Defense of the Ancients 2 Esport and Audiences: A Case Study of DotA 2 Esport Media Consumption in Vietnam

Abstract

Professional electronic sport or eSport has been a new subject of research within multiple fields. It has been a common practice for researchers to discover the relation between the game and the players. In contrast, this writing, under the scope of communication and media, employs Defence of the Ancients 2 (DotA 2) as the sample to further explore the relationship between DotA 2 eSport and its audience in Vietnam. Defense of the Ancients 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game that was released by Valve Corporation in 2013. In the first year of its first public appearance, the professional competitive scene of the game, or also known as, eSport had emerged for the first time and until recent years the DotA 2 eSport has been influential to the whole entertainment industry globally in general and in Vietnam in specific. In this research, I aim to explore the relationship between the DotA 2 professional scene, when being considered as an entertainment media, and its game-related digital and media product consumers. The study employs the mixture between statistical data analysis and observation methodology to work with survey data as well as documentaries as the evidence. In addition, the research also utilizes the theory of reasoned action to uncovers extensive elements that can have an impact on the consumption of DotA 2 eSport in Vietnam. The finding suggests that drama, escapism, esthetics and outlook can have influences on DotA 2 eSport media in Vietnam.