2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil
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 examines the pivotal moments that shaped the year.
Table of Contents
- Faker's Legendary Reign
- Induction into the Hall of Legends
- Donk's Meteoric Rise in CS
- Copenhagen Major Chaos
- Apex Legends Hacked
- Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
- Mobile Legends' Ascent, Dota 2's Decline
- The Best of 2024
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Faker's Legendary Reign: The League of Legends World Championship dominated the 2024 esports calendar. T1, led by Faker, successfully defended their title, securing Faker's fifth world championship. However, their victory was far from easy. Persistent DDoS attacks plagued T1 throughout the first half of the year, severely hindering their training and almost costing them a spot in the World Championship. Their triumphant comeback in the finals against Bilibili Gaming, particularly Faker's exceptional performance in games four and five, cemented his status as an unparalleled esports legend.
Induction into the Hall of Legends: Prior to Worlds 2024, Faker achieved another significant milestone: induction into Riot Games' inaugural Hall of Legends. This event marked a pivotal moment, not only for Faker but also for esports as a whole, signifying the growing recognition and support from major publishers. Riot's release of a commemorative in-game bundle further underscored the event's importance.
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Donk's Meteoric Rise in CS: While Faker solidified his legacy, 17-year-old Siberian prodigy, Donk, emerged as 2024's breakout star in Counter-Strike. His aggressive, mobility-focused playstyle, defying the typical AWP reliance, propelled Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major and earned him the coveted Player of the Year award – a remarkable achievement for a rookie.
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Copenhagen Major Chaos: The Copenhagen Major cast a shadow over the Counter-Strike scene. Individuals associated with a virtual casino, protesting against a competitor, stormed the stage, causing damage and disrupting the event. This incident led to increased security measures and a Coffeezilla investigation, exposing questionable practices within the industry.
Apex Legends Hacked: 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, highlighted the game's vulnerabilities and raised concerns about player retention.
Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance: Saudi Arabia continued its expansion into esports, hosting the Esports World Cup 2024 – a two-month extravaganza encompassing 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools. The significant investment and support demonstrated Saudi Arabia's growing influence, culminating in Falcons Esports' victory in the club championship.
Mobile Legends' Ascent, Dota 2's Decline: 2024 showcased contrasting fortunes for different titles. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang's M6 World Championship attracted impressive viewership, second only to League of Legends, demonstrating its expanding global reach. Conversely, Dota 2's International faced declining viewership and prize pools, reflecting a shift in the competitive landscape.
The Best of 2024:
- 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
The esports landscape promises even more excitement in 2025, with anticipated changes, major tournaments, and the rise of new stars.
