The Rise of MOBA Esports
in the Philippines
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, or MOBA, is a gaming genre that is rapidly gaining popularity as an Esport. It is a hybrid of chess and team sports. It pits two five-player teams against one another. The ultimate objective of MOBAs, which are typically played on computers, is to destroy the opposing base. Utilizing distinctive characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, players must cooperate in order to acquire items and territory. Players level up their characters by eliminating AI-controlled minions and other players throughout the course of the game, earning gold and experience in the process. Items can be purchased with gold to gain stat boosts and special abilities. League of Legends, DotA 2, and Mobile Legends are a few of the most played MOBAs.
MOBA Esports are becoming more prevalent in multi-sport events. Esport is a relatively new aspect of gaming culture that is quickly rising to prominence, especially among young people and emerging adults who are avid gamers. This kind of sport is now supported by the Olympic committee wherein multi players around the world are gathered to contest their skills in video gaming. Esports capitalizes on youngsters’ love of competitive gaming to promote inclusivity, teamwork, and creativity. Along with developing STEAM skills, participants strengthen their problem-solving, cooperation, and communication abilities.
Before, people used to think that playing video games was a waste of time, a distraction from their academics, or even something violent. Numerous benefits and chances from video games were disregarded due to the notion that they are negative. In the Philippines, almost a quarter of the population are enjoying mobile games. And the benefits of it does not end where skills are gained but also a fortune to have better lives where they can sustain their basic needs and can afford luxurious things. A dota player named “DJ” Mampusti of Fnatic DOTA 2 tops the list with an overall earnings total of 39 million pesos, which excludes any personal endorsements and compensation from their employer, he revealed. Recent winners of sea games in a mobile legends team called SIBOL, wins over 1 million for individual events and 2 million for team competitions. This is evident that mobile gaming does not only give skills to participants but also compensation for what they worked for.
Esports in Academe
A four-year degree in e – sports, the Bachelor of Science in Esports, has also been made possible by the growth of e – sports in the academic environment. This is made available by the Lyceum of the Philippines University in collaboration with Tier One Entertainment, the owner of Blacklist International. There are two tracks available in the program: game design and development or esports management. Additionally, the Philippine collegiate esports organizer AcadArena offers esports scholarships and sponsors esports competitions for Philippine colleges and universities.
Moreover, the National University of the Philippines along with the AcadArena committed to open more opportunities for student organizations in expressing their passion and love for esports and gaming. They developed the #NotJustPlay partnership that aims to create the first e – sports hub for students in the Philippines, giving them a better understanding of what it’s like to work in gaming and esports; researching sustainable and relevant ways to incorporate gaming and esports education into NU Laguna’s curriculum; and ultimately bridging the gap between academic institutions and the industry. Fun fact, SAGE Esports of University of San Agustin is a part of AcadArena.
The relationship between the gaming industry and digital and communication technology is immensely interconnected. It influences and relies on a wide range of technologies, and it also expands technological advancement in areas like hardware and software. However, connection technologies that enable faster internet speeds, like 5G and fiber-optic internet, are technologies that are extremely important for the market. From the perspective of gaming, faster speeds enable low latency and quick data transmission. Processing can now be done on distant servers owing to the assistance of offloading computational workload from hardware. Players might well benefit from improved connectivity, quicker gameplay, and higher-level gameplay.
Due to the increasing commercialization of esports, many companies are entering the industry. Technological advances have driven the growth of esports over the years, including technology companies such as Weaver, which use AI, 8K, VR, AR, and other technologies to give esports fans new ways to watch.
Technological developments such as the advent of streaming and improved connectivity have been key factors in the growth of this sector. But corporate investment has also been a driving force behind the spread of gambling. Many of the best online casino platforms have partnered with esports teams to add their games to their sportsbooks, allowing game fans to play with their favorite teams. No doubt there will be more innovations and technologies in the future. Technology will continue to improve esports over time, whether it’s new services, improved game design, graphics, artificial intelligence, or the next exciting advancement to come. In recent times, the Philippines has emerged as one of the most competitive nations in esports competitions involving multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA). As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the nation, an increasing number of online streamers have recently emerged.
Finally, MOBA is completely overtaking the internet. MOBAs had an impact on the development of new internet communication technologies, as well as on the viewing and gaming experience in the digital age. Also, the availability of cheap cell phones and mobile internet connectivity has increased Filipinos’ interest in gaming, whether on consoles, mobile devices, or personal PCs. According to the findings, youths have expanded their use of social networking sites and streaming services in general.
The eSports sector is a very complex and ever-changing industry. Every five years or so, groundbreaking changes disturb the sector as a result of this inventiveness. Furthermore, many external stakeholders are investing in eSports, raising the possibility of a bubble owing to an overheated market.
