Esports Highlights: Top 7 Thrilling Moments of 2024

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 highlights the pivotal moments that shaped the year.

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Faker's Legendary Fifth World Championship: The League of Legends World Championship dominated the 2024 esports calendar. T1, led by the iconic Faker, secured their fifth world title. This victory was particularly remarkable given T1's struggles earlier in the year, battling persistent DDoS attacks that severely hampered their practice and participation in the LCK. Their triumphant comeback, culminating in a hard-fought grand final against Bilibili Gaming, solidified Faker's position as an all-time great, with his performance in games four and five being instrumental to their win.

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Faker Enters 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 significant step for esports recognition, representing one of the first major esports halls of fame directly supported by a publisher, signaling a commitment to its long-term sustainability. The launch of a commemorative in-game bundle also highlighted a new era in esports monetization.

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Donk's Meteoric Rise in Counter-Strike: While Faker cemented his legacy, 17-year-old Siberian prodigy, donk, emerged as 2024's breakout star in Counter-Strike. His exceptional skill and aggressive playstyle, without relying on the typically dominant AWP, propelled Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major and secured him the coveted Player of the Year award – a rare feat for a rookie.

Copenhagen Major Chaos: The Copenhagen Major was overshadowed by significant disruption when individuals, motivated by a dispute between rival virtual casinos, stormed the stage and damaged the trophy. This incident forced a reassessment of tournament security protocols and triggered a Coffeezilla investigation into questionable practices within the gaming industry, involving casinos, influencers, and even Valve.

Apex Legends Hackers and Game Instability: The ALGS Apex Legends tournament suffered a serious setback due to hackers remotely compromising participants' PCs. This incident, coupled with a significant in-game bug that rolled back player progress, highlighted the game's instability and sparked concern among players, potentially leading to a shift in player interest towards other titles.

Saudi Arabia's Esports Investment: Saudi Arabia's influence in esports continued to expand, hosting the Esports World Cup 2024 – a two-month extravaganza encompassing 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools. The substantial investment in teams, particularly Falcons Esports, who secured the club championship, demonstrates Saudi Arabia's growing commitment to the esports ecosystem and its potential impact on team management strategies.

Mobile Legends Bang Bang's Ascent and 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 global appeal despite a relatively modest prize pool. Conversely, Dota 2 experienced a decline in both viewership and prize pool for The International, with Valve's decision to discontinue crowdfunding experiments underscoring a shift in the game's economic model.

2024 Esports 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

2025 promises to be another exciting year for esports, with anticipated changes in the Counter-Strike landscape, major tournaments on the horizon, and the continued rise of new stars.