2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil
2024 delivered a captivating blend of exhilarating victories and unexpected setbacks in the world of esports. Established legends faced challenges, while new stars emerged, leaving an indelible mark on the competitive landscape. This retrospective highlights the pivotal moments that defined the year.
Table of Contents:
- Faker's Legendary Ascent
- A Hall of Fame Induction
- Donk's Meteoric Rise
- Copenhagen's Controversial Major
- Apex Legends' Hacking Scandal
- Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
- Mobile Legends' Surge and Dota 2's Dip
- The Best of 2024
Faker's Legendary Ascent
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The League of Legends World Championship dominated 2024's esports narrative. T1, led by the legendary Faker, secured their fifth world title. This victory transcended mere statistics; it was a testament to resilience. T1 faced relentless DDoS attacks throughout the first half of the year, significantly hindering their preparation and jeopardizing their qualification for Worlds. Despite these obstacles, they triumphed, with Faker's exceptional performance in the grand final against Bilibili Gaming solidifying his status as an all-time great.
A Hall of Fame Induction
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Months before Worlds, Faker achieved another milestone: induction into Riot Games' inaugural Hall of Legends. This event marked a significant step for esports recognition, representing one of the first publisher-backed halls of fame, promising long-term sustainability. The accompanying in-game celebratory bundle also signaled a new era of esports monetization.
Donk's Meteoric Rise
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While Faker cemented his legacy, 17-year-old Siberian prodigy, Donk, emerged as 2024's breakout star in Counter-Strike. His unprecedented rookie Player of the Year win, achieved without specializing in the AWP role, showcased his exceptional aim and aggressive playstyle. Donk's contributions were instrumental in Team Spirit's Shanghai Major victory.
Copenhagen's Controversial Major
The Copenhagen Major cast a shadow over Counter-Strike's 2024 highlights. A disruptive protest by individuals associated with a virtual casino, motivated by financial disputes with a competitor, resulted in stage intrusion and trophy damage. This incident forced a reassessment of tournament security and triggered a Coffeezilla investigation, exposing questionable practices within the online casino industry, impacting influencers and even Valve.
Apex Legends' Hacking Scandal
The ALGS Apex Legends tournament suffered a significant disruption due to a hacking incident, where remote installation of cheats compromised participant PCs. This occurred amidst a major in-game bug that reversed player progress, highlighting the game's technical vulnerabilities and potentially contributing to player attrition.
Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
Saudi Arabia continued its aggressive expansion into esports. The Esports World Cup 2024, a two-month spectacle encompassing 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools, showcased the nation's growing influence. The success of Falcons Esports, a Saudi Arabian organization, in winning the club championship, underscored the impact of strategic investment and team management.
Mobile Legends' Surge and Dota 2's Dip
2024 witnessed contrasting fortunes for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Dota 2. The M6 World Championship for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang attracted impressive viewership, second only to League of Legends, highlighting its global growth despite limited Western penetration. Conversely, Dota 2's International tournament saw a decline in viewership and prize pool, reflecting the limitations of past crowdfunding models and suggesting a need for renewed player and team support strategies.
The Best of 2024
Our 2024 esports awards:
- Game of the Year: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Match of the Year: LoL Worlds 2024 Finals (T1 vs. BLG)
- Player of the Year: Donk
- Club of the Year: Team Spirit
- Event of the Year: Esports World Cup 2024
- Soundtrack of the Year: Heavy is the Crown by Linkin Park
With anticipated changes in the Counter-Strike ecosystem, promising tournaments, and the rise of new talent, 2025 promises to be another exhilarating year for esports.
