The Evolution Of Esports Trophies - From Simple Plaques To Elaborate Works Of Art
Esports has come a long way since its early days as a niche hobby enjoyed by a small group of enthusiasts. Today, esports is a billion-dollar industry with millions of fans tuning in to watch competitive gamingtournaments and events.
As the popularity of esports has grown, so too has the importance of trophies and awards for the winners of these events. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the evolution of esports trophies, from simple plaques to elaborate works of art.
Early Days - Simple Plaques And Medals
In the early days of esports, trophies and awards were often simple and straightforward. The first-ever esports tournament, the Space Invaders Championship, awarded winners with a small trophy that featured a joystick and a button. Similarly, early tournaments for games like Doom and Quake often awarded winners with simple plaques or medals.
As esports began to gain more mainstream recognition, however, the design and presentation of trophies became more elaborate.
The Rise Of The Esports Trophy Industry
As esports grew in popularity, the demand for high-quality trophies and awards also increased. This led to the creation of a thriving esports trophy industry, with companies specializing in the design and production of custom trophies and awards for esports events.
Today, top-tier esports tournamentsoften feature elaborate, custom-designed trophies that are works of art in their own right. These trophies can range from sleek and modern designs to more elaborate creations that incorporate precious metals, jewels, and intricate designs.
Incorporating Precious Metals And Jewels
As esports trophies have become more elaborate, some tournament organizers have begun to incorporate precious metals and jewels into their designs. For example, the trophy for the League of Legends World Championship, one of the biggest esports events in the world, features a gold-plated statue of the game's character, Summoner's Cup, atop a base made of crystal, silver and rubies, you can check this guide here about why ruby properties make the best for trophiesfrom Bernardine.com a jewelry website from crafting experts.
Similarly, the trophy for the Dota 2 International features a gold-plated statue of the game's hero, the Aegis of Champions, surrounded by a ring of five precious gems.
Pushing The Boundaries Of Design
As the esports trophy industry has grown, so too has the level of creativity and artistry on display in the design of these trophies. Some tournament organizers have even commissioned world-renowned artists and designers to create one-of-a-kind trophies for their events.
For example, the trophy for the Red Bull Battle Grounds StarCraft II tournament was designed by artist Frank Kozikand features a statue of a Zergling, one of the game's most iconic creatures.
Examples Of Esports Trophies
One of the most iconic esports trophies is the Summoner's Cup, which is presented to the winner of the League of Legends World Championship. The trophy is a gold-plated statue of the game's character, Summoner's Cup, atop a base made of crystal and silver. The trophy is designed to be both elegant and imposing, and has become a highly prized collectors' item among League of Legends fans.
Another impressive esports trophy is the Aegis of Champions, which is presented to the winner of the Dota 2 International. The trophy features a gold-plated statue of the game's hero, the Aegis of Champions, surrounded by a ring of five precious gems. Like the Summoner's Cup, the Aegis of Champions is highly coveted among Dota 2 fans and collectors.
Overwatch League Trophy
The Overwatch LeagueTrophy is presented to the winner of the Overwatch League, a professional esports league featuring the popular game Overwatch. The trophy features a winged globe made of crystal, with the game's hero, Tracer, posed in victory on top. The trophy is a striking and visually impressive piece, and serves as a symbol of the dedication and skill required to compete at the highest level of Overwatch.
Intel Grand Slam Trophy
The Intel Grand Slam Trophy is presented to the first team to win four Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) tournaments in a span of ten events. The trophy features a gleaming silver globe, with the Intel logo prominently displayed on top. The trophy is a testament to the teamwork and strategy required to succeed in CS:GO, and has become one of the most highly coveted trophies in the esports industry.
Evo Championship Belt
The Evo Championship Belt is presented to the winner of the Evolution Championship Series (Evo), one of the most prestigious fighting game tournaments in the world. The belt is a striking and imposing piece, featuring a large gold buckle and a wide leather strap adorned with detailed metallic plates. The belt is designed to be worn by the champion, and serves as a symbol of their dominance and skill in the fighting game genre.
While the trophies themselves may seem like small details, they play an important role in the overall spectacle of esports events. They serve as a tangible symbol of the hard work and dedication that goes into becoming a top-level esports player or team. As such, we can expect to see even more stunning and creative designs in the years to come as esports continues to gain mainstream recognition and acceptance.
Hearthstone Championship Trophy
The Hearthstone Championship Trophy is presented to the winner of the Hearthstone World Championship, a competition featuring the popular online collectible card game Hearthstone. The trophy features a golden hearthstone set atop a crystal pedestal, with the name of the tournament etched into the base. The trophy is a beautiful and elegant piece that perfectly captures the spirit of Hearthstone.
Rocket League Championship Trophy
The Rocket League Championship Trophy is presented to the winner of the Rocket League Championship Series, a competition featuring the popular game Rocket League. The trophy features a large silver ball set atop a pedestal, with the game's logo and the names of the winning team and tournament etched into the base. The trophy is a sleek and impressive piece that perfectly captures the fast-paced and exciting nature of Rocket League.
Fortnite World Cup Trophy
The Fortnite World Cup Trophy is presented to the winner of the Fortnite World Cup, a competition featuring the popular battle royale game Fortnite. The trophy features a golden figure of the game's character, Victory Royale, set atop a pedestal made of crystal and gold. The trophy is a stunning and imposing piece that perfectly captures the competitive and intense nature of Fortnite.
The Summoner's Cup
The Summoner's Cupis one of the most iconic and prestigious esports trophies in the world. It is awarded to the winners of the League of Legends World Championship, an annual event that attracts the best players and teams from around the globe.
The Summoner's Cup was first introduced in 2011, at the inaugural League of Legends World Championship. The trophy was designed by Thomas Lyte, a luxury trophy maker based in London, and was inspired by the game's lore.
The trophy stands at 70 centimeters tall and is made of sterling silver, with gold plating on the handles and base. The cup is adorned with a large crystal that glows with an eerie blue light, which is meant to represent the game's powerful Summoner's Rift.
People Also Ask
What Is Esports Tournament?
An esports tournament is a competition where professional gamers or teams compete against each other in video games for cash prizes, titles, and recognition. Esports tournaments can range from small local events to large international competitions, and can take place online or in physical venues.
What Is Esports Player?
An esports player is a professional gamer who competes in esports tournaments. Esports players are highly skilled in one or more video games, and often have a deep understanding of game mechanics, strategies, and tactics. They may compete individually or as part of a team, and must have excellent communication and coordination skills to succeed.
Is Esports Only Gaming?
While esports is primarily associated with gaming, it is not limited to gaming alone. Esports can also include competitive events for other types of digital entertainment, such as virtual sports or digital card games.
However, video games remain the primary focus of the esports industry, with games like League of Legends, Overwatch, and Fortnite attracting millions of players and viewers worldwide.
Conclusion
As esports continues to grow and evolve, so too will the design and presentation of trophies and awards for the winners of these events. From simple plaques and medals to elaborate works of art incorporating precious metals and jewels, the evolution of esports trophies is a testament to the creativity and innovation of the esports industry as a whol
About The Authors
Cody Parker- Cody Parker is a passionate gamer and esports enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry. He began his career as a competitive player, competing in a variety of games including first-person shooters, MOBAs, and strategy games. With a deep knowledge of gaming strategy, mechanics, and trends, Cody transitioned to the world of esports journalism, where he has established himself as a trusted and respected voice in the industry. As a writer and analyst, Cody has covered some of the biggest esports events in the world, providing expert analysis and insights into the latest trends, strategies, and players in the scene. His work has been featured in some of the biggest esports publications, and he has appeared as a guest commentator on numerous esports broadcasts. Cody is committed to providing his readers with the most informative and entertaining esports content possible, and is always on the lookout for new trends, developments, and strategies in the industry. Whether you're a casual gamer or a dedicated esports fan, you can count on Cody to bring you the latest and greatest insights from the world of competitive gaming.