2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Tumult
2024 presented a captivating blend of exhilarating victories and frustrating setbacks in the esports world. Established legends faced unexpected 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 Legendary Ascent
- A Hall of Fame Induction
- Donk's Meteoric Rise in CS
- 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's triumphant title defense cemented Faker's status as a five-time world champion. However, the victory was far from straightforward. T1 faced relentless DDoS attacks during the first half of the year, severely hindering their practice and almost costing them a spot at Worlds. Their eventual grand final triumph against Bilibili Gaming, particularly Faker's exceptional performance in games four and five, showcased his unparalleled skill and cemented his legendary status.
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, expensive in-game celebratory bundle also signaled a shift in esports monetization strategies.
Donk's Meteoric Rise in CS
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While Faker solidified his GOAT status, 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, is a testament to his aggressive playstyle and exceptional aim. Donk led Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major, concluding a remarkable year.
The Copenhagen Major Chaos
The Copenhagen Major, however, was overshadowed by significant disruption. Individuals claiming monetary rewards stormed the stage, damaging the trophy, highlighting the escalating tensions within the virtual casino industry. This incident prompted increased security measures and a Coffeezilla investigation, exposing questionable practices among casinos, influencers, and even Valve, potentially leading to legal ramifications.
Apex Legends' Hacking Scandal
The Copenhagen Major wasn't the only tournament impacted by disruptive events. The ALGS Apex Legends tournament suffered a major setback due to hackers remotely installing cheats on players' PCs. This incident, coupled with a game-breaking bug that rolled back player progress, underscored the game's instability and sparked concerns among players considering switching to alternative titles.
Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
Saudi Arabia continued its significant investment in esports, hosting the Esports World Cup 2024—a two-month spectacle encompassing 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools. The comprehensive support program further solidified Saudi Arabia's influence, notably with Falcons Esports' club championship victory, highlighting the impact of strategic investment and potentially influencing management practices within other teams.
Mobile Legends' Surge and Dota 2's Dip
2024 showcased contrasting fortunes for different titles. The M6 World Championship for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang attracted impressive viewership, second only to League of Legends, demonstrating the game's significant growth despite limited Western presence. Conversely, Dota 2 experienced a decline, with The International generating less hype and smaller prize pools, indicating that past success may have been more reliant on in-game items than genuine player and team support.
The Best of 2024
In summary, our 2024 awards are:
- 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 to the Counter-Strike ecosystem, exciting upcoming tournaments, and the rise of new stars, 2025 promises even more thrilling esports action.
