The 2023 Game Awards: All Esports Nominations
As esports becomes increasingly more mainstream, players, teams and coaches are gaining more recognition from the public. The Game Awards aims to highlight the esports participants and titles that have made a splash in 2023 and inspired those who watch. The awards recognize more than simply teams and players – they pay homage to games, coaches and events that make modern competitive esports possible. Let’s examine the nominees for each category.
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Best Esports Game
This category spans a selection of games facilitating competitive esports. These titles shape the current esports atmosphere and attract millions of dedicated fans. Well-known titles like League of Legends, Defense of the Ancients 2 and Counter-Strike join newer additions such as Player Unknown’s Battle Grounds Mobile and VALORANT in this year’s lineup. From first-person shooter to strategy to battle royale, only one game can take home the Best Esports Game crown.
Nominees include:
- Counter-Strike 2
- Defense of the Ancients 2
- League of Legends
- Player Unknown’s Battle Grounds Mobile
- VALORANT
Best Esports Athlete
The “Best Esports Athlete” category includes esports athletes from various competitive games. All players nominated have made a distinct and lasting impact on the game they play and left their marks in esports history. They exhibit exemplary behavior and discipline on and off the field and are figureheads of their respective teams. These are the six esports players who are in the running for the title of the 2023 Best Esports Athlete.
Nominees include:
- Lee “Faker” Sang-Hyeok; League of Legends
- Mathieu “Zywoo” Herbaut; Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Max “Demon1” Mazanov; VALORANT
- Paco “Hydra” Ruziewiez; Call of Duty
- Park “Ruler” Jae-Hyuk; League of Legends
- Philip “ImperialHal” Dosen; Apex Legends
Best Esports Team
This category’s teams have performed above and beyond anyone’s expectations. They exhibit intense discipline, coordination and consistency. The Gaimin Gladiators emerged victorious from all three 2023 DOTA 2 Valve majors, and Evil Geniuses stunned fans with an impressive VALORANT Champions 2023 win. While Evil Geniuses may have taken the Champions 2023 crown, fans hail FNATIC for their significant win in Valorant Champions Tour 2023: Masters Tokyo. Joining Gaimin Gladiators and the two VALORANT powerhouse teams are Team Vitality, winners of three S-Tier Counter-Strike tournaments and JD Gaming, the League of Legends team that steamrolled their 2023 opponents and almost achieved the coveted Golden Road. These teams have already conquered the most prestigious tournaments of their time, but which will secure the title of Best Esports Team to accompany their countless trophies?
Nominees include:
- Evil Geniuses; VALORANT
- FNATIC; VALORANT
- Gaimin Gladiators; Defense of the Ancients 2
- JD Gaming; League of Legends
- Team Vitality; Counter-Strike
Best Esports Coach
These coaches have been instrumental in guiding their teams to victory. Behind the scenes, they have dedicated countless hours and spent limitless energy to ensure their players are healthy, happy and ready to perform to their fullest potential. While the players may rightfully draw the spotlight, a strong and impactful coach is the backbone of any team. Five coaches have secured a coveted nomination in this category – only one will emerge victorious.
Nominees include:
- Christine “Potter” Chi; Evil Geniuses, VALORANT
- Danny “Zonic” Sorensen; Team Falcons, Counter-Strike
- Jordan “Gunba” Graham; Florida Mayhem, Overwatch
- Remy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam; Team Vitality, Counter-Strike
- Yoon “Homme” Sung-Young; JD Gaming, League of Legends
Best Esports Event
Esports enthusiasts eagerly await these events. Tournaments within this category have electric energy and merit significant hype from participants and fans alike. Every bit of work put into the esports industry leads to game day, where only the best of the best can win, let alone participate – players train for years merely to qualify. Watchers have seen intense rivalries, unexpected upsets and unforgettable memories – here are the 2023 nominees.
Nominees include:
- 2023 League of Legends World Championship
- Blast.tv Paris Major 2023
- EVO 2023
- The International DOTA 2 Championships 2023
- VALORANT Champions 2023
The 2023 Game Awards will cap off an unforgettable year of esports history. Now is a time to celebrate 2023’s esports accomplishments – but the celebration will be short-lived. As January nears and competitive seasons draw to a close, players, coaches and teams are already beginning to plan for their next match on the battlefield. The esports grind never stops – we are excited for another year of competitive twists, turns and adventures.
Gabby is a Marketing major at DeSales University and a member of the DeSales University Varsity Valorant team. Aside from Esports, she loves painting, cooking and writing.