2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil
The esports landscape of 2024 was a rollercoaster, marked by both exhilarating victories and significant setbacks. Established legends faced unexpected challenges, while newcomers emerged to redefine the competitive scene. This retrospective highlights the pivotal moments that shaped the year.
Table of Contents
- Faker's Legendary Reign
- A Hall of Fame Induction
- Donk's Meteoric Rise
- Copenhagen Major Chaos
- Apex Legends' Hacking Scandal
- Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
- Mobile Legends' Ascent and Dota 2's Dip
- The Best of 2024
Faker's Legendary Reign
Image: x.com
The League of Legends World Championship dominated the 2024 esports calendar. 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 year, severely hampering their preparation and almost costing them a spot at Worlds. Their triumphant comeback, particularly Faker's masterful performance in the grand final against Bilibili Gaming, solidified his status as an unparalleled esports icon.
A Hall of Fame Induction
Image: x.com
Prior to Worlds 2024, Faker achieved another monumental milestone: induction into Riot Games' official Hall of Legends. This 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 shift in esports monetization strategies.
Donk's Meteoric Rise
Image: x.com
While Faker reigned supreme, 2024 also witnessed the explosive arrival of Donk, a 17-year-old Siberian Counter-Strike prodigy. His unprecedented success, earning him the Player of the Year title as a rookie, defied expectations. Donk's aggressive, mobility-focused playstyle, eschewing the commonly preferred AWP role, propelled Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major.
Copenhagen Major Chaos
The Copenhagen Major was overshadowed by a significant disruption. Individuals, motivated by a dispute between rival virtual casinos, stormed the stage, damaging the trophy. This incident forced a reevaluation of tournament security protocols and triggered a Coffeezilla investigation, exposing questionable practices within the gaming industry, potentially leading to legal repercussions.
Apex Legends' Hacking Scandal
The ALGS Apex Legends tournament suffered a severe blow when hackers remotely compromised participants' PCs, deploying cheats. This incident, coupled with a game-breaking bug that reset player progress, highlighted significant issues within Apex Legends, causing player exodus and raising concerns about the game's future.
Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
Saudi Arabia's influence in esports continued its expansion. The Esports World Cup 2024, a two-month extravaganza encompassing 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools, showcased their commitment. The success of Falcons Esports, a Saudi Arabian organization, in the club championship, underscored the impact of strategic investment and potentially sets a new benchmark for team management.
Mobile Legends' Ascent and Dota 2's Dip
2024 presented contrasting narratives for two prominent titles. The M6 World Championship for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang demonstrated impressive viewership, second only to League of Legends, highlighting the game's global growth despite limited Western penetration. Conversely, Dota 2 experienced a decline in both viewership and prize pools, with Valve's decision to discontinue crowdfunding experiments revealing the limitations of relying solely on in-game item sales for sustained growth.
The Best of 2024
Our 2024 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
2025 promises even more thrilling competition, with anticipated changes to the Counter-Strike ecosystem, major tournaments, and the emergence of new esports stars.
