7 Main Esports Moments of 2024

2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil

2024 presented a captivating blend of exhilarating victories and unforeseen setbacks in the esports world. Established legends faced 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 Status Solidified
• Induction into the Hall of Legends
• Donk's Meteoric Rise in Counter-Strike
• Copenhagen Major's Tumultuous Aftermath
• Apex Legends' Hacking Scandal
• Saudi Arabia's Dominant Esports Presence
• Mobile Legends' Ascent and Dota 2's Dip
• The Best of 2024

Faker's Legendary Status Solidified

Image: x.com

The League of Legends World Championship dominated the 2024 esports narrative. T1's victory, securing Faker's fifth world championship title, transcended mere statistics. The team's journey was fraught with adversity, facing persistent DDoS attacks throughout the first half of the year, severely hindering their practice and almost jeopardizing their qualification for Worlds. Their triumphant comeback in Europe, culminating in a nail-biting grand final against Bilibili Gaming, showcased Faker's unparalleled skill and cemented his legacy as a true esports icon. His performance in games four and five was instrumental in securing T1's victory.

Induction into the Hall of Legends

Image: x.com

Months before Worlds 2024, Faker achieved another monumental milestone: becoming the inaugural member of Riot Games' official Hall of Legends. This event was significant not only for its symbolic value but also for its implications for the future of esports recognition, representing a publisher-backed hall of fame designed for longevity. The release of a commemorative in-game bundle also marked a notable shift in esports monetization strategies.

Donk's Meteoric Rise in Counter-Strike

Image: x.com

While Faker solidified his GOAT status, 17-year-old Siberian prodigy, Donk, emerged as 2024's breakout star in Counter-Strike. His exceptional performance, characterized by aggressive play and pinpoint accuracy, propelled Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major, earning him the coveted Player of the Year award – a remarkable feat for a rookie, especially considering his unconventional avoidance of the AWP role.

Copenhagen Major's Tumultuous Aftermath

The Copenhagen Major was marred by significant controversy when individuals, motivated by a dispute between rival virtual casinos, disrupted the event, causing damage to the trophy. This incident had far-reaching consequences, leading to increased security measures at future tournaments and sparking a Coffeezilla investigation into questionable practices within the esports gambling industry, potentially leading to legal ramifications.

Apex Legends' Hacking Scandal

The ALGS Apex Legends tournament suffered a major setback due to a hacking incident, where hackers remotely compromised participants' PCs, installing cheats. This occurred alongside a game-breaking bug that rolled back player progress, highlighting the game's instability and prompting concerns about player retention.

Saudi Arabia's Dominant Esports Presence

Saudi Arabia's influence in esports continued its expansion, with the Esports World Cup 2024 standing out as a major event, spanning two months and encompassing 20 disciplines with substantial prize pools. The substantial investment and support for teams, culminating in Falcons Esports' victory in the club championship, solidified Saudi Arabia's growing impact on the global esports scene.

Mobile Legends' Ascent and Dota 2's Dip

2024 witnessed contrasting fortunes for two prominent titles. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang's M6 World Championship demonstrated impressive viewership, second only to League of Legends, showcasing the game's remarkable growth despite limited Western exposure. Conversely, Dota 2 experienced a decline in viewership and prize pool, with Valve's decision to end crowdfunding experiments indicating a shift in the game's economic model.

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

2025 promises even more thrilling esports action, with anticipated changes in the Counter-Strike ecosystem, exciting tournaments, and the emergence of new stars.