Esports Highlights of 2024 Announced

2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil

2024 presented a compelling 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 highlights the pivotal moments that shaped the year.

Table of Contents:

• Faker's Unprecedented Achievement
• A Legend Enters the Hall of Fame
• Donk's Meteoric Rise in Counter-Strike
• The Copenhagen Major's Tumultuous Conclusion
• Hacking Scandal Rocks Apex Legends
• Saudi Arabia's Extensive Esports Investment
• Mobile Legends' Ascent and Dota 2's Dip
• The Year's Top Performers

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Faker's Unprecedented Achievement:

The League of Legends World Championship dominated the 2024 esports calendar. T1, led by the legendary Faker, successfully defended their title, securing Faker's fifth world championship. This achievement transcended mere statistics; it was a testament to resilience. T1 faced significant adversity in the first half of the year, enduring relentless DDoS attacks that hampered their training and even participation in official matches. Despite these obstacles, they secured a Worlds spot and ultimately triumphed in a hard-fought final against Bilibili Gaming, with Faker's exceptional performance in the final games proving instrumental to their victory.

A Legend Enters the Hall of Fame:

Prior to Worlds 2024, Faker achieved another significant milestone: induction into Riot Games' inaugural Hall of Legends. This event marked not only a personal triumph but also a significant step for esports recognition, representing one of the first major esports halls of fame directly supported by a game publisher, assuring its long-term sustainability. The release of a commemorative in-game bundle further highlighted the event's importance.

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Donk's Meteoric Rise in Counter-Strike:

While Faker cemented his legacy, 2024 saw the emergence of a new star: 17-year-old Donk from Siberia. His explosive entry into the Counter-Strike scene was marked by dominance, culminating in a Player of the Year award – a rare feat for a rookie, especially one who eschewed the traditionally dominant AWP role. Donk's aggressive playstyle, characterized by exceptional aim and mobility, propelled Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major.

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The Copenhagen Major's Tumultuous Conclusion:

The Copenhagen Major, however, highlighted a darker side of esports. The event was disrupted when individuals protesting a rival virtual casino stormed the stage, damaging the trophy. This incident prompted increased security measures at future tournaments and triggered a Coffeezilla investigation into questionable practices within the gaming industry, involving casinos, influencers, and even Valve.

Hacking Scandal Rocks Apex Legends:

The Copenhagen Major wasn't the only event plagued by controversy. The ALGS Apex Legends tournament suffered a significant disruption due to hackers remotely compromising participants' PCs. This incident, coupled with a major in-game bug that reset player progress, exposed vulnerabilities within the game, causing concern among players and potentially impacting the game's future.

Saudi Arabia's Extensive Esports Investment:

Saudi Arabia's growing influence on the esports landscape was evident in the Esports World Cup 2024, a two-month event encompassing 20 disciplines and offering substantial prize pools. The substantial support provided to teams, particularly the homegrown Falcons Esports, which won the club championship, underscores Saudi Arabia's strategic investment in the industry.

Mobile Legends' Ascent and Dota 2's Dip:

2024 showcased contrasting trends. The M6 World Championship for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang attracted significant viewership, second only to League of Legends, highlighting the game's expanding global reach despite a relatively modest prize pool. Conversely, Dota 2 experienced a decline in viewership and prize pool for The International, indicating a shift in the game's popularity and potentially reflecting the limitations of Valve's crowdfunding experiments.

The Year's Top Performers:

• 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 to be another exciting year for esports, with anticipated changes in the Counter-Strike ecosystem, high-profile tournaments, and the continued rise of new stars.