7 Main Esports Moments of 2024

2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil

2024 witnessed a captivating blend of exhilarating victories and frustrating setbacks in the esports world. Established legends faced unexpected challenges, while newcomers emerged to redefine the competitive landscape. This retrospective highlights 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
• Copenhagen Major Chaos
• Apex Legends Hackers Strike
• 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 the phenomenal Faker, secured their fifth world title. However, their journey was far from smooth. Persistent DDoS attacks plagued T1 throughout the first half of the year, severely hindering their practice and even threatening their qualification for Worlds. Despite these obstacles, T1's triumphant run, particularly Faker's masterful performance in the grand finals against Bilibili Gaming, cemented his status as an unparalleled esports legend.

Induction into the Hall of Legends

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Months before Worlds 2024, Faker achieved another monumental milestone: becoming the inaugural member of Riot Games' official Hall of Legends. This event marked a significant step for esports recognition, representing a publisher-backed hall of fame designed for lasting impact, further amplified by a celebratory in-game bundle.

Donk's Meteoric Rise in Counter-Strike

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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 year, culminating in a Player of the Year award and victory at the Shanghai Major with Team Spirit, defied expectations with his aggressive, mobility-focused playstyle.

Copenhagen Major Chaos

The Copenhagen Major cast a shadow over Counter-Strike's year. A disruptive protest by individuals associated with a virtual casino, targeting a rival, led to stage intrusion and trophy damage. This incident intensified security protocols and triggered a Coffeezilla investigation into questionable practices involving casinos, influencers, and even Valve, potentially leading to legal ramifications.

Apex Legends Hackers Strike

The ALGS Apex Legends tournament suffered a significant disruption due to hackers remotely compromising player PCs and introducing cheats. This incident, coupled with a major in-game bug, highlighted the game's vulnerabilities and contributed to player attrition.

Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance

Saudi Arabia's influence in esports continued to expand. The Esports World Cup 2024, a two-month spectacle encompassing 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools, showcased this growth. The success of Falcons Esports, a Saudi Arabian organization, in the club championship, underscored the impact of strategic investment and potentially inspired improved management practices within the esports industry.

Mobile Legends' Surge and Dota 2's Dip

2024 presented contrasting fortunes for two prominent titles. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang's M6 World Championship attracted impressive viewership, second only to League of Legends, demonstrating its expanding global reach despite a relatively modest prize pool. Conversely, Dota 2's International faced a decline in viewership and prize pool, prompting Valve to discontinue crowdfunding initiatives, suggesting that past success relied more on in-game item sales than player/team support.

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

The future of esports looks bright, with anticipated changes in the Counter-Strike ecosystem, promising tournaments, and the emergence of new stars. Let's look forward to an even more exciting 2025!