Auto Chess, the progenitor of the Auto Battler genre, announced the development of its own MOBA game. The great irony of the announcement stems from the fact that Auto Chess started its life cycle as a mod for the intensely famous MOBA, Dota 2, which in turn also started out as a mod. Game mods are hardly uncommon but developers rarely create a game in the same genre that served as the mod’s early home. It’s an amusing turn of fate but what could this potentially mean for future competitive games?
From mods to riches
The younger players of Dota 2 and Counter-strike: Global Offensive may not know that their beloved games started out as mods. Dota 2 famously began as a game mod for WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos. It was eventually acquired by Valve and updated before being released as Dota 2. Dota kicked off the MOBA genre trend that’s still strong to this day. CS: GO holds a deeper history than its MOBA sibling. Counter-strike started off as a competitive team shooter mod of the critically acclaimed Half-Life.
These two games are the biggest examples of mods coming into their own. Several games followed in the same vein of both Dota 2 and CS: GO. There’s never a shortage of developers building on established game genres. Fortunately, most of the subsequent games offer creativity and innovation with their own entries into the market. However, there are still unfortunate knock-off games that merely come off as cash-grabs of extremely famous games.
Not all mods are created equal but CS: GO and Dota 2 prove the ingenuity of players that initially find homes in successful games. Auto Chess follows the mod path as one of the latest game mods to forge a path for itself. The Auto battler started as a mod for Dota 2 before its independent release as a standalone game in April 2019. Auto Chess set itself up as the pioneer of a brand new competitive game wave but it just one-upped itself with its most recent announcement.
The cycle continues
#AutoChessMOBA: The Auto Chess themed MOBA game with ALL HEROES FREE😎😎😎
Chess characters from #AutoChess will become heroes in the MOBA game!
Features: all heroes free, no paid runes, day and night version system, destructible objects pic.twitter.com/dN7utBNgxp
— Auto Chess (@AutoChess2019) January 9, 2021
That’s right, Auto Chess developers officially announced that they will be releasing their own Auto Chess-themed MOBA. In an amusingly ironic twist, the game that kicked off Auto-battlers returns to its roots with a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena game. It’s an ambitious decision from the developers but what’s more interesting is its potential impact on other mods-turned-games.
Imagine Valve creating a Dota 2-themed Real-Time Strategy game akin to WarCraft III. Likewise, I’m sure fans of CS: GO would not oppose a Counter-Strike single-player platformer shooter game. It’s natural to think that these games may be extremely unlikely but no one ever expected Auto Chess to roll out with its own MOBA game either.
Expanding the Universe
The decision to branch out from a franchise’s golden egg is not as crazy as it sounds. Look to Riot Games and what the developers are doing with its beloved League of Legends universe. League of Legends is a prime example of game makers taking a look at one of the most iconic games in a brand new genre and making something entirely new. Players constantly debated the similarities and differences between Dota 2 and League but at its core, it’s unreasonable to deny League’s roots. However, this isn’t about rehashing old grudges, it’s about learning how to move forward. Riot Games started off with a lovingly crafted MOBA universe and just ran with it.
The League of Legends expanded from a PC game to a mobile MOBA, a collectible card game, and several more in the future. League boasts a colorful thriving world beloved by millions of players. Not every player loves each and every game Riot put out but it’s refreshing to see new takes on the same universe. Riot teased future releases for a fighting game, an MMO, and a console game based in the League universe. The sky’s the limit with expansive universes.
Auto Chess took one strange step with its decision to create a MOBA but it also breathes life into endless possibilities. Valve took the risk of expanding its franchises with Artifact and Dota Underlords for Dota 2. The receptions were mixed but they should keep pushing ahead with new takes on beloved characters and worlds. Valve just released the Half-Life spin-off Half-Life: Alyx last year and it’s been a wonderful step into breathing life into dormant beloved franchises.
Final Words
Developers go at their own pace with what they believe to be best for their games. Auto Chess developers now believe their best step moving forward is a callback to the game and the genre’s very roots. Undoubtedly, not every fan will be pleased with the new game. However, the introduction of something new invigorates the gaming scene.
We definitely need more bold movements from game makers and developers. This is especially true for developers responsible for our beloved worlds and characters. We don’t play games to be bound by logic and reason. We embrace these worlds and colorful characters, no matter the genre.
The Auto Chess MOBA launches with all heroes available for play. The developers promise to offer a fair and fun new MOBA based on Auto Chess. Hopefully, we see more exciting new games in the future.
Follow Us
Subscribe