Seven Seismic Esports Moments That Rocked 2024

2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil

2024 presented a captivating blend of exhilarating victories and unforeseen setbacks in the world of esports. Established legends faced 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's Major Controversy
• Apex Legends' Hacking Scandal
• Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance
• Mobile Legends' Surge and Dota 2's Dip
• The Best of 2024

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Faker's Legendary Ascent:

The League of Legends World Championship dominated 2024's esports narrative. T1, led by the legendary Faker, successfully defended their title, securing Faker's fifth world championship. This victory transcended mere statistics; it underscored resilience. T1 faced significant adversity in the first half of the year, enduring relentless DDoS attacks that hampered practice and even official LCK matches. Despite these obstacles, they fought their way to Worlds and ultimately triumphed over Bilibili Gaming in a thrilling grand final, with Faker's exceptional performance in games four and five proving instrumental.

A Hall of Fame Induction:

Months before Worlds 2024, Faker achieved another monumental milestone: induction into Riot Games' inaugural Hall of Legends. This event marked a significant step for esports recognition, representing one of the first publisher-backed halls of fame, promising long-term preservation of esports history. The accompanying in-game celebratory bundle also signified a shift in esports monetization strategies.

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Donk's Meteoric Rise in CS:

While Faker solidified his GOAT status, 17-year-old Siberian prodigy, Donk, emerged as 2024's breakout star in Counter-Strike. His remarkable rookie year saw him claim the Player of the Year award, a rare feat, especially considering his eschewal of the AWP. His aggressive, mobility-focused style propelled Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major.

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Copenhagen's Major Controversy:

The Copenhagen Major, however, was marred by significant controversy. Individuals associated with a virtual casino, protesting against a competitor, stormed the stage, damaging the trophy. This incident led to increased security measures at future events and triggered a Coffeezilla investigation into questionable practices within the industry, involving casinos, influencers, and even Valve.

Apex Legends' Hacking Scandal:

The ALGS Apex Legends tournament also suffered disruption due to hackers remotely compromising participants' PCs. This incident, coupled with a significant in-game bug, highlighted serious issues within Apex Legends, prompting player migration to other titles.

Saudi Arabia's Esports Dominance:

Saudi Arabia's influence in esports continued to expand, with the Esports World Cup 2024 serving as a major showcase. The two-month-long event featured 20 disciplines and substantial prize pools. The strong support program for teams, particularly evident in Falcons Esports' club championship win, demonstrated Saudi Arabia's growing investment and impact on the global esports scene.

Mobile Legends' Surge and Dota 2's Dip:

2024 saw contrasting fortunes for different titles. The M6 World Championship for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang attracted impressive viewership, second only to League of Legends, showcasing the game's significant growth despite limited Western penetration. Conversely, Dota 2 experienced a decline in viewership and prize pool for The International, with Valve's termination of crowdfunding experiments indicating a reliance on in-game items rather than direct player and team support.

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 year ahead promises further excitement, with anticipated changes in the Counter-Strike ecosystem, major tournaments, and the emergence of new stars.