Esports is not dead, but new games need to be “memorable” like League of Legends

There is a rumor that e-sports is dying. Some say it was just another COVID-19 phase, while others compare it to the NFT rush and the battle for the metaverse, two trends that, while still popular, no longer carry the weight they did once had. But esports isn’t dying – it’s actually very much alive. In 2024 League of Legends Worlds drew nearly 7 million viewers, an increase from 2023, when the total was around 6.4 million. Worlds continues to grow in popularity every year, so I asked Team LiquidSteve Arhancet, Co-CEO of , and John Lewis, Vice President of eSports, share their views on the current eSports market and how new games can break into this market.

After all, we haven’t seen a new esports-ready title in a while. The last real breakthrough was Valorant, backed by Riot’s stellar esports ecosystem and nurtured by a series of well-organized smaller hype tournaments like First Strike. The sector now has five real pillars: Dota 2, Call of Duty, Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends and Valorant, with the once popular multiplayer games Overwatch and Smite falling into relative obscurity.

I ask Arhancet about the current state of the industry – despite the continued growth of LoL and Valorant, many believe it is on the verge of collapse. “I completely disagree,” says Arhancet.

“League of Legends, a game that started over 13 years ago, broke several viewership records this year,” he tells me. “Esports viewership is on the rise; The number of players has increased and to the right. We are in it for the long haul and have a solid plan to be a global, multi-generational organization that is a leader in our field. We see this time as an opportunity.”

While Arhancet admits that Liquid “performed below our expectations” at Worlds, 2024 was no slouch. Where TL once competed against TSM in North America, Flyquest has emerged as a bold new rival hoping to topple Blue and co. Arhancet tells me that it’s “great to have storylines and rivalries in the league,” noting that both teams are “striving to build winning squads,” fanning the flames of what “has the makings of a healthy one.” Rivalry” promises to be.

After all, esports is not just about wins and losses or the coveted viewership numbers. The first esports match I ever watched was the 2019 LCS Summer Finals, where Liquid surpassed TSM’s record and won their fourth consecutive trophy. It was the rivalry between Soren “Bjergson” Bjerg and Yilang “Doublelift” Peng that sparked my love for esports – it’s about the stories, not just the numbers.

The formation of new rivalries is what makes the sector so interesting, but we haven’t seen any new, major esports games in recent years – certainly not independently run games. I’ve been waiting for a new entry into the fray, and Supervive from Theorycraft Games is what’s on my radar. The MOBA/Brawler hybrid was developed by a team of former Rioters who aim to create “the most exciting games in the world.” He’s breaking internal records everywhere and has no plans to slow down.

I ask Lewis what makes an esports game and how to break into a saturated market. He tells me that it “takes a special game,” one that is “fun that players will play for years, and a deep game at the highest level that will provide fans with unforgettable viewing experiences.”

“The gameplay and mechanics of the game must also allow for the expression of extensive skills,” he continues, “so that the best players in the world can really shine so that fans can continue to watch them.” After all, a very important component is a publisher, who has a clear (positive) vision for his role in building this esports ecosystem.” Supervive seems to be on the right track.

As we look ahead to League of Legends in 2025 with its new themed seasons and fearless Draft Pro system, I’m excited to see how Liquid performs. In the meantime, though, check out our LoL tier list if you’re looking to stomp around the Rift this holiday season, or alternatively, our League of Legends tiers overview if you’re hoping to climb the tier list next year.

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