In an age when the line between the real and the virtual is often blurred, Esports has become one of the most compelling, dynamic, and rewarding forms of competition. With the industry's continuous growth, new games are emerging, while some existing ones are reaching new heights of popularity. In this article, we will explore the biggest Esports games that are expected to make a significant impact in 2024.
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League of Legends (LoL)
Developed by Riot Games, League of Legends has grown to be one of the biggest Esports games across the globe. With its strategic gameplay and intense team battles, LoL draws in millions of players and viewers. Year over year, LoL breaks all records in terms of viewership with the League of Legends World Championship.
In 2023, for the first time since 2018, the event will be held in South Korea, starting in Seoul, moving to Busan, and then returning to Seoul for the World Final. This one will surely break all the records once again.
Fortnite
Epic Games founded Fortnite in 2017, and the game quickly became so popular that it took the entirety of the gaming industry by surprise by acquiring the biggest player pool ever seen. With its fantastic mix of battle royale and construction gameplay, gamers fell in love with the game, especially young ones.
The game isn’t as popular as it once was, but it still has potential. Namely, the last major update removed construction gameplay from the game and a lot of gamers decided to return to this Battle Royale phenomenon.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
CS:GO has been a cornerstone of the Esports landscape for years, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. Developed by Valve Corporation, CS:GO offers fast-paced tactical gameplay that demands precise teamwork and individual skill. CS:GO’s major tournaments, such as the Intel Extreme Masters and ESL One, consistently draw massive audiences, and the prize pools are now counted in millions.
In 2023, CS:GO is expected to maintain its position as one of the most-watched and most-played Esports titles. Despite being 10 years old, the game still has more than 1 million active players monthly. And with CS2 just around the corner, the popularity of this game can only grow.
Overwatch
Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch combines elements of first-person shooters and team-based gameplay. The game has its own professional league, the Overwatch League, featuring teams from around the world.
Overwatch's emphasis on teamwork, hero abilities, and engaging matches has earned it a dedicated fan base. In 2022, Blizzards released Overwatch 2, and the game got even better. As for 2024, Overwatch is set to continue captivating players and acquiring new fans as it provides a unique gaming experience, unlike any other game.
Dota 2
Another prominent MOBA title in the world of Esports is Dota 2. Developed with complex mechanics coupled with a high skill ceiling, Dota 2 is one of those games which has been readied to entertain ardent fans of the game along with bustling competitor set ups.
Similarly to LoL’s Worlds, a key tournament for Dota 2 is the International (TI). This tournament always offered the largest prize pools seen throughout the history of Esports. It is a no-brainer, TI will still be the biggest Esports tournament in 2024.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Warzone, the free-to-play battle royale game developed by Activision, has rapidly gained popularity since its release.
With its fast-paced gameplay, impressive graphics, and integration with the Call of Duty franchise, Warzone has become a hit among both casual and competitive players. In 2023, the game got a massive update that changed almost everything. One thing is for sure, we can expect Call of Duty: Warzone to further establish itself as a prominent Esports title.
Valorant
Riot Games' Valorant combines elements of tactical shooters and hero-based gameplay. With its precise gunplay mechanics and strategic team compositions, Valorant has quickly gained attention in the Esports community.
It is a game with constant updates, every new season Riot adds something new, whether it is a new Agent or a new map. This is what keeps the game interesting and it is the exact reason why is Valorant still one of the biggest games in 2024.
Rocket League
Psyonix's (now Epic Game’s) Rocket League combines soccer and vehicular acrobatics, creating a unique and exhilarating gaming experience. With its fast-paced gameplay and weird theme, Rocket League has captured the attention of players and fans worldwide.
The Rocket League Championship Series showcases the highest level of competitive play, and in 2024, we anticipate the game's popularity to soar even higher.