2024: A Year of Esports Triumphs and Turmoil
2024 was a year of exhilarating highs and frustrating setbacks in the world of esports. Established legends faced unexpected challenges, while newcomers burst onto the scene, reshaping the competitive landscape. From shocking upsets to controversies that rocked the industry, 2024 delivered a dramatic narrative. This article recaps the year's defining moments.
Table of Contents
- Faker's Legendary Year
- Induction into the Hall of Legends
- Donk's Meteoric Rise
- Chaos at the Copenhagen Major
- Hacking Scandal Rocks Apex Legends
- Saudi Arabia's Esports Extravaganza
- Mobile Legends' Ascent, Dota 2's Decline
- The Best of the Best
Faker's Legendary Year
Image: x.com
The League of Legends World Championship dominated the 2024 esports calendar. T1, led by the legendary Faker, defended their title, securing Faker's fifth world championship. This victory was particularly impressive given the significant obstacles T1 faced. Throughout the first half of the year, the team was plagued by relentless DDoS attacks, severely hampering their practice and even impacting official LCK matches. Despite this adversity, T1 clawed their way to Worlds, ultimately triumphing in a thrilling grand final against Bilibili Gaming. Faker's exceptional performance, especially in games four and five, cemented his status as a true esports icon.
Induction into the Hall of Legends
Image: x.com
Months before Worlds 2024, Faker achieved another monumental milestone: he became the inaugural member of Riot Games' official Hall of Legends. This event was significant not only for its symbolic importance but also for its implications for the future of esports recognition, marking a new era of publisher-backed halls of fame.
Donk's Meteoric Rise
Image: x.com
While Faker solidified his legacy, 2024 also saw the emergence of a new star: 17-year-old donk from Siberia. This Counter-Strike prodigy dominated the competition, claiming the Player of the Year title—a remarkable feat for a rookie, especially considering his unconventional, aggressive playstyle and avoidance of the typically dominant AWP role. Donk's skill propelled Team Spirit to victory at the Shanghai Major.
Chaos at the Copenhagen Major
The Copenhagen Major, however, was marred by controversy. Individuals protesting a rival virtual casino stormed the stage, causing damage to the trophy. This incident had far-reaching consequences, leading to increased security measures at tournaments and sparking a Coffeezilla investigation into shady practices within the esports industry.
Hacking Scandal Rocks Apex Legends
The Apex Legends ALGS tournament suffered a significant disruption due to hackers remotely installing cheats on players' PCs. This incident, coupled with a major in-game bug that rolled back player progress, highlighted serious issues within the game, causing many players to consider alternative titles.
Saudi Arabia's Esports Extravaganza
Saudi Arabia's influence in esports continued to grow in 2024, culminating in the massive Esports World Cup, a two-month long event encompassing 20 disciplines and offering substantial prize pools. The strong support program further solidified Saudi Arabia's position, with the homegrown Falcons Esports team securing a championship victory.
Mobile Legends' Ascent, Dota 2's Decline
2024 saw a stark contrast in the fortunes of two major titles. The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M6 World Championship demonstrated impressive viewership, second only to League of Legends, highlighting the game's global growth. Conversely, Dota 2 experienced a decline, with The International generating significantly less hype and prize money than in previous years. Valve's decision to end crowdfunding experiments underscored the shift in the game's ecosystem.
The Best of the Best
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
2024 proved to be a year of both remarkable achievements and significant challenges for the esports world. With anticipated changes in the Counter-Strike ecosystem and a new generation of rising stars, 2025 promises to be another thrilling year.
