In 2024, the Counter-Strike community witnessed significant developments, including major tournaments, game updates, and ongoing discussions about in-game item gambling.
Major Tournaments and Champions
The year featured several high-profile tournaments that showcased top-tier competitive play:
- Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice (February 3–11): Team Spirit emerged victorious over FaZe Clan, securing the championship in this prestigious event. Wikipedia
- IEM Chengdu (April 8–14): FaZe Clan claimed the title, defeating MOUZ in the finals. Wikipedia
- ESL Pro League Season 19 (April 23–May 12): MOUZ triumphed over Team Vitality, demonstrating exceptional skill throughout the league. Wikipedia
- IEM Dallas (May 27–June 2): G2 Esports secured the championship, overcoming Team Vitality in a competitive final. Wikipedia
- IEM Cologne (August 7–18): Team Vitality defeated Natus Vincere, adding another significant victory to their record. Wikipedia
- IEM Rio (October 7–13): Natus Vincere (NaVi) won against MOUZ, earning a spot in the upcoming IEM Katowice 2025. AS.com
- Perfect World Shanghai Major (November 30–December 15): Team Spirit clinched the Major title after a 2–1 victory over FaZe Clan. Notably, 17-year-old Danil “donk” Kryshkovets was named the tournament’s MVP, becoming the youngest ever to receive this honor. Wikipedia
Game Updates
Throughout 2024, Valve implemented several updates to enhance gameplay and address community concerns:
- April 2 Update: Introduced quality-of-life improvements affecting maps, user interface, and gameplay mechanics. Counter-Strike
- November 12 Update: Focused on fixing pixel peeks, making visual updates across various maps, and improving performance in specific areas.