2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil
2024 presented a captivating blend of exhilarating victories and unforeseen setbacks in the world of esports. Established legends faced challenges, while fresh talent emerged to redefine the competitive landscape. This retrospective examines the pivotal moments that shaped the year.
Table of Contents:
- Faker's Legendary Ascent
- Induction into the Hall of Legends
- Donk's Meteoric Rise in Counter-Strike
- The Copenhagen Major Chaos
- 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 Faker, secured their fifth world title. This victory transcended mere statistics; it underscored resilience. T1 faced relentless DDoS attacks in the first half of the year, severely hindering their preparation and jeopardizing their Worlds qualification. Their eventual triumph, particularly Faker's exceptional performance in the grand final against Bilibili Gaming, cemented his status as an unparalleled esports icon.
Induction into the Hall of Legends
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Prior to Worlds 2024, Faker achieved another monumental milestone: becoming the inaugural inductee into Riot Games' official Hall of Legends. This event was significant not only for its recognition of Faker's legacy but also for representing a publisher-backed esports hall of fame, promising long-term preservation of esports history.
Donk's Meteoric Rise in Counter-Strike
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While Faker reigned supreme in League of Legends, 17-year-old Siberian prodigy, Donk, emerged as Counter-Strike's breakout star. His unprecedented rookie success, culminating in a Player of the Year award, defied expectations. Donk's aggressive, mobility-focused playstyle propelled Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major.
The Copenhagen Major Chaos
The Copenhagen Major was marred by significant disruption when individuals, motivated by a dispute between rival virtual casinos, stormed the stage and vandalized the trophy. This incident resulted in heightened security measures at future tournaments and triggered a Coffeezilla investigation into the shady dealings of various parties involved, potentially leading to legal repercussions.
Apex Legends' Hacking Scandal
The ALGS Apex Legends tournament suffered a major setback due to hackers remotely compromising participants' PCs and introducing cheats. This incident, coupled with a significant in-game bug, highlighted concerns about the game's stability and security, potentially impacting player retention.
Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
Saudi Arabia continued its expansion into the esports realm, hosting the Esports World Cup 2024, a two-month extravaganza encompassing 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools. The substantial investment and support provided to teams, notably Falcons Esports' championship victory, underscored Saudi Arabia's growing influence.
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, showcasing the game's rising popularity despite a relatively modest prize pool. Conversely, Dota 2's International tournament experienced a decline in viewership and prize pool, reflecting a shift in the game's momentum.
The Best of 2024
Our 2024 award winners:
- 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 emergence of new talent, 2025 promises even greater excitement.
