I've spent 10 years playing League of Legends and here's why I'm addicted to MOBA games
League of Legends is like a really weird love-hate relationship. You break up, and get back together. Break up. Get back together. And after enough back and forth, you finally decide you can’t seem to leave them because you love them so much and you’ve spent so much time in this relationship so you spend the rest of your life with them. Ta-da, you’re together forever!
I’ve spent the last decade with League of Legends and played other multiplayer online battle arena (also known as MOBA) games like Dota 2 and Smite and this is how it all felt. I’m in love with these games, but I’m also addicted. They’re insanely fun, but I can’t get them out of my system. Here's why.
WHY ARE MOBA GAMES SO FUN AND ADDICTIVE?
After watching snippets of the 2023 League of Legends Worlds Championship, I questioned myself about these things. Why do I like playing League of Legends and other MOBAs—and why can’t I stop obsessing over these fabulous games?
After pondering for days, I’ve finally reached the answer and it’s a lot more simple than I thought. I have a problem and I need help. Pffffft... Jokes aside though, it’s all in how these games are designed to feel fantastic.
See, every single MOBA game out there shares four key factors that makes them feel super addictive and fun: challenging gameplay, multiplayer action, rewarding progression, and free-to-play accessibility. Here’s a deeper explanation of what these factors bring to the table and how each one contributes to creating an exhilarating experience across every MOBA.
Challenging Gameplay
I like a good challenge, but even I know that this genre isn’t the easiest to get into. There are just so many mechanics to learn and so many ways to play the game, and it can take hours, if not days to get the hang of games like League of Legends or Dota 2.
For that exact same reason, players like myself find a lot of fulfillment in figuring out mechanics or perfecting a play style. It took me years of experience to get to a place where I feel comfortable using almost every character across League of Legends and yet I’m still learning new things every week. There’s always a lesson to be learned for both newbies and veterans and that’s what makes these games refreshing. It’s always changing and challenging.
Multiplayer Action
MOBAs are full of ups and downs and that’s just how the party goes. Not everyone can be a winner, but everyone can try. Competitive gameplay is the essence of this genre and it’s ultimately what keeps everything alive.
Playing with other people and communicating tactics or moves goes a long way in not only winning the match itself but also improving a player’s social understanding and critical thinking. Winning a match with the right people feels exceptional. There’s truly no other feeling like it and it’s what brings me back to this genre a lot of the time. Plus, it’s fun playing games with other people.
Rewarding Progression
Whether it’s climbing to a new rank in matchmaking or pulling a new skin from an in-game event, there’s always some kind of rewarding experience that players can get from MOBAs.
I personally find a lot of satisfaction from ranking up in matchmaking. It’s an almost euphoric experience where I get to see all my efforts pay off. I mean, wouldn’t you feel over the moon after reaching a goal you’ve been trying to get to over the past few weeks? It’s exactly like that. Rewarding moments like these gives players a reason to keep playing and improving. It's also one of the reasons I've kept playing League of Legends for this long.
Free-to-play Accessibility
Because MOBAs are usually free-to-play, it means anybody, anywhere can play them at any time. Not everyone can afford to buy games, so MOBAs are a cost-efficient way to enjoy gaming. They don’t require that much storage and can perform on some of the lowest PC and mobile specs out there. This accessibility gives less fortunate players the opportunity to enjoy high-quality games for the price of nothing and it’s amazing.
Now, there are a lot more things that maybe some games might have that others don’t which will impact a player's experience uniquely. Take Dota 2 and League of Legends for example. Dota 2 requires more strategy than League of Legends. But League of Legends features more free rewards and in-game events than Dota 2.
Both games are different in their own respect, but they all feature these four significant factors that make them special. When combined, these factors create an environment that players like myself quickly grow to love being around and a refreshing experience like no other. This formula has captivated and captured my heart and remains the reason why I can't seem to leave this genre. While I don't suggest playing MOBAs for thousands of hours, I can say that I don't regret spending a second playing these games. I love MOBAs and I always will.
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