As we approach the new year 2025, let’s look back at the milestones of Esports in 2024
VCS Explodes with the “32 Players” Scandal
In the history of League of Legends and Esports in Vietnam in general, it is probably impossible to find a larger scandal than the “32 players” incident that occurred just as the Spring 2024 LCK group stage was about to conclude. Starting from some initial suspicions, the incident erupted into a major drama that shocked the entire League of Legends world. Previously, scandals in the League of Legends scene were only discovered in lower-tier tournaments.
The incident nearly plunged VCS into a crisis. Teams lost nearly half to their entire rosters. However, thanks to the efforts of the parties involved, VCS still completed the challenging 2024 season in preparation for a promising 2025 filled with even more upheaval.
EWC 2024 – The First Esports World Cup in History
The year 2024 also marked the inaugural Esports World Cup – a tournament that organizers from Saudi Arabia deemed equivalent to the “World Cup of Esports.” Not only was the prize pool massive, but EWC also signified the beginning of Middle Eastern countries seriously investing in this “smokeless industry.”
Although not yet classified within the official competition system of Esports game publishers, EWC 2024 attracted considerable attention. According to announcements from Saudi Arabia, future Esports development projects will continue to be implemented in the coming years, and powerful teams from around the world like T1, Na’Vi… will be the pioneers.
The Sudden Departure of EGO
One of the significant losses for VCS in 2024 was undoubtedly the sudden departure of EGO – the former VCS champion who was once hailed as the “Heir of SofM.” At an age where he should be thriving on both domestic and international stages, EGO spiraled downwards after a series of dramas, ultimately leaving this world unexpectedly.
It can be said that EGO’s departure has truly saddened the Vietnamese League of Legends community. In just over a year, a player who was once at the peak could fall straight to the bottom, and until now, no one can accurately place the blame; what remains is the regret for a talented yet flawed player in Vietnamese Esports.
PUBG Vietnam Roars on the World Stage
The year 2024 can be considered a very successful year for PUBG. In June, CERBERUS Esports excelled in becoming the champion of PGS 3, and player Himass also took home the MVP title, being the best PUBG player in the world at that time. Notably, CES’s victory was a “comeback” as they trailed the leading team Twisted Minds by 34 points before the finals.
At the end of the year, PUBG Vietnam also “sealed” 2024 in a grand manner with The Expendables’ championship at PGC 2024. The “mercenary team” made history as the first PUBG team from Vietnam to become world champions, successfully lifting the most prestigious trophy in the famous battle royale game.
The Quiet International
Since the introduction of the Compendium system, the DOTA 2 community has always been proud to have the tournament with the largest prize pool in the Esports world. At the same time, this factor helps the game maintain a certain appeal amidst the rise of games like League of Legends and VALORANT, while mobile games are capturing significant market shares.
However, TI 2024 can be described as a somewhat… quiet TI. The champion, Team Liquid, only truly impressed by adding another shield to their collection. The highlight for Vietnam Esports was merely the image of the Vietnamese flag brought to the stage by the family of Vietnamese-origin player miCKe.
A Sad Year for Arena of Valor in Vietnam
While League of Legends in Vietnam still had certain highlights, and PUBG made history, Arena of Valor also made its mark but in a way no one wanted. Thus, the summary of 2024 for Arena of Valor in Vietnam can be encapsulated in the term “empty-handed.”
In both of the biggest tournaments in the Arena of Valor world, the Vietnamese representatives were eliminated early. Notably, the Saigon Phantom players even made some “provocative” gestures that annoyed the audience after their defeat at AIC 2024. These players later had to delete their posts but have yet to issue a proper apology to the fans.
T1 Steals the Spotlight in the Esports Scene
If we consider ups and downs, it is perhaps difficult to find a team like T1 in the entire Esports scene in 2024. In fact, they were even rated lower than in 2023 when entering the World Championship. Many believed that, due to Faker’s seemingly uncontrolled actions prior, he was no longer the hope of the “World Championship King.”
But then, putting all doubts aside, T1 showcased a playstyle that was a complete 180-degree turnaround from their previous form. Faker became the FMVP, directly leading T1 to clutch situations and bringing the team back to the championship title at the World Championship.
T1’s achievement can be considered the most remarkable highlight for global Esports in 2024, and perhaps no other team or individual will replicate this again.