Esports has experienced significant growth in the past 10 years, resulting in memorable moments that go down in esports history. From clutch plays, unexpected upsets to scandalous revelations, here are the top 10 most memorable esports moments. They include the likes of the Daigo Umehara’s comeback, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok’s outplay, The Miracle Run of OG, The Match-Fixing Scandal, The International 2017, The Miracle on Ice, EVO 2015 and the Rise of Smash Bros. These moments have solidified the status of multiple players, games and teams in the esports world, as well as presenting a reminder to the industry of its potential to draw in massive audiences.
The Most Memorable Moments in Esports History: A Top 10 List
Esports, or competitive video gaming, has skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade. As the industry grows, so do the memorable moments that will go down in esports history. Whether it’s a clutch play, an unexpected upset, or a scandalous revelation, here are the top 10 most memorable moments in esports history.
10. Daigo’s EVO Moment 37
Daigo Umehara, a legendary Street Fighter player, pulled off an incredible comeback against Justin Wong in the finals of EVO 2004. With his health bar nearly depleted, Daigo managed to perfectly parry Wong’s Chun-Li super combo and counter attack for the win. This moment is often referred to as “EVO Moment 37” and remains one of the most iconic moments in fighting game history.
9. Faker’s Zed Outplay
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok is widely considered one of the greatest League of Legends players of all time. In a 2013 match against KT Rolster Bullets, Faker demonstrated his exceptional skill by outplaying multiple opponents with his champion, Zed. The play was so impressive that it became known as “the Faker outplay” and solidified his status as a legend in the esports world.
8. The Miracle Run of OG
In 2018, the Dota 2 team OG shocked the esports world by winning The International, the game’s most prestigious tournament, as underdogs. The team fought their way through the lower bracket, winning multiple elimination matches and even using unconventional strategies to secure their victory. The triumph of OG is a reminder that anything can happen in esports.
7. Life Wins the GSL Championship
Lee “Life” Seung Hyun became the youngest player to win the Global StarCraft II League Championship in 2012 at just 15 years old. He defeated his opponent, the heavily favored player Kim “sOs” Yoo-jin, in a stunning comeback after losing the first two games of the best-of-seven series. Life’s victory was an inspiration to young players around the world and solidified his place as a StarCraft II icon.
6. xPeke’s Backdoor
In a 2013 game of League of Legends between Fnatic and SK Gaming, Fnatic’s mid-laner Enrique “xPeke” Cedeño Martinez pulled off a daring backdoor play that secured the victory for his team. With SK Gaming focused on defending Fnatic’s base, xPeke snuck into SK’s base and took down their Nexus, the structure that determines the winner of the game. The play has since become one of the most iconic in League of Legends history.
5. The Match-Fixing Scandal
In 2015, a match-fixing scandal rocked the Korean StarCraft II scene. Four prominent players were caught throwing matches for monetary gain, leading to their expulsion from the professional scene and an uproar within the community. The scandal served as a wake-up call for the esports industry, highlighting the need for better regulation and ethical standards.
4. The International 2017
The International 2017, the seventh edition of Dota 2’s premier tournament, was a landmark event in esports history. The tournament featured a record-breaking $24 million prize pool and saw Team Liquid, a European team, dominate the competition. The grand finals, in which Team Liquid defeated Chinese team Newbee, drew millions of viewers from around the world and cemented Dota 2’s status as a major player in the esports industry.
3. Overwatch League Inaugural Season
The Overwatch League, a professional league for Blizzard’s popular hero-shooter game, debuted in 2018 to great fanfare. The league features city-based teams and a regular season format similar to traditional sports. The inaugural season was a huge success, drawing in millions of viewers and demonstrating the potential for esports to compete with mainstream sports for viewership and legitimacy.
2. The Miracle on Ice
In Dota 2, a “team wipe” occurs when an entire team is eliminated without any of the players surviving. The Miracle on Ice refers to a game in the 2016 Shanghai Major in which the team OG pulled off three team wipes in a row against Team Secret, securing their victory in the tournament. The incredible feat left spectators in awe and cemented OG’s status as a dominant force in Dota 2.
1. EVO 2015 and the Rise of Smash Bros.
At EVO 2015, the world’s largest fighting game tournament, Super Smash Bros. Melee stunned the esports world by drawing in record-breaking numbers of viewers and participation. The game, which had been released over a decade earlier, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight and became a major player in the esports industry. The success of Smash Bros. at EVO 2015 demonstrated the incredible potential for esports to draw in massive audiences and solidified the game’s status as a legendary title in the esports canon.
Esports has come a long way since its early days and the industry shows no signs of slowing down. As players continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible and new games rise to prominence, we can be sure that there will be many more unforgettable moments to come.