2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil
2024 delivered a mixed bag for esports, a year marked by both exhilarating victories and significant setbacks. Established legends faced challenges, while newcomers burst onto the scene, reshaping 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 in CS
- Copenhagen Major Chaos
- Apex Legends Hacked
- Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
- Mobile Legends' Surge, 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, a feat amplified by the adversity they overcame. The first half of the year saw T1 hampered by relentless DDoS attacks, severely impacting their training and almost costing them a Worlds berth. Their eventual triumph, particularly Faker's masterful performance in the grand final against Bilibili Gaming, cemented his legacy as an esports icon.
A Hall of Fame Induction
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Prior to Worlds, Faker achieved another milestone: induction into Riot Games' Hall of Legends. This inaugural entry, celebrated with a premium in-game bundle, marked a significant step for publisher-backed esports halls of fame, promising greater longevity for such recognitions.
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, showcased his aggressive, high-mobility playstyle. Donk led Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major, culminating a remarkable year.
Copenhagen Major Chaos
The Copenhagen Major suffered a significant blow when individuals, motivated by financial disputes within the virtual casino industry, disrupted the event, damaging the trophy. This incident highlighted the need for enhanced security measures and sparked a Coffeezilla investigation into questionable practices within the esports ecosystem, potentially leading to legal ramifications.
Apex Legends Hacked
The ALGS Apex Legends tournament was marred by hacking incidents, with cheaters remotely compromising players' PCs. This, coupled with a significant in-game bug, underscored issues within Apex Legends, potentially driving players towards alternative titles.
Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
Saudi Arabia's influence in esports continued to expand, hosting the Esports World Cup 2024—a two-month spectacle encompassing 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools. The investment in teams, notably Falcons Esports' club championship win, showcases Saudi Arabia's growing impact on the global esports scene.
Mobile Legends' Surge, 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 burgeoning popularity despite a relatively modest prize pool. Conversely, Dota 2's International faced declining viewership and prize pool, reflecting a shift away from crowdfunding models.
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
With anticipated changes to the Counter-Strike ecosystem, promising tournaments, and rising stars, 2025 promises to be another electrifying year in esports.
