TOP 5 eSports tournaments worth watching

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Today, eSports tournaments are spectacular events that attract millions of viewers around the world. Exciting battles in virtual arenas, massive prize pools, and iconic moments have become a phenomenon of our time. Let’s take a look at the most famous and significant of them, which have changed the world of gaming forever.

The International – The Triumph of Dota 2

The International, the largest Dota 2 eSports tournament, was first held in 2011 when Valve wanted to showcase the project’s full potential. Organized as part of Gamescom in Germany, the competition was a true breakthrough. Professional teams from all over the world were invited to compete for a million-dollar prize, an incredible sum for eSports at the time. Thanks to the support of the community and Valve, The International has become the most prestigious event, increasing its prize pool and number of participants every year.

For many years, participants in Dota 2 esports tournaments have amazed the world with their skills and unconventional solutions. Team OG, for example, became legendary by winning two consecutive tournaments, which is considered a tremendous achievement in such a competitive environment.

Prize Pools and Their Significance

The 2021 prize pool exceeded $40 million, clearly underscoring the magnitude of this esports tournament. This significant financial support was made possible by the crowdfunding system, where fans contribute money by purchasing in-game items. Huge sums of money not only motivate players to reach new heights but also serve as recognition for their efforts and talent.

Unique Moments

Each The International is filled with amazing moments that linger in the memory for years to come. One of the most legendary was the OG team’s comeback in the 2018 final against PSG.LGD, when OG managed to turn the tide and become champions despite all the odds. Moments like these underscore the unpredictability and spectacularity of the events and keep millions of viewers rooting for the game and their hearts racing.

PGL Major on CS – The World of Weapons and Strategies

PGL Major in CS is one of the most well-known eSports tournaments, first held in 2017. Since its inception, it has established itself as a major event in the world of Counter-Strike. CS eSports tournament participants such as Na’Vi and Astralis contribute enormously to popularizing the game, and their strategy and skill inspire millions of fans around the world.

Tournament Format and Structure

The competition consists of several phases: the Challengers phase, where teams go through the initial selection process, then the Legends phase, where the best of the best advance, and finally the playoffs, where only the strongest survive. The format of PGL Major eSports tournaments requires not only individual skill but also well-coordinated teamwork, which makes the matches particularly exciting.

The Biggest PGL Major Winners

Astralis is a team rightfully considered legendary. They have won the PGL Major three times, demonstrating incredible synergy and precision work from each member. Also worth mentioning is Na’Vi, who won the 2021 title by going through the entire tournament without a single loss – an admirable result.

League of Legends World Championship – War for the Throne of Glory

When the League of Legends World Championship was first held in 2011, no one could have predicted that the esports tournament would become a massive event attracting millions of viewers. Riot Games invested in the competition from the very beginning, building a strong infrastructure and attracting fans. Today, participants in League of Legends esports tournaments are world-class stars who compete not only for prize money, but also for fame and recognition.

Prizes and Support from Riot Games

Riot Games is committed to developing the esports ecosystem. Riot’s support is expressed not only in large prize pools, but also in organizing regional leagues and providing high-quality broadcasts. These efforts make League of Legends competitions among the most popular in the world, and viewers are treated to a true gaming feast.

Memorable Matches and Legendary Teams

SKT T1’s victories, led by the legendary Faker, were among the most notable. Their clash with DAMWON in the 2020 finals is a classic moment etched in every fan’s memory.

Valorant Champions – A New Star on the Horizon

Valorant Champions emerged as a new esports tournament that was able to attract the attention of a large number of players and viewers. Inspired by the success of LoL, Riot Games laid the groundwork for Valorant’s rapid growth in popularity. The first competition immediately brought together the best teams and demonstrated that Valorant has every chance of becoming a new giant in the industry. Participants in Valorant esports tournaments are already achieving excellent results, demonstrating a high level of tactical and responsiveness.

Event Structure and Features

The structure includes several phases: from the open qualifier to the final round, where only the best teams advance. The hallmark of Valorant Champions is the variety of tactics used by participants, making each match unique and unpredictable.

New Legends: Valorant Champions

Acend was the first player to win the Valorant World Championship, demonstrating incredible teamwork and tactical preparation. The victory helped create a new level of legends in esports and underscores the importance of tournaments in developing new stars.

Overwatch League – A League of Unlimited Possibilities

The Overwatch League was founded by Blizzard to unite players from all over the world. This esports tournament was one of the first attempts to create a full-fledged sports league in the world of esports. It offered its participants stable contracts and regular events, attracting a large number of viewers and establishing Overwatch as one of the most important esports titles.

Format and Structure of the Overwatch League

The Overwatch League’s regular season is divided into several phases, followed by playoffs and grand finals. The Overwatch League’s esports tournament format involves distributing teams across different regions and holding regular meetings, maintaining fan interest throughout the year.

Winners and Significant Moments

The San Francisco Shock have become one of the most successful teams in Overwatch League history, winning the championship title twice. Their victories demonstrated that well-coordinated teamwork and a clear strategy are key elements of success.

Esports Tournaments: Conclusion

Esports tournaments are the stage where legends are born. Here, passion and skill combine with huge prizes and millions of viewers. Every competition is a story of dedication, hard work, and the desire to be the best. Try to feel those emotions by watching the upcoming tournaments, because esports is the future, and it’s already here.

Main ranking systems in eSports: ELO, MMR, regional and world rankings

Ranking systems in eSports form the basic structure that keeps the industry afloat, providing balance and transparency. The mechanisms create an environment where amateurs and professionals compete on an equal footing, motivating growth and development. The main task is not just to record the level of players, but also to provide benchmarks for tournament selections and award distribution. Why do we need a ranking in eSports? Firstly, it serves as a benchmark for players, helping to determine the level of skill and highlight the strongest. Secondly, rankings encourage fair matches and increase the interest of spectators. In the professional arena, they are a tool for assessing the readiness of teams for world tournaments.

How do rating systems work in cybersport?

Algorithms take into account complex parameters. Most schemes are based on analysing wins, losses, as well as the level of opponents. Dota 2 uses MMR, which adjusts the difficulty of matches based on the current results of players. In CS:GO and League of Legends the rating is based on ELO, where not only the frequency of victories is important, but also the importance of the opponent. How is the rating calculated in cyber sports? For example, the ELO system captures rating changes using the formula: E=Ra+K×(S-E)E = R_a + K \times (S – E)E=Ra+K×(S-E), where RaR_aRa is the current rating, SSS is the match result, and EEE is the expected outcome. This approach is used in many disciplines, including FPS and MOBA.

Ranking varieties: local scale and global arena

A regional ranking system rates participants within localised eSports tournaments. The approach helps to track the development of teams and players in a particular region, highlighting the strongest players for international competition. The world ranking combines the results of regional championships and major tournaments such as ESL Pro League or Worlds. This data forms the final picture of leadership in the industry. The mechanism takes into account not only wins, but also their context, such as the importance of the event or the level of opponents.

ELO, MMR and other systems: how rankings are calculated in eSports

The ELO system was developed as a method of objectively calculating the strength of players in chess. Later it became a universal tool for rating analyses in various disciplines, including cybersports. The main principle is to compare the positioning of the participants and calculate the probability of the outcome of the match. Victory over a stronger opponent brings more points than over a weaker one. In case of defeat against the second – more points are lost. The algorithm calculates the rating through the formula: R′=R+K×(S-E)R′ = R + K \times (S – E)R′=R+K×(S-E), where:

R is the current rating;
S is the match result (1 – win, 0.5 – draw, 0 – loss);
E is the expected result;
K is the coefficient affecting the rate of rating change.

In cybersports, the ELO rating system is used in CS:GO and other competitive games where it is important to quickly calculate positions after each session. The versatility of the method allows it to be used in genres from shooters to strategies. The peculiarity is the simplicity of implementation. The disadvantage is the complexity of accounting for team efforts, so the results may not always reflect the personal contribution of each participant.

MMR: Deep Balance Adjustment

MMR, or Matchmaking Rating, is suitable for more flexible assessment of individual and team skills. Unlike ELO, this method focuses not only on the result of a match, but also on statistics within the game. In Dota 2, the scheme is divided into two areas:

Ranked MMR captures the overall level of a player in a competitive environment.
Unranked MMR is applied in less formal sessions, influencing the selection of opponents.

The algorithm analyses dozens of parameters, such as hit accuracy, number of kills, help to allies and other metrics. This allows the individual contribution of each participant to be taken into account, even in the event of a loss. In League of Legends, MMR also forms a level playing field for matches. Developers incorporate up to 200 factors into matchmaking schemes, including play style, favourite champions, average session length and current season activity. MMR shows high accuracy in balancing, especially in team-based disciplines such as MOBAs. The disadvantages manifest themselves in the high level of waiting for matches, especially during peak hours when the engine experiences a shortage of players with close skill levels.

What ranking systems are used in eSports?

Depending on the genre of the game, algorithms are adapted to the needs of gameplay:

FPS games such as CS:GO are more likely to use ELO due to its simplicity and high calculation speed.
MOBA games such as Dota 2 or League of Legends favour MMR, which better reflects the contribution of each participant to a team victory.
Strategy or simulation games may use hybrid models that combine elements of ELO and MMR.

Player Matching Systems: Perfect Balance or Utopia?

Player matching systems are formed to ensure fair competition. These algorithms analyse a variety of factors including skill level, experience, playing style and current form. Case studies: In League of Legends, opponent selection takes into account previous matches, MMR rating, frequency of wins and losses, and behavioural parameters (e.g. penalties for infractions). In Dota 2 and other MOBA projects, mechanisms also pay attention to meta – current trends in the use of heroes or tactics. Schemes often encounter complaints about imbalance. The main problems:

Limited number of players during certain hours of the day. For example, in CS:GO, this leads to novices and professionals being combined in the same match.
Uneven distribution of skills in team games. For example, one experienced participant in Dota 2 can compensate for a weak session of the whole team, which reduces the accuracy of the result.
Dependence on servers and ping. A high level of latency negatively affects the outcome of matches, even if the balance is maintained.

Why follow the rankings?

Ranking systems in eSports provide objectivity and encourage the development of players and teams. Participants see their strengths and weaknesses, teams get a tool to analyse their performances, and organisers get a method to select applicants. Honesty and transparent positioning builds audience trust and increases the popularity of cybersport as a full-fledged industry.

January 15, 2025

Top 5 best eSports games of 2024: legends and breakthroughs

Interest in cyber sports games is on the rise in 2024, and for good reason: legends continue to capture the hearts of millions, and new breakthroughs are creating adrenaline rushes around the world. This year has been a true sea change in cyber culture, with key disciplines demonstrating the breathtaking skills of players and developers.

Perennial favourite: League of Legends

League of Legends (LoL) continues to be one of the great cybersport titans. The developers are once again surprising fans with updates that drastically change the gameplay. The main difference this year is a new item system and an overhaul of the forest mechanics, including unique buffs for each forest monster. New champions include Constant, who can temporarily block damage across the entire team, and Blade of Wind, whose abilities focus on speed attacks and tactics to infiltrate the enemy’s defensive line.

The most significant changes are the addition of two new artefacts to Sapport’s options: the Crystal Maelstrom, which gives the team a temporary armour boost, and the Unity Mirror, which allows them to redirect damage from allies to themselves. These changes increase the relevance of cybersport games in 2024 and give professional competitors new tools to dominate tournaments.

Professional leagues and competitions

The global LoL scene is full of events, each of which is a real treat for fans. Tournaments such as the LCK and LEC continue to attract millions of viewers, but the real highlight of the season is the World Championships. This year’s World Championship was won by Team T1, who returned to the throne after a difficult start. In the deciding game, they employed a new strategy called ‘Capture the Forests’, actively gathering resources and organising attacks on the opponent’s base.

The arena battles show why LoL remains one of the best tournament games. Each match is a real-time chess game, with tactical moves and instant decisions. Teams now utilise a double attack tactic, using a killer champion (Zed) along with a supporter, which leads to more aggression on the frontline and increases the chances of winning.

Dota 2: Tactics make the difference

Dota 2 continues to conquer the top and inspire thousands of players to new heights. The updates include changes to the heroes and their abilities that turn the usual meta on its head. For example, there is a new hero, the Storm Magister, who can accumulate an energy charge and summon a lightning bolt that damages all enemies within range. The new artefact ‘Phoenix Shield’ gives players the ability to resurrect after their first death, which significantly changes the dynamics of battles.

Cyber sports games in 2024 use the example of Dota 2 to show how the story can develop without losing depth and complexity. Particular attention is paid to the tactics of map conquest and the use of new artefacts.

The international tournament and other events

The International 2024 was once again the epicentre of the eSports universe, bringing together the best of the best from around the world. The prize money totalled a record 50 million dollars. This year’s event is most remembered for the incredible battle between PSG.LGD and Team Secret, which PSG.LGD managed to win despite losing two key baselines. The main tournament shows the level of the participants and sets trends for the entire community. Events of this magnitude are a demonstration of the strength, skill and amazing abilities of the professionals.

How players succeed

The key to success in Dota 2 lies in analysis and planning. Professional competitors like Puppey analyse each opponent closely to identify their weaknesses. What games do professional cyber athletes play to prepare for tournaments? They spend hours in test matches, practising new strategies by using heroes with increased mobility (such as Ember Spirit) to attack and retreat without losing.

CS:GO: Timeless classics with a modern twist

CS is still one of the pillars of cybersports today and continues to delight fans. With the latest updates, new maps and weapons have been added that have a significant impact on the dynamics of the game. The new map ‘Bastion’, for example, has a unique multi-level structure that allows for different tactics to conquer key points. Popular cybersports games in 2024 continue to inspire, and CS is one of the best examples of how to maintain audience interest without changing the core mechanics.

Why is CS still so popular?

Cybersport disciplines like CS remain relevant thanks to their unique combination of speed, tactics and dynamics. The updated weapon recoil mechanics have added realism and force players to learn how to control each shot. This makes for an exciting session, as each round is a battle of wits, reflexes and precision, where every mistake can cost you victory.

Valorant: a mixture of strategy and speed

Valorant continues to evolve: the developers have significantly changed the balance of the agents. There is a new agent – ‘Knox’, he can create toxic zones that temporarily prevent opponents from using their abilities. Cyber sports gaming in 2024 has gained an even greater tactical element that requires teams to adapt quickly.

How is Valorant conquering cyber sports?

Valorant is becoming increasingly popular with new cyber sports players and fans. The best tournament games require not only shooting skills, but also strategic thinking. Valorant competitions like Masters 2024 attract top teams from all over the world. This year, Fnatic came out on top with their strategy of using support agents to take complete control of the map, which earned them first place. The report shows that Valorant is a fully-fledged tactical game where the ability to utilise skills determines the winner.

Overwatch 2: the rebirth of team dynamics

Over the course of the year, Overwatch 2 will receive updates that bring significant changes to the gameplay. New heroes such as Ultim, a tank with the ability to create a force barrier, and Scorpion, an attacker specialising in close combat, open up new tactical possibilities for teams.

Overwatch 2 competitions and championships

Overwatch 2 tournaments are a true spectacle, where every match is a battle of strategies and skills. The Overwatch League presented new teams and outstanding performances. Dallas Fuel won first prize with their mobile barrier strategy, which allowed them to effectively defend control points and fend off the enemy onslaught.

Conclusion

The year 2024 was an important milestone for cybersports games. The five projects analysed – League of Legends, Dota 2, CS, Valorant and Overwatch 2 – continue to set standards in the world of eSports, attracting new fans and offering unique opportunities for professionals. This year, watch tactics evolve, new heroes emerge and exciting tournaments unfold. Try your hand at one of these games and immerse yourself in a world where every moment can be decisive.

March 23, 2025