The problem here is that when a girl pawns a guy in online games, the guy would often try to soothe himself by telling himself (and other guys) that she must be male IRL.

Nice to know that. Unfortunately, I've experienced that quite a lot -- not so much in DotA, not that good (skill declining also, play like once a week nowadays ), and besides I mainly only play with people whom I know IRL. However, in an old MMORPG that I played, I'll bet half of the people who knew me are still assuming that I'm male. Ah well, I suppose I should take it as a compliment. >_>

As I am bored now, though, I came up with the (brilliant?) idea of taking up icyfawkes' challenge. Let's all adjourn to garena someday, pm me if you want to set a time.

LOL @ dota reducing stress.. it seems to be quite the opposite for some people that I know. Strangely enough, it DOES de-stress me, unless I'm playing with extreme lag or in draft games.

@Core: Just realized that I didnt answer. The MMORPG was Dragonraja... yes aeons ago, I know.

Yeah Erika, DotA is probably one of the unfriendliest games ever to new players, unless you're friends with everyone in the game, or at least everyone in your team. >_>

Rofl. Now, don't get me wrong, I agree with the majority of your posts, actually. DotA ISN'T the best game, not by a long shot, especially since it isn't technically a 'game' to begin with, just a WC3 map created by fans. And of COURSE it doesn't improve English... I know people who play DotA and probably can't even read the hero names -- they just look at the pictures to select, methinks. '

However. I ALSO know brilliant, cream-of-the-crop university and high school students who do play DotA too, and who play it well. Generalizations show nothing but ignorance, my friend. Some of those people will be the surgeons, specialists, lawyers, etc whom you will consult in the future. I also know a few (less, but still existant) successful careermen who DotA as well. No brain? Think again.