Esports has gained millions of fans and players worldwide in recent years, with countless memorable moments in the industry’s history. Some of these include the League of Legends World Championship Finals in 2014, the “Miracle Run” of EVO Moment 37, the StarCraft II GSL Finals in 2013, the Dota 2 International 2015 Grand Finals, the retirement of Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, and the birth of Twitch, which has become a cornerstone of the esports world. These moments and many more have left a lasting impact on esports and will continue to shape its future.
Breaking Down the Most Memorable Moments in Esports History
Esports has exploded in popularity over the past few years, gaining a following of millions of fans and players worldwide. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a serious competitor, there have been countless moments in esports history that have left a lasting impact on the industry. Here are some of the most memorable moments in esports history.
League of Legends World Championship Finals 2014
The League of Legends World Championship Finals in 2014 was one of the most anticipated events in esports history. The finals were held in Seoul, South Korea, and saw two of the biggest names in esports, Samsung White and Star Horn Royal Club, face off against each other. Samsung White ultimately emerged as the victors, winning the tournament and cementing their place in esports history.
The Miracle Run of EVO Moment 37
During the EVO 2004 Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike grand finals, Daigo Umehara pulled off one of the most incredible comebacks in esports history. With just a pixel of health remaining, Daigo managed to parry an attack from his opponent, Justin Wong, and counter with a series of attacks that resulted in a victory. Known as “EVO Moment 37,” this unforgettable moment is still talked about to this day.
StarCraft II GSL Finals 2013
The 2013 StarCraft II Global StarCraft II League (GSL) Finals were another unforgettable moment in esports history. The finals saw two of the best players in the world, INnoVation and Soulkey, face off against each other in a grueling seven-game series. Ultimately, INnoVation emerged as the victor, winning the tournament and wowing the crowd with his incredible skill and strategic play.
The TI5 Grand Finals
The Dota 2 International 2015 (TI5) Grand Finals saw two of the biggest names in esports, Evil Geniuses and CDEC Gaming, face off against each other in a best-of-five series. Evil Geniuses ended up winning the series 3-1, taking home the $6.6 million prize pool and cementing their place in esports history. The final match was intense and filled with incredible plays that left fans on the edge of their seats.
The Retirement of Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok is one of the biggest names in esports, particularly in the League of Legends community. In 2019, there were rumors swirling that Faker was considering retiring from professional play. The esports world was left in shock when Faker announced his retirement during an emotional press conference. Faker’s retirement marked the end of an era and sent shockwaves through the esports world.
The Birth of Twitch
Twitch is one of the most popular streaming platforms for video games and esports events. It all started in 2011 when the platform was launched under the name Justin.tv. Twitch quickly became the go-to platform for people who wanted to watch their favorite games being played live by professional players. Today, Twitch is a cornerstone of the esports world and has helped to make esports more accessible to fans all over the world.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the most memorable moments in esports history. From incredible comebacks to unexpected retirements, esports has never been short on drama. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, there will undoubtedly be many more unforgettable moments to come.