The Esports World Cup 2024 is nearing its finale, with major titles such as Dota 2, League of Legends, PUBG Mobile, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang successfully wrapping up their tournaments in the first four weeks. Despite facing criticism as a potential sportswashing tool by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the event has maintained strong viewership. Over 177 million hours of watch time have been recorded so far, according to a recent release.
The release highlights that Dota 2 has outperformed League of Legends at The Esports World Cup 2024 in terms of total hours watched, with 55 million hours compared to League of Legends’ 53 million. However, League of Legends continued to lead in peak viewership, reaching 1.12 million viewers, as reported by Esports Charts, while Dota 2 peaked at 419,000 viewers.
The average viewership of League of Legends soared to an impressive 566,000 viewers, far surpassing Dota 2's 178,000. This disparity highlights a significant gap in audience engagement between the two games. One plausible explanation for this difference is the shorter, more concentrated schedule of the League of Legends event, which may have intensified viewer interest and led to higher peak numbers.
However, attributing this success solely to scheduling would overlook a broader reality: League of Legends has established itself as the dominant MOBA title in esports. In June, we published a feature examining potential strategies for Dota 2 to bridge this gap, emphasizing the need for increased publisher support and strategic initiatives to bolster its competitive scene.
The future of Dota 2 faces uncertainty as Valve Corporation, the developer behind the popular game, reportedly plans to step back from producing The International, Dota 2's most prestigious annual event. Unlike in previous years, Valve's reduced involvement, coupled with the scrapping of the Dota 2 Pro Circuit, suggests that the game's publisher support for Dota 2 esports might not be as robust as the community had hoped. Furthermore, the upcoming release of Valve’s new game Deadlock coupled with its lean organization structure, the company's priorities may shift away from Dota 2, potentially leading to a plateau in its popularity as an esport.
Is League of Legends the Biggest Fish in the Sea?
It comes as no surprise that Dota 2 struggles to match the monumental success of League of Legends, which continues to be the most prominent esports title globally. The game's influence and reach are evident in its record-breaking viewership and financial metrics, positioning it as the dominant force in the industry.
The 2023 League of Legends World Championship drew an astonishing peak viewership of over 6.4 million, not even accounting for the substantial audience in China. This impressive figure highlights the game's unparalleled global appeal, solidifying its status as the premier esports title worldwide.
The financial impact of League of Legends is equally compelling. According to Shikenso, a German company specializing in AI-driven sponsorship analytics, the total global media value generated by sponsors for the 2023 World Championship reached a remarkable $143.24 million. This substantial sum reflects the game's ability to attract high-value sponsorships, providing lucrative opportunities for brands seeking to engage with its vast audience.
For comparison, other major esports events fall significantly short in terms of media value. The Blast Paris Major 2024, a leading Counter-Strike event, generated $49.56 million, while the MSI London 2024, another League of Legends tournament, achieved $71.12 million. These figures underscore the vast disparity in financial clout between League of Legends and its competitors.
League of Legends' dominance was further evident at The Esports World Cup 2024, where it led the field in viewership. The tournament attracted an average of 566,478 viewers, comfortably outpacing other titles. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, its closest rival, managed an average of 406,643 viewers during its Mid Season Cup. In contrast, other popular games like Counter-Strike 2 and PUBG Mobile recorded average viewership figures of 238,006 and 206,472, respectively, illustrating the significant gap that persists.
League of Legends' sustained success can be attributed to its strategic marketing, engaging content, and a loyal fan base cultivated over the past 15 years since its debut. Its approach to esports has set a standard for the industry, challenging other titles to replicate its model of success.
While many have attempted to mimic its achievements, most, including Dota 2, have struggled to match its impact. However, one title has successfully narrowed the gap, and emerged as a formidable contender: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is Closing the Gap
League of Legends may have led the Esports World Cup 2024 in average viewership, but it ceded the top spot in peak viewership to Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. The mobile MOBA game recorded a remarkable peak viewership of 2.38 million during its EWC X MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024 Grand Finals match featuring Falcons AP.Bren and Selangor Red Giants.
In addition to its main event, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang hosted the EWC x MLBB Women’s Invitational 2024, a tournament exclusively for female competitors. This tournament set new benchmarks in audience engagement, earning the title of the top women’s esports event of the year across several key metrics. The broadcasts for this event accumulated over 2.5 million hours watched, establishing it as the most-watched women’s event of 2024 and the second most-watched in the history of women’s Mobile Legends tournaments.
At its peak, the EWC x MLBB Women’s Invitational 2024 attracted 265,100 concurrent viewers, the highest for any women’s esports event this year and the fourth highest ever. Only the 32nd SEA Games - Women's Tournament, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational 2022, and the VCT 2023: Game Changers Championship have recorded higher viewership numbers.
The rise of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang comes as no surprise to industry observers. Launched in 2016 by Moonton, the game has rapidly gained popularity, particularly in Southeast Asia, where mobile gaming has flourished. Its accessibility, requiring no PC, has made it appealing to players from diverse economic backgrounds.
Mobile Legends has become the default MOBA for a large segment of the Southeast Asian audience, effectively capturing a player base that was once dominated by Dota 2. Factors such as shorter match times and collaborations with popular franchises like Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Star Wars, and Transformers have broadened its appeal to casual gamers, making its player base and esports viewership skyrocket.
The success of Mobile Legends in the esports arena can be attributed to Moonton’s strategic investments in developing a comprehensive esports ecosystem. By establishing franchise leagues with substantial prize pools and millions of viewers, Moonton has enhanced the game's visibility and appeal. Additionally, their commitment to nurturing a sustainable grassroots ecosystem through developmental leagues has fostered a competitive environment that attracts professional teams and sponsors alike. These initiatives have not only propelled the game's popularity but also secured its sustained growth and presence in the esports industry.
The M5 World Championship reached a peak viewership of 5.06 million in 2023, making it the second most-watched esports tournament ever. This milestone represents an 18.66% increase from 2022 and a 58.78% rise from 2021. As it continues to grow, Mobile Legends stands as a formidable challenger to League of Legends, positioning itself as the leading alternative MOBA.
Where does this leave Dota 2?
Dota 2 is Going to Plateau and That is Okay
For more than a decade, Dota 2 has held a prominent position in the esports arena, establishing itself as a staple for competitive gaming enthusiasts worldwide. With its strategic depth and intense gameplay, Dota 2 has cultivated a loyal fan base and hosted some of the most prestigious and lucrative tournaments in the industry. As the game ventures into its second decade, however, emerging indicators suggest it may be approaching a plateau in both player engagement and audience growth.
According to data from SteamDB, Dota 2's player base has stabilized at an average of around 500,000 concurrent players. This figure underscores the game's enduring appeal and resilience in retaining a substantial player count despite the increasing competition from newer titles. However, the lack of significant growth in this metric suggests that Dota 2 has reached a level of maturity, where it continues to thrive but no longer expands at the pace it once did during its early years.
In the realm of esports viewership, Dota 2 presents a similarly complex picture. Tier 1 online tournaments consistently draw between 100,000 and 200,000 viewers. This consistent viewership is a testament to the game's dedicated fan base, who continue to tune in for regular competitions. Premier LAN events, however, tell a different story, as they witness viewership numbers soar past 400,000, demonstrating the heightened interest and excitement generated by high-stakes, in-person competitions. These live events continue to be a significant draw for fans, offering an electric atmosphere and showcasing the pinnacle of competitive play.
While Dota 2's numbers are impressive, they fall short of the industry benchmarks set by MOBA competitors League of Legends and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Despite this, Dota 2 maintains a strong position in the esports landscape. It commands significant interest and presence, with viewership exceeding that of other titles like Rocket League's RLCS 2024 - Major 2: London, which averaged 98,000 viewers and peaked at 300,000 or any recent Call of Duty: Warzone tournaments. It still commands a significant presence and interest among esports audiences.
Looking ahead, the future of Dota 2 in the esports ecosystem appears stable. The game's complex mechanics and strategic depth ensure that it continues to maintain a dedicated player base and audience. While it may not ascend to the dizzying heights of its competitors, Dota 2 is expected to maintain its position as a mainstay in competitive gaming, retaining substantial viewer interest at least in the near future.
Dota 2 is far from being in danger of fading away. As the game navigates its second decade, it remains an enduring icon of esports, poised to entertain and engage audiences for years to come.
from AFK Gaming https://ift.tt/Y7wjR6a
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
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