ethereal Flames Wardog – $38,000
• Desert Sands Baby Roshan – $1,616-$2,106
• Axe of Phractos – $1249-$1914
• The Alpine Stalker’s Set – $772
• Golden Ornithomancer Mantle of the Benefactor – $1,628
• Genuine Imperial Flame Swords Pack – $741-$1471
• Shattered Greatsword – $599-$1024
• Genuine Gilded Edge – $341-$777
• Corrupted Dragonclaw Hook – $706

Can you believe that people actually spend that much money with no real life gain!

Psychological Impacts Of The Game

Although the game affects the human brain in many different ways but below are a few mentioned.

Increased Aggression:

Oh! you do feel the negative energy of an addicted DotA 2 player. They tend to get offended very easily as they are completely absorbed in the game and if the outside world tries to intervene the response is both abnormal and aggressive. A lost game has its own effects of irritation and anger. Which in turn changes how a person reacts to different incidents happening thereafter. And normally they won’t have been that much impulsive about them.

Decreased Focus:

Even when they are not playing the game what they do is think about it. How they can improve their skills? What strategy to adopt in order to win? What build to create for some hero they are playing? So, it is a constant engagement and thus makes the gamers unable to completely focus on their much important tasks.

Increased Depression:

If for some reason their game is at a halt; are not allowed to play, are at places where resources aren’t available or are facing continued defeat and thus are discouraged to play, they get depression attacks! They do not feel the enthusiasm to do anything as they find a lack of interest in everything and are unable to substitute the game with anything else. They often don’t know what to do when not playing DotA 2!

It Can Be Concluded

that as a game DotA 2 doesn’t preach violence as no killing of human beings or life-like weapons are involved but fictional superpowers. Thus if it is wisely managed and prioritized it may not cause harm to its players. Although the game is indeed addictive but this can be channelized through self-control and proper time management. 1 game a day is a preferable formula which not only allows you to get entertained but also spares room for the rest of the daily activities. So play safe! and Enjoy! 

Also Read: Effects of Mobile Games on Children’s Brain