History Main / MultiplayerOnlineBattleArena

* DuelingGames: The rivalry between ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' and ''VideoGame/Dota2'' is quite possibly ''THE'' most vicious and hate-fueled clash in gaming history, easily surpassing the [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]]/[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]] rivalry of the early 90s or the more recent ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'' vs ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' conflict in sheer vitriol. The two fanbases simply cannot tolerate the mere ''existence'' of the other, with ''Dota 2'' players treating ''[=LoL=]'' as a dumbed-down, childish rip-off played by immature, unskilled babies [[ItsHardSoItSucks too pathetic to play a real game]], while the ''[=LoL=]'' players consider ''Dota 2'' to be an obsolete, clunky, intentionally-overcomplicated dinosaur of a game played by arrogant, elitist snobs who [[ItsEasySoItSucks equate "difficulty" with "quality"]]. The fact that both games are considered to have among the most toxic and unpleasant communities in all of gaming certainly does not help matters. Other games in the genre only avoid similar bashing from these communities by virtue of being smaller targets.[[note]]Their case is an exclusive one thanks to a drama-filled conflict of how ''Dota Allstars'' ex-developer and one of the founders of Riot Games, Pendragon, turned the game's official forum as a platform to promote ''League of Legends'', which left the old ''Dota Allstars'' players extremely bitter, as they perceive this as a painful betrayal, and swore eternal hatred to ''League of Legends'', and eventually ''League'' players get sick of the constant vitriol and decided to retaliate. Other games do ''not'' have this ongoing drama against each other that made their 'duel' more severe.[[/note]]

* ''VideoGame/InfiniteCrisis'': A MOBA set in the DC Universe, with the premise of numerous alternate universes colliding. [[TooGoodToLast Its creator, Turbine, announced its shutdown for August 2015, six months after its release.]] However, some of the DC heroes would make appearances in another mobile MOBA, ''Arena of Valor'' (See above)

* ''VideoGame/RiseOfImmortals'': Lasted around 2-3 years, with a short relaunch as [[FunWithAcronyms Battle for Graxia]], but the service was cancelled in June 2013.

* ''VideoGame/{{Gigantic}}'', a third person MOBA by Motiga with a distinct cel-shaded art style. Gigantic eschews the normal jungle based combat with various side arenas which spawn minions for the team that controls them, as well as being based around the gigantic beasts who replace the normal crystal at the end. Also notable for being a dead MOBA brought BackFromTheDead as it returns in 2024 as ''Gigantic: Rampage Edition''.

* ''VideoGame/JumpAssemble'': An upcoming [=5v5=] MOBA by [=DeNa=] in which players control characters from various manga series published by Magazine/ShonenJump. In battle, players are able to use representatives of anything from 1990's to 2000's classics like ''Franchise/DragonBall'' and ''Franchise/OnePiece'' to modern favorites like ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'' and ''Manga/UndeadUnluck''.

* ''VideoGame/JumpAssemble'': An upcoming [=5v5=] MOBA by [=DeNa=] in which players control characters from various manga series published by Magazine/ShonenJump. In battle, players are able to use representatives of anything from 1990's to 2000's classics like ''Franchise/DragonBall'' and ''Franchise/OnePiece'' to modern favorites like ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'' and ''Manga/UndeadUnluck''.

The Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), also known as [=ARTS=] (Action Real Time Strategy)[[note]]increasingly rarely due to the rise of FPS or Third-person [=MOBAs=][[/note]] or Hero Brawler, is a relatively new game genre popularized in the first decade of the 21st century. While the UrExample was the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis classic ''VideoGame/HerzogZwei'', the TropeMaker was ''Aeon of Strife'', a map for ''VideoGame/{{Starcraft|I}}''. It gained popularity and, when ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'' with its powerful {{Hero Unit}}s and amazing map editor came out, [[FollowTheLeader spawned a lot of similar maps]] which were referred to as [=AoS=]-style maps. Amongst others there were D-Day, various [=AoS=] direct ports, and ''Defense of the Ancients'', developed by Eul. One of its own spinoffs, ''VideoGame/DefenseOfTheAncientsAllstars'' developed by Guinsoo, became the TropeCodifier by virtue of its astounding popularity, with a non-negligible fraction of ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'' sales driven ''solely'' by people who wanted to play ''[=DotA=] Allstars''.

* ''VideoGame/HerzogZwei'' - A UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis game that contains elements of team fights that would inspire the creators of the game below, particularly the 'Fight 'til you destroy enemy base', and 'Your hero always respawn after death'. This is the UrExample of MOBA.

* ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'' - Made by Hi-Rez Studios, who made ''VideoGame/GlobalAgenda''. Notable for putting the action in over-the-shoulder 3rd person for a more action-packed experience, while still sticking faithfully to the genre formula. Based around mythologies from all over the word where you take control as gods such as Thor, Hades, Ra and many more. Also available for home consoles (Platform/PlayStation4, Platform/XboxOne, Platform/NintendoSwitch, Platform/XboxSeriesX, UsefulNotes/PlayStation5)

* ''VideoGame/ArenaOfValor'': An internationalized version ''VideoGame/HonorOfKings'', with a UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch port, making it the first 'traditional' mobile MOBA that has a console appearance. The hero design of this game caters to more international/Western audience, and for a time, utilized GuestFighter from Creator/DCComics, such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and The Joker. Aside of being an internationalized version, it's a lot more accessible than ''Honor of Kings'' by the virtue of the user not having the need to register to those aforementioned applications. Despite the international version of ''Honor of Kings'' having been announced, no plans have been announced that the two will be merged: they will instead coexist with each other.

* ''VideoGame/HeroesEvolved'': A mobile MOBA which takes inspiration from ''VideoGame/MobileLegendsBangBang'' and ''VideoGame/ArenaOfValor'' while also adding in features from ''VideoGame/{{Dota 2}}'', such as fog of war, terrain elevation (enabling high ground system) and character primary stats (Strength, Agility and Intelligence) and passives required to be leveled with skill points gained from leveling up, and in the meantime, adds a RPG-like Adventure mode with gacha rarity systems. Formerly created by [=R2Games=], it eventually faced a stagnant era with its fans fearing that it'll die. However, [=NetDragon=] took over the development and has since given out more improvements of the game and later released a variant called ''Heroes Arise'', with smoother graphics and improved engine (and ironically reusing the map layout of ''VideoGame/MobileLegendsBangBang''). The variant has closed its beta testing and becomes unplayable, but more improvements are still being implemented in the original game.
* ''VideoGame/LegendOfAce'': A mobile MOBA taking cues from ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'' with a hero roster made of Gods, mythical heroes, sometimes historical figures and some original characters, given a semi futuristic feel. Noticeably, the aim is to create a similar experience like ''VideoGame/MobileLegendsBangBang'', but matches end quicker because the heroes deal ''really'' big damage from the start compared to other MOBA.

* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfNewerth'': One of the earliest standalone MOBA games to be released, developed by Frostburn Studios (formerly S2 Games). Originally created as a direct SpiritualSuccessor to [=DotA=] All-Stars, it attracted players who just wanted to play [=DotA=] but not on the woefully outdated ''Warcraft 3'' engine, but has over the years grown to be different in many aspects, most notably the larger part of heroes created directly by S2 Games, but also several nuances have been changed that Creator/{{Valve|Software}} would not dare touch for fear of [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks upsetting fans of the original mod]]. It was amongst the big titles and the only ones who could challenge ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'', but the fanbase was largely superceded by ''VideoGame/{{Dota 2}}'' and it lost favor against ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'' and ''VideoGame/HeroesOfTheStorm''. It entered "Maintenance Mode" in early 2019 (which means updates with new assets were no longer being made) and was shut down in June 2022, making it the dead MOBA with the longest lifespan (12 years).

* ''VideoGame/{{Gigantic}}'', a third person MOBA by Motiga with a distinct cel-shaded art style. Gigantic eschews the normal jungle based combat with various side arenas which spawn minions for the team that controls them, as well as being based around the gigantic beasts who replace the normal crystal at the end. Also notable for being a dead MOBA being brought BackFromTheDead as it returns in 2024 as ''Gigantic: Rampage Edition''.

* ''VideoGame/{{Gigantic}}'', a third person MOBA by Motiga with a distinct cel-shaded art style. Gigantic eschews the normal jungle based combat with various side arenas which spawn minions for the team that controls them, as well as being based around the gigantic beasts who replace the normal crystal at the end.

* ''VideoGame/PokemonUnite'': Up to five players, with one Franchise/{{Pokemon}} each, team up to score points by defeating wild Pokémon and taking the collected energy to the opposing team's score zones.

* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfOrderAndChaos'': Actually the very first attempt for a mobile MOBA, predating even ''VideoGame/{{Vainglory}}''. However, it's overshadowed by ''Vainglory'' (before it collapsed on its own) and its competitors that it stayed quiet and shut down at February 2023, meaning that it ironically lasted a bit longer than ''Vainglory''.

* ''VideoGame/HeroesEvolved'': A mobile MOBA which takes inspiration from ''VideoGame/MobileLegendsBangBang'' and ''VideoGame/ArenaOfValor'' while also adding in features from ''VideoGame/{{Dota 2}}'', such as fog of war, terrain elevation (enabling high ground system) and character primary stats (Strength, Agility and Intelligence) and passives required to be leveled with skill points gained from leveling up, and in the meantime, adds a RPG-like Adventure mode with gacha rarity systems. Formerly created by [=R2Games=], it eventually faced a stagnant era with its fans fearing that it'll die. However, [=NetDragon=] took over the development and has since given out more improvements of the game and eventually rebranded it as ''Heroes Arise'', with smoother graphics and improved engine (and ironically reusing the map layout of ''VideoGame/MobileLegendsBangBang'').
* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfOrderAndChaos'': another MobilePhoneGame take.

** [[ArcherArchetype Bow and Arrow]]. Examples include [[VideoGame/{{Dota 2}} Drow Ranger]], [[VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends Ashe]].

** [[DropTheHammer Hammers]]. Examples include [[VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends Poppy]], [[VideoGame/{{Smite}} Thor]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'' - Made by Hi-Rez Studios, who made ''VideoGame/GlobalAgenda''. Notable for putting the action in over-the-shoulder 3rd person for a more action-packed experience, while still sticking faithfully to the genre formula. Based around mythologies from all over the word where you take control as gods such as Thor, Hades, Ra and many more. Also available for home consoles (UsefulNotes/PS4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesX, UsefulNotes/PS5)

* ''VideoGame/ArenaOfValor'': An internationalized version ''VideoGame/HonorOfKings'', that eventually will make an appearance in UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, making it the first 'traditional' MOBA that would have a console appearance. Also notable for including Creator/DCComics characters such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and The Joker, after [[VideoGame/InfiniteCrisis their own MOBA]] was shut down. Aside of being an internationalized version, it's a lot more accessible than ''Honor of Kings'' by the virtue of not having the need to register to those aforementioned applications. Despite the international version of ''Honor of Kings'' announced, no plans are announced that the two will be merged: They will instead walk together in coexistence.

* ''Auto Chess MOBA'': A MOBA based on the ''Auto Chess'' mobile game, which was spun off from a mod of ''VideoGame/{{Dota 2}}'' that would become ''VideoGame/DotaUnderlords''. In ''Auto Chess''[='=] case, they used a more chibi-fied, cutesy original design based on the heroes of ''VideoGame/{{Dota 2}}''. In a full-circle development, these new designs would be put in a mobile MOBA game that tried its best to emulate ''VideoGame/{{Dota 2}}'' rather than ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'', right down to wards, terrain elevation, primary stats and heroes more similar to the ''Dota'' heroes.

* ''VideoGame/JumpAssemble'': An upcoming [=5v5=] MOBA by [=DeNa=] in which players control characters from various manga series published by Magazine/ShonenJump. In battle, players are able to use representatives of anything from classics like ''Franchise/DragonBall'' and ''Franchise/OnePiece'' to modern favorites like ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'' and ''Manga/UndeadUnluck''.

* ''VideoGame/JumpAssemble'': An upcoming [=5V5=] MOBA by Dena in which players control characters from various manga series published by Magazine/ShonenJump. In battle, Players are able to use representatives of anything from classics like ''Franchise/DragonBall'' and ''Franchise/OnePiece'' to modern favorites like ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'' and ''Manga/UndeadUnluck''.

* ''VideoGame/MarvelSuperWar'': A collaboration between Franchise/MarvelComics and [=NetEase=] Games, this is a mobile MOBA that featured Franchise/MarvelComics characters ranging from ''Franchise/SpiderMan'', ''Franchise/XMen'', ''Franchise/TheAvengers'' and a lot more of Marvel heroes.

* ''VideoGame/JumpAssemble'': An upcoming [=5V5=] MOBA by Dena in which players control characters from various manga published by Creator/ShonenJump. Players are able to use characters from various series in battle, ranging from classics like ''Franchise/DragonBall'' and ''Franchise/OnePiece'' to modern favorites like ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'' and ''Manga/UndeadUnluck''.

* ''VideoGame/ExtraordinaryOnes'': An anime-influenced MOBA by [=NetEase=] Games. Has the unique honor of having "crossovers" with the likes of Manga/MyHeroAcademia and Webcomic/MobPsycho100 where main characters from those series can be played as special skins for certain fighters.

* ''Kessen! Heian-kyō'' aka. ''VideoGame/{{Onmyoji}} Arena'': A MOBA spin-off of the mobile RPG ''VideoGame/{{Onmyoji}}'' using the same characters from the game (surprisingly ''including'' several crossover characters such as [[Manga/{{Inuyasha}} Inuyasha and Sesshomaru]]).

* ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' - A MOBA developed by several of the team who worked on ''[=DotA=] Allstars'' (including Guinsoo), it was the first to come up with matchmaking system, simplified mechanics to attract the casuals more and an actually deep lore to keep the fans attached to the characters on more personal levels. Released in 2009, it was also only the second "formal" MOBA (IE not a game mod) behind ''VideoGame/{{Demigod}}'', listed below, giving it more room to shine. It took from ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' the title of "Most Played Game in the World" and retained it through much of TheNewTens before being dethroned by {{Battle Royale Game}}s.

* ''VideoGame/ArenaOfValor'': An internationalized version ''VideoGame/HonorOfKings'', that eventually will make an appearance in UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, making it the first 'traditional' MOBA that would have a console appearance. Also notable for including DC Comics characters such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and The Joker, after [[VideoGame/InfiniteCrisis their own MOBA]] was shut down. Aside of being an internationalized version, it's a lot more accessible than ''Honor of Kings'' by the virtue of not having the need to register to those aforementioned applications. Despite the international version of ''Honor of Kings'' announced, no plans are announced that the two will be merged: They will instead walk together in coexistence.

* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfNewerth'': One of the earliest standalone MOBA games to be released, developed by Frostburn Studios (formerly S2 Games). Originally created as a direct SpiritualSuccessor to [=DotA=] All-Stars, it attracted players who just wanted to play [=DotA=] but not on the woefully outdated ''Warcraft 3'' engine, but has over the years grown to be different in many aspects. Most notably, the larger part of heroes created directly by S2 Games but also several nuances have been changed that Creator/{{Valve|Software}} would not dare touch for fear of [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks upsetting fans of the original mod]]. It was amongst the big titles and the only ones who could challenge ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'', but the fanbase was largely superceded by ''VideoGame/{{Dota 2}}'' and it lost favor against ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'' and ''VideoGame/HeroesOfTheStorm''. It entered "Maintenance Mode" in early 2019 (which means updates with new assets were no longer being made) and was shut down in June 2022, making it the dead MOBA with the longest lifespan (12 years).
* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfTheStorm'' - A MOBA made with Heroes and characters from [[Creator/BlizzardEntertainment Blizzard's]] [[Videogame/{{Warcraft}} popular]] [[Videogame/{{Starcraft}} franchises]] [[Videogame/{{Diablo}} and]] [[VideoGame/{{Overwatch}} properties]] (and [[Videogame/TheLostVikings at least one of their older classics]] so far), crossing over and battling in new and original maps, each with their own objectives and twists. It features a shorter average game length and removes items entirely in favor of "Talents". Was originally called Blizzard Dota, and then Blizzard All-Stars, before settling on the current title. Unfortunately, Blizzard committed a certain mismanagement that caused them to pull the game from the e-sports scene, thereby losing a lot of attention and players. It's still played and is managed by its development team, attaining CultClassic status like ''VideoGame/HeroesOfNewerth'', but now mostly concentrates on non-e-sport scenes (such as quick plays), thus losing its spot as one of the big ones. Unofficial tournament scenes are still made by not-so-big names so it feels like making a slow recovery, but has yet to reach the stage that they would take the world by storm again... and generally still survived when ''VideoGame/HeroesOfNewerth'' closed off, though shortly after that happened, Blizzard announced they have ceased development of content for the game.