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GamingonPhone’s Mobile Esports Year in Review 2024: A Journey of Growth and Innovation

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Story Highlights

  • Despite a massive decline in viewership, MLBB still leads the way for mobile esports in 2024.
  • Brawl Stars made the forefront of mobile esports in 2024 with other Supercell titles doing well.
  • Esports in 2025 will experience a boom in growth, more titles are coming to the scene.

As a lifelong gaming enthusiast and esports fanatic, I must say that 2024 was an exceptional year for mobile gaming and esports. With my years of playing various games and witnessing the evolution of competitive gaming, I can confidently say that this year’s developments have truly redefined the industry.

From the thrilling matches and intense competitions to the innovative events and collaborations, 2024 has been a rollercoaster ride for me as both a player and spectator. The rise of mobile esports has brought gaming closer to me than ever before, allowing me to connect with like-minded individuals from all over the world.

One of my personal highlights was the PUBG Mobile Global Open (PMGO) in Uzbekistan, where I had the chance to witness firsthand the sheer skill and determination of some of the best players in the world. The energy and excitement in the arena were palpable, making for an unforgettable experience that I will cherish forever.

Another standout moment was the introduction of new titles like Pokémon Unite, which has quickly become a favorite among mobile gamers. Seeing the game’s rapid growth and its commitment to developing a robust esports scene has me excited for what the future holds.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing in 2024. As with any rapidly evolving industry, there were challenges and setbacks that tested the resilience of both players and developers. But through adversity comes growth, and I believe that these struggles will only serve to make mobile esports even stronger in the years to come.

As we step into 2025, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement. With the roadmaps for the leading titles already live and promising improvements and innovations, I have high hopes that this coming year will be even more incredible than the last.

And finally, let me leave you with a little joke to lighten the mood: Why don’t mobile esports pros ever get locked out of their accounts? Because they always keep their PINs in the pocket of their gaming hoodie! See you all in 2025!

2024 witnessed an unprecedented boom in mobile esports, with a significant increase in both viewership and events. Major and popular titles propelled esports to uncharted territories. Unlike any other year, the growth potential appears extremely promising. From innovative setups to astounding viewership numbers, the embrace of mobile esports in 2024 is beyond belief. Consequently, we compiled GamingonPhone’s Mobile Esports Year-in-Review for 2024, allowing us to present a comprehensive account of the past year’s events.

Major titles carrying esports, Mobile Legends is on top with record-breaking events

Mobile esports, it could be said, is predominantly associated with a few games. In the major leagues of mobile esports, you won’t find too many substantial titles. However, the number of participants and their backing from prominent players in the gaming market is not insignificant.

Esports spotlight has been dominated by games such as PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, Call of Duty: Mobile, and others. However, one game stole the show by hosting unprecedented events and actions. The popular MOBAs from MOONTON, specifically Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, left everyone amazed with the series of events they organized throughout the year.

Enthusiasts eagerly anticipate major tournaments for each game, where top-tier squads engage in intense competition against one another. These tournaments serve as the heart of esports, with teams vying to establish themselves as champions within their respective genres. The M6 World Championship, the peak esports event of its title, was the most-watched esports event in 2024.

Boasting approximately 4.13 million peak viewers, Mobile Legends stands as the most popular mobile esports title. The average number of simultaneous viewers exceeded 0.7 million, with the Grand Finals being the most-watched match, where Fnatic ONIC PH and Team Liquid ID squared off. According to Esports Charts, Mobile Legends secured four positions in the top 10 of “top esports events of 2024 by peak viewership.” Apart from the M6 World, Indonesia accounted for half of these spots. The Indonesian professional leagues of 2024, specifically the MPL ID Season 13 and MPL ID Season 14, are included in the top 10 list.

Olympic Esports Games: The greatest show on earth is entering its digital version with mobile esports

2024 saw a significant advancement in mobile esports with the announcement of the Olympic Esports Games slated for 2025. Notably, Saudi Arabia collaborated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to organize this event, a fact that was also verified by the IOC. While the specifics regarding the number of games and segments remain undisclosed, the upcoming event has certainly expanded the horizons of mobile esports.

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed great enthusiasm, stating that “Saudi Arabia looks forward to collaborating with the IOC and playing a significant role in ushering in a brand-new chapter for global sports.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into it, and let me tell you, Saudi Arabia has been leading the charge, making the impossible feel achievable! They’ve been putting their all into mobile esports, elevating it to heights never seen before. Now, the real question is: just how far will it grow? Mobile esports in this region is limitless, and that’s all thanks to Saudi Arabia!

Experts within the industry are also discussing and offering perspectives on the potential for esports to become part of the Olympics. This significant recognition of esports is expected to shape the industry’s future over the coming years. Consequently, we sought the opinions of experts regarding the anticipated major effects on the global esports market and related industries. All who responded were optimistic about the initiative and viewed it as a significant step for mobile esports. Benjamin Kratsch, Management Consultant at the Ministry of Sports in Saudi Arabia, stated, “We strive to build the biggest stars on the biggest stages worldwide.” Similarly, other experts shared this positive view.

Indeed, it’s not surprising that the intense rivalry among competitors will significantly influence the total visibility of mobile esports.

Major events are at the center of attraction, leading the way forward for others to make an entry into esports

Each title boasts a major event scheduled for the latter half of the year. Prior to this, titles play host to numerous national, regional, and international events spread throughout the year. Moreover, certain events accommodate multiple titles simultaneously. These competitive events form the foundation of mobile esports, drawing crowds, attention, and fostering connections globally.

Here are some notable events that took place and carried the mobile esports to a new level:

M6 World Championship

The Mobile Legends M6 World Championship will undoubtedly be memorable, too. It unfolded in Malaysia and provided several unforgettable scenes. The tournament concluded when Fnatic ONIC PH took the title as champion. Following this grand esports event for MLBB, there were a series of events that stretched over an entire year, including regional tournaments and professional leagues.

One pivotal moment in the 2024 gaming schedule was the Mid-Season Cup (MSC) 2024, held in Riyadh. Significantly, this event marked the debut of the Esports World Cup (EWC), replacing the previous MLBB Southeast Asia Cup. This was the first time an MLBB event took place outside the SEA region, and it proved to be a huge success, giving the game a boost for future ambitions in the upcoming year.

PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2024

PUBG Mobile boasts a comprehensive and wide-reaching esports plan, standing out as one of the most varied mobile esports offerings. At the pinnacle of its competition lies the Global Championship. The PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2024 was the focal point for battle royale enthusiasts, happening in London during December and crowning Dplus as the victor.

2024 kicked off for the title’s esports scene with a major event, the PMGO, taking place in Brazil. Subsequently, the second significant event, the PMWC 2024, occurred in Riyadh. During this event, Alpha7 emerged victorious and claimed the trophy. The plan included top leagues across America, CSA, and SEA, as well as regional tournaments like PEL, PMRC, PMCL, and more.

Honor of Kings Championship 2024

2024’s Honor of Kings Championship serves as the pinnacle event for the game’s esports landscape, but its format changed significantly following the announcement of a new roadmap. This plan included organizing four major events annually. The year kicked off with the Season 1 Invitational held in Istanbul, followed by the Season 2 Invitational in June. Later in August 2024, the Mid-season Invitational took place in Riyadh.

2024 witnessed an unprecedented triumph for this title I’m such a fan of, and it’s eagerly looking forward to new endeavors in the upcoming year. It has already established itself as a formidable competitor in the MOBA genre, promising to keep us on the edge of our seats with its unrelenting intensity.

Supercell competitive titles

Supercell showcases its esports tournaments on a shared platform. Three competitions were held in Helsinki, Finland during the November-December season. In the end, HMBLE claimed victory at the Brawl Stars World Finals 2024, while Mohamed Light emerged victorious at the Clash Royale League (CRL) 2024. On the contrary, the German team Synchronic Gaming won the Clash of Clans World Championship 2024. Besides the global finals, these titles also hosted numerous monthly events in each region.

Free Fire World Series (FFWS) Global Finals 2024

In the year 2024, Free Fire managed to have a satisfying run as well. It adhered meticulously to its plan, ensuring each event was delivered to both fans and players. The pinnacle of its esports, the FFWS Global Finals 2024, took place in November, with Fluxo emerging as the champion.

Nevertheless, the game organized various qualifying rounds aimed at regional and country-specific competitions. Teams for the Free Fire esports grand event were selected from tournaments like the FFWS SEA Fall 2024, Esports World Cup, FFWS Brazil 2024, FFWS Pakistan 2024, FFWS Middle East & Africa 2024, and FFWS LATAM 2024 Points. Overall, the title by Garena proved to be a successful venture in the past year.

Call of Duty Mobile World Championship 2024

In 2024, the Call of Duty Mobile World Championship stretched over an entire year, culminating in the crowning of a world champion. The team Elevate emerged victorious, triumphing over Qing Jiu Club during the final showdown to claim the championship trophy.

Besides these tournaments, another MOBAs caught the attention of esports enthusiasts: Pokémon Unite. In 2024, it offered a competitively smooth experience and hosted appealing events. Looking ahead, the game plans to continue this trend in the upcoming years too.

Mobile esports spreading wings to the corners of the world, binding all the regions in a thread

Mobile esports in the mainstream sector predominantly originated from Asia. This is evident with the SEA region’s dominance in popular mobile esports games such as Mobile Legends. Additionally, PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings have also been largely dominated by Chinese and APAC teams respectively. Therefore, it can be said that the competitive scene for mobile esports has primarily revolved around this part of the world.

Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia’s push towards decentralizing the esports community proved beneficial for others as well. It led to a dominance of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in major events, and strong teams are now emerging from across the Atlantic. The Latin regions have shown remarkable strength, engaging in fierce competition with established names.

As someone who has been following mobile esports for several years now, I have witnessed the rapid growth and evolution of this exciting industry. One of my most memorable moments was when HMBLE emerged as the champion of the Brawl Stars World Finals in 2024. This victory not only showcased their exceptional skills but also demonstrated that mobile esports is truly a global phenomenon, with no one region holding permanent dominance.

The European team’s triumph reminded me of the time when Clash of Clans dominated the scene, and it was evident that the continent had a powerful presence in mobile gaming. The success of these titles has proven that mobile esports has the potential to become a significant player in the digital entertainment landscape.

I believe that the future of mobile esports lies in its ability to unite all regions and events under one roof, creating a truly global community. By fostering collaboration between different parts of the world, we can elevate this industry to new heights, making it an even more exciting and engaging experience for fans everywhere. I eagerly await the day when mobile esports will be recognized as a major player in the digital entertainment sector, bringing people together from all corners of the globe to celebrate their shared passion for gaming.

New titles joining esports in 2025, making the scene more competitive

2025 promises to be another action-packed year for the esports scene, with ongoing events and dramatic moments. Fresh titles are expected to join the competitive arena too. Notably, MOONTON has disclosed plans to establish an esports ecosystem for Magic Chess: Go Go (MCGG), initially launching in Indonesia before expanding across Southeast Asian countries.

This promises to be a thrilling spectacle to behold. As the game proceeds with careful progression, we can anticipate its victories. Indonesia leads MOONTON’s esports strategy, and the event is set to commence there. Following an evaluation of the results, it will expand to other nations. It’s also worth noting that Southeast Asian countries will have the privilege of experiencing these events firsthand.

Additionally, it appears that the new game, “Rainbow Six Mobile”, is considering launching the esports community. Initially, this will involve local events amongst the community, eventually leading to larger international events.

Consequently, these new games are expected to heighten competition among developers and potentially capture the attention, sponsorships, and enthusiasm of mobile game enthusiasts. Should they successfully establish their own dedicated audience, it would undoubtedly invigorate the mobile gaming community too.

GamingonPhone’s esports Year in Review 2024: What to expect in 2025

As an avid esports enthusiast, I can’t help but get excited about the upcoming esports year in 2025! It promises to be a monumental year, propelling the mobile competitive scene to new heights. With major events already scheduled, it’s clear that the top and rising titles will lead the charge, casting their spell across the globe. The rapid growth of these competitions is also set to impact players, creating opportunities for countless aspirants like myself.

In the future, we’ll witness an increase in emerging creators, players, and individuals associated with the mobile gaming community who will grab the spotlight. Collaborations between brands and joint events will serve as a cornerstone to establish a stronger base. Additionally, numerous countries are now hosting their own, government-supported esports competitions, making it possible for regional collaborations to thrive.

Comparing Numbers with 2023 Season of their events:

— hesketh2 (@subzidite2) December 21, 2024

As a longtime enthusiast of esports and gaming, I find myself both excited and disheartened by the latest developments in mobile esports. On one hand, it’s thrilling to witness the major titles reaching new heights with their events, particularly Mobile Legends leading the charge. The energy and skill on display is truly awe-inspiring.

However, I can’t help but feel a sense of disappointment when I hear that the leading mobile esports title has lost 20% of its viewership in 2024. Just a year prior, the number was over 5M viewers. It’s a stark reminder that even the most popular games are not immune to declines and must continually adapt to stay relevant.

Similarly, the loss of viewership for CODM, another title I follow closely, is also concerning. As someone who has grown up playing these games and watching them evolve over the years, it’s disheartening to see their struggles.

I believe that the key to success in this ever-changing landscape lies in innovation and staying attuned to the needs of the community. The esports world is constantly shifting and I look forward to seeing how these games will adapt to retain their audience and continue to thrive.

In contrast to other titles, some have seen rapid growth and popularity. Brawl Stars, for instance, saw an increase of almost a million viewers compared to its 2023 numbers. Honor of Kings and Free Fire are also significant contributors in this domain. To top it off, the mobile esports industry is undoubtedly heading in the right direction.

Roadmaps for 2025 are already live for the leaders, another exciting year to come

PUBG Mobile is planning significant improvements to its esports scene for next year, with promises of enhanced experiences, increased investment, and more entertainment. The 2025 esports circuit aims to revitalize the ecosystem by introducing fresh events, game modes, and maps. One of their popular international tournaments, PMGO, will return in 2025, taking place once again in Uzbekistan.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m excited to share that KRAFTON India has revealed the BGMI esports roadmap for the first half of 2025. This includes an innovative program called the “Rising Star” initiative. The gaming year will start with the much-anticipated BGIS 2025 in January 2025.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t wait to dive into the groundbreaking esports journey that Mobile Legends has mapped out for 2025! The spotlight will be on epic events such as the M7 World Championship and MCGG esports, to name a few. These major tournaments are scheduled for mid-year, with regional professional leagues launching at the start of the year. What’s more, the game is making waves by extending its influence in China, which promises an exciting chapter for all of us fans!

In 2025, the much-loved game by Supercell, Brawl Stars, unveiled its roadmap with exciting updates. New regions are being added to the map, and the prize pool is getting a significant boost. The World Finals will be shared with two other popular titles: Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, each having their vibrant esports communities. For Brawl Stars esports, we can expect new sub-regions, a prize pool of approximately USD 2 million, and enhancements in the competitive experience.

Looking ahead to 2025, Honor of Kings has exciting plans in store following the successful execution of its 2024 esports blueprint. The game is gearing up for a new chapter next year, with the 2025 esports blueprint promising global tournaments and third-party events, all supported by the game itself.

As a dedicated esports enthusiast, I can’t help but feel the excitement brewing for the upcoming year. Every esports title is gearing up to face some tough challenges ahead. Take Pokémon Unite for instance; it’s already warmed up and leading the pack in shaping the esports landscape. They recently announced the Pokémon World Championships, planning them well into the next couple of years. The 2025 event will be split between Anaheim and San Francisco in 2026.

What’s more, events like the Pokémon UNITE ACL 2025 India League are already on their calendar for regional tournaments. So, it seems that Pokémon Unite has its plans well underway!

2024, being the final year before the onslaught of exciting events in 2025, deserves a round of applause as it paves the way for the future of esports. As we approach the threshold of 2025, we look forward to more thrilling and intense experiences. That wraps up GamingonPhone’s esports Year in Review 2024; see you in 2025!

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2024-12-30 21:13

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