Attention! Defense of the Ancients is also known as DotA
Defense of the Ancients is a WarCraft III custom scenario originally based off Aeon of Strife for Starcraft, it was maintained and created by a mapmaker known as Eul. DotA is a team game and thus, the main goal is to destroy the opposing team's main buildings(These are called Ancients, hence the name of the game). 5 players per side utilize and control Heroes which can level up and carry items like in any RPG. The twist is that each of the 3 lanes on the map(pathways to the other team's ancient) has regular spawning AI-controlled units known as creeps, which help the heroes push to the opposing ancient. Killing these units bestows gold on the players for buying powerful equipments used to kill the opposing ancient/buildings/heroes.
After Warcraft 3 The Frozen Throne came out, Eul discontinued development on the map and a new mapmaker started working on a variant of DotA known as DotA Allstars. The mapmaker was known as Guinsoo. After various balance patches and updates, another mapmaker known as IceFrog picked up development. Users who wish to play DotA have to get a copy of Warcraft III and download the map scenario here. DotA is a very competitive with various leagues and competitive tournaments. There is even a DotA-inspired song, "Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA" by Swedish musician Basshunter