Introduction
As an avid gamer and esports enthusiast, I’m always looking ahead to see what new and exciting competitive video games are on the horizon. With esports viewership and prize pools continuing to grow exponentially each year, 2024 is shaping up to be a monumental year for the industry. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll be highlighting 5 of the hottest esports titles that are poised to make a huge splash in 2024 and delve into why they’re primed for competitive gaming stardom. Whether you’re a casual viewer looking to get into esports or a seasoned veteran, read on to discover which games you should keep an eye on.
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s popular hero shooter, Overwatch. Launching in 2023, Overwatch 2 will revamp the original game’s graphics, gameplay, and introduce new modes, heroes and maps.
Here’s why Overwatch 2 has the potential to become a leading esport in 2024:
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Strong Brand Recognition: Overwatch League is already one of the most popular esports leagues. Building on that foundation, Overwatch 2 will bring in new fans and fuel further growth.
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Appealing Gameplay: Overwatch’s character-based combat and diverse hero roster provides exciting and dynamic matchups. New characters and maps will further enhance competition.
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Developer Support: Blizzard has proven they are committed to supporting the Overwatch League. Additional funding and improved spectator tools in Overwatch 2 will elevate production value.
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Global Appeal: Top Overwatch teams hail from Asia, Europe, and North America. Its worldwide fanbase demonstrates global commercial viability.
With Overwatch League’s media rights deals with YouTube and ESPN expiring in 2023, expect even more investment into OW2’s esports ecosystem as publishers jockey for the next contract.
League of Legends 2
As the world’s most played PC game, League of Legends dominates the esports scene. Its premier competition, League of Legends World Championship, holds the record for highest esports tournament prize pool, at over $2.2 million USD in 2021.
Riot Games has announced that League of Legends 2 (LoL 2) is in early development and slated for release in 2024. Here’s why this sequel could raise the bar even higher:
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Massive Player Base: With over 100 million monthly players, LoL 2 will have an enormous audience to engage.
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Established Esports Infrastructure: LOL’s 13 global professional leagues offer a solid foundation to build on.
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Gameplay Refinement: LOL’s fast-paced 5v5 matches are already beloved by fans and pros. LoL 2 will likely refine and improve upon this formula.
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Riot’s Track Record: Riot has proven they can operate esports at a global scale. LoL 2 will be a priority for their continued growth.
LoL 2 has incredibly big shoes to fill. But with Riot’s steady leadership and the brand recognition of League of Legends, the sequel is in the perfect position to become 2024’s most prominent esport.
Valorant
Valorant stormed onto the tactical shooter scene in 2020 and quickly made its mark in esports. Developed by Riot Games, Valorant pits teams of 5 against each other using lethal abilities and tactical gunplay.
Here are the key factors that will elevate Valorant’s competitive presence in 2024:
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Riot Pedigree: Valorant benefits from Riot’s over 10 years experience cultivating League of Legends as an esport.
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Strategic Depth: Valorant provides high skill ceiling gameplay that rewards strategy and teamwork. This creates compelling competition.
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Global Events: In 2021 Riot launched the Valorant Champions Tour, a worldwide tournament circuit that will expand going forward.
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Viewership Growth: Valorant event viewership has increased steadily since launch. Its accessible gameplay lends itself to casual viewing.
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Female Participation: Valorant boasts one of the highest rates of female players and pros. This aspect broadens its appeal significantly.
Given Riot’s proven marketing acumen and Valorant’s astronomical popularity, I expect 2024 to mark the year this tactical shooter cements itself as a leading FPS esport.
Fortnite Chapter 4
Fortnite needs no introduction. Since launching in 2017, Epic Games’ cartoony battle royale extravaganza has become a true cultural phenomenon. While competitive Fortnite has taken a backseat to its casual audience in recent years, there are indicators 2024 may reverse that trend.
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New Chapter, New Start: Fortnite Chapter 4 releases in 2023 and will usher in gameplay changes tailored to enhance competitive integrity.
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Revamped Competitive: Epic has suggested they’ll rebuild competitive Fortnite modes from the ground up for Chapter 4.
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Developer Focus: Epic recently doubled down on their commitment to support Fortnite esports for years to come.
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Established Personalities: Many top streamers like Ninja got their start dominating competitive Fortnite matches. Their star power persists years later.
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Massive Audience: Fortnite’s audience dwarfs other top esports. Even a fraction of that would represent huge viewership.
Fortnite’s popularity has given Epic both the means and incentive to transform it into a premier esport. The timing aligns for Chapter 4 to finally deliver on that promise in 2024.
Wild Rift
Wild Rift brings the League of Legends experience to mobile in a streamlined form. Developed by Riot Games, Wild Rift condenses the classic 5v5 MOBA matches into mobile-friendly 15-20 minute rounds.
Here’s why Wild Rift is on the road to huge mobile esports success by 2024:
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Optimized Gameplay: Wild Rift’s controls and pacing are tailored for competitive mobile play. This emphasis will foster growth.
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Regional Events: Wild Rift esports tournaments are already underway across South Asia, Europe, China and more regions.
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Massive Player Base: Within a year of release, Wild Rift garnered over 80 million downloads. The built-in mobile audience is massive.
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Riot Marketing: Riot has the experience and motivation to transform Wild Rift into a leading mobile esport.
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Low Barrier to Entry: Wild Rift brings League of Legends-style competition to casual mobile gamers, broadening its competitive appeal.
In 2022, Riot announced a $2 million Wild Rift esports global championship. Expect even bigger prizes, viewership and sponsorship dollars to pour in during 2024 as Wild Rift cements itself as the premier mobile MOBA esport.
Conclusion
2024 is set to be a momentous year for esports, with several highly anticipated games making their mark on the competitive gaming scene. From futuristic hero shooters like Overwatch 2 to strategic staples like League of Legends 2, these titles represent the next evolution of multiplayer gaming. There will certainly be plenty of nail-biting esports moments, underdog stories, and new champions crowned across these burgeoning titles.
As an avid gamer, I know I’ll be following all the 2024 esports developments closely. The competitive gaming landscape evolves rapidly, but these five games have proven development teams and game foundations to become legendary. When the dust settles, I believe Overwatch 2, League of Legends 2, Valorant, Fortnite Chapter 4 and Wild Rift will stand above the rest. Which game’s competitive scene are you most excited to follow in 2024? Let me know in the comments!
