Reception

The popularity of Defense of the Ancients has increased over time. The scenario was featured by Computer gaming world in a review of new maps and mods in Warcraft III, and has been called "the ultimate RTS". Allstars has become an important tournament scenario, starting with its prominence at the debut of Blizzard's Blizzcon convention in 2005. Allstars was also featured in the Malaysia and Singapure World Cyber Games starting in 2005, and the World Cyber Games Asian Championships beginning with the 2006 season. Defense of the Ancients is now included in the game lineup for the internationally recognized Cyberathlete Amateur League and CyberEvolution leagues. Additionally, the scenario is slated to appear in Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) 2008; Oliver Paradis, ESWC's competition manager, noted that the high level of community support behind the scenario, as well as its worldwide appeal, were among the reasons it was chosen. LAN tournaments are a major part of worldwide play, including tournaments in Sweden and Russia; however, due to a lack of LAN tournaments and championships in North America, several teams have since disbanded.

The scenario is popular in many parts of the world; in the Philippines and Thailand, it is played as much as the game Counter-Strike. It is also popular in Sweden and other Northern European countries, where the Defense of the Ancients-inspired song "Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA" by Swedish musician Basshunter reached the European 2006 charts at #116 and cracked the top ten Singles Charts in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Defense of the Ancients has been credited as one of the influences for the upcoming Gas Powered games title Demigod.