2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil

2024 presented a captivating blend of exhilarating victories and frustrating setbacks in the world of esports. 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
• 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's victory, securing Faker his fifth world title, transcended mere statistics. The team's journey was fraught with adversity, facing relentless DDoS attacks that severely hampered their preparation throughout the first half of the year. Despite these obstacles, T1 clawed their way to Worlds, ultimately triumphing in a thrilling grand final against Bilibili Gaming. Faker's exceptional performance, particularly in games four and five, solidified his legendary status.

A Hall of Fame Induction

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Months before Worlds 2024, Faker achieved another monumental 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 publisher-backed halls of fame, promising long-term sustainability.

Donk's Meteoric Rise in CS

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While Faker cemented his GOAT status, 2024 witnessed the explosive arrival of Donk, a 17-year-old Siberian Counter-Strike prodigy. His unprecedented rookie year culminated in a Player of the Year award, a remarkable feat considering his avoidance of the statistically favored AWP role. Donk's aggressive playstyle propelled Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major.

Copenhagen Major Chaos

The Copenhagen Major cast a shadow over Counter-Strike's year. A disruptive protest by a virtual casino against a competitor resulted in stage invasion and trophy damage, significantly altering the tournament atmosphere and prompting heightened security measures. The incident triggered a Coffeezilla investigation, exposing questionable practices within the casino, influencer, and even Valve spheres.

Apex Legends Hacked

The ALGS Apex Legends tournament suffered a major setback due to hackers remotely compromising participants' PCs. This incident, coupled with a game-breaking bug that reversed player progress, highlighted the game's instability and sparked concerns about player retention.

Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance

Saudi Arabia's influence on esports continued its upward trajectory. The Esports World Cup 2024, a two-month extravaganza encompassing 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools, underscored this growing presence. The success of Falcons Esports, a Saudi Arabian organization, in winning the club championship, showcased the impact of strategic investment.

Mobile Legends' Surge, Dota 2's Dip

2024 showcased contrasting fortunes. The M6 World Championship for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang attracted impressive viewership, second only to League of Legends, demonstrating the game's global expansion despite a relatively modest prize pool. Conversely, Dota 2 experienced a decline in both viewership and prize pools, prompting Valve to discontinue crowdfunding initiatives, highlighting the reliance on in-game items for past success.

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 esports landscape promises continued excitement in 2025, with anticipated changes in Counter-Strike, new tournaments, and the emergence of future stars.