AWARDING THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MADE A

DIFFERENCE IN THE ESPORTS INDUSTRY

ESI HALL OF FAME

The ESI Hall of Fame awards ceremony returned on November 28th 2023 as part of the WE Summit in Busan, South Korea in collaboration with headline partner IESF. For the first time, the awards ceremony was held in the APAC region at the BEXCO. The ESI Hall of Fame awards ceremony once again highlighted the achievements of four individuals in the esports industry and recognised the work they have done in the sector.


The ESI Hall of Fame will return in 2024, with the location to be revealed in due course.

WHAT IS THE ESI HALL OF FAME?

The ESI Hall of Fame is an ongoing project designed to honour those who have most contributed to the development of esports as a business over its long and storied history. We do not discriminate based on role or company, and the only thing all our inductees have in common is their incredible achievements within our industry.

Our induction ceremonies have taken place at the Natural History Museum in London (2018), at Nixon Peabody’s rooftop in Los Angeles (2019), online (2020-21), at Platform in London (2022), and at the BEXCO in Busan (2023).

Each year ESI will recognise members of the esports community at large who have made a real difference to the sector in differing capacities over the course of their careers. These will be individuals who have played a prominent role in the promotion of esports, while displaying a level of commitment like few others. Those who have been pushing the industry forward through thick and thin, for the greater good of players, organisations and spectators all around the world.

AWARDS CATEGORIES

In 2023, the Hall of Fame awards ceremony distributed awards in four categories:

Hall of Famer

Recognising an individual that has made a highly significant contribution to the industry at large and aided in its growth.

Rising Industry Star

Recognising the achievements of an individual that is newer to the industry but who is already making a notable, positive impact in esports.

Youth Award Champion

This award recognises the actions of an individual who is actively contributing in this area and continues to inspire the next generation.

Community Champion

Esports isn’t all about the top tier competitions and big prize pools. This award recognises some of those making the right moves to support the grassroots and within their local communities.

CURRENT PARTNERS

Supporting Partner

INDUCTEES

CLASS OF 2023

ESI HALL OF FAMER

James Yang Tencent

JAMES YANG

TENCENT

RISING INDUSTRY STAR

Meg Kay Story Mob

MEG KAY

THE STORY MOB

YOUTH CHAMPION

Kevin Hoang AcadArena

KEVIN HOANG

ACAD ARENA

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Debora Imanuella luna nera

DEBORA IMANUELLA

LUNA NERA


CLASS OF 2022

ESI HALL OF FAMER

MATTHIEU DALLON

TRUST ESPORT

RISING INDUSTRY STAR

DOMINIKA SZOT

GRID ESPORTS

YOUTH CHAMPION

TELMO SILVA

GROW UP ESPORTS

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

JON WINKLE

EPIC.LAN


CLASS OF 2021

2021 INDUCTEE

SUE ‘SMIX’ LEE

VP, TALENT MANAGEMENT

RTS


CLASS OF 2020

2020 INDUCTEE

NAZ ALETAHA

GLOBAL HEAD OF LEAGUE OF LEGENDS ESPORTS

RIOT GAMES

2020 INDUCTEE

MIKE SEPSO

CO-FOUNDER AND CEO

VINDEX

2020 INDUCTEE

ANNA ‘LAETJEN’ NORLANDER

VICE PRESIDENT PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

DREAMHACK (ESL GAMING)


CLASS OF 2019

2019 INDUCTEE

HECTOR ‘H3CZ’ RODRIGUEZ

OWNER & CEO

OPTIC GAMING

2019 INDUCTEE

HEATHER ‘SAPPHIRE’ GAROZZO

VP MARKETING

DIGNITAS

2019 INDUCTEE

MARCUS ‘DJWHEAT’ GRAHAM

DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

TWITCH


CLASS OF 2018

2018 INDUCTEE

MICHAL ‘CARMAC’ BLICHARZ

VP PRO GAMING

ESL

2018 INDUCTEE

JASON ‘1’ LAKE

CEO

COMPLEXITY GAMING

2018 INDUCTEE

CHRIS PUCKETT

BROADCASTER & PRODUCER

PREVIOUS SPONSORS

AWARDS CRITERIA

Awards for each category are handed out based on inductees meeting the following criteria:

Hall of Famer

You are someone who has played a major role in helping to shape the esports industry into what it is today, and propel it forwards.

You are a credit to the industry, and someone whose commitment to the space, and hard work within it, are undeniable.

You’ve worked within the space for a minimum of three years. 

Rising Industry Star

You are someone who has made a provable positive difference and contribution over the past 12 months (+) to the esports industry in whichever field you operate in. 

You are over the age of 18, and work / have worked in a professional capacity (PT or FT) within the esports industry. 

You have worked in the industry for 4 years or less.

Youth Award Champion

You work directly with youth (those aged 18 and under) using esports.

You have made a provable, positive contribution via these initiatives and works.

Community Champion

You work within or have created a local community focused esports initiative in either a paid or voluntary position.

This could be anything from establishing fan club to organising viewing parties, running or establishing a competitive gaming venue, to hosting upskilling workshops. 

Your work and personal involvement has made a clear and positive difference to the lives of others in your local community.

2023 EVENT HALL OF FAMER

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