Community

Streamer of the year –

Description:
The Streamer of the Year honours the most distinguished streamer who has raised the standards of streaming and increased the profile of esports across the globe over the past 12 months. The winner will have consistently been at the pinnacle of streaming, pushing boundaries of what is possible and providing constant entertainment for a large group of fans across the judging period.

Criteria 1:
Hosted live streams throughout the last year related to video games

Criteria 2:
Built and sustained a large audience of viewers who are consistently entertained.

Criteria 3:
Innovated in the area of streaming with new ideas, technological advancements or overall quality.

Esports Personality of the Year.

Description:
The Esports Personality of the Year honours someone who has contributed to the esports industry as a whole in a large way over the past year. This could be by driving forward a major product such as a game or brand, raising awareness of a major issue in the esports world, being a notable member of the esports community and influencing at all levels, or someone who has shown impeccable integrity over the year. Those with a strong industry standing, high level of popularity and who have provided a large contribution to the world of esports are all notable in this category.

Criteria 1:
Someone involved with the esports industry that has built and sustained influence.

Criteria 2:
Has had a significant impact on the esports industry over the past 12 months.

Criteria 3:
Has advanced the esports world in awareness, engagement and interest.

Esports Content Creator of the Year

Description:
The Esports Content Creator of the Year honours the hard working creators who bring fans high quality content to keep them entertained, informed or educated. Anyone who curates content whilst attracting a mass scale audience is eligible with the panel taking into account areas such as presenting style, popularity, originality, integrity and the overall quality of the content. Whether it’s behind the scenes looks at a player’s life or a detailed analysis of an almost unnoticeable play that turned a game, great content inspires millions, and here we honor the very best creators in esports.

Criteria 1:
Has created high quality content around esports in the last year.

Criteria 2:
Has established a large audience for the content.

Criteria 3:
Produced innovative content that brings something never seen before to the esports world.

Esports Play of the Year

Description:
The Esports Play of the Year honours a piece of in game skill that pushes the boundary on what is considered achievable in a title. It might be a perfectly executed plan that has never been seen before or it might be an incredible feat of reactions and control that only a top calibre player could pull off. The play of the year will have had a significant impact on the game it happened in as well as captivates the crowd. Fans vote definitively on a monthly basis to create the Play of the year shortlist, with the panel also able to enter two wildcard options to the finalists based on the plays that just missed out on the fan vote.

Criteria 1:
A singular play from any esport that pushed the boundaries of what was thought to be possible.

Criteria 2:
An incredible piece of skill that had a significant impact on the overall game.

Criteria 3:
A display of skill at the top level for esports, rarely seen or executed at a professional level.

Esports Live Event of the Year

Description:
The Esports Live Event of the Year honours an event from the past year that pushed the world of esports events forward, be that via a large attendance and coverage, critical acclaim or innovation in the field. It will have been a meaningful, entertaining and engaging event for both fans and players, regardless of the game or league it was associated with.

Criteria 1:
A live esports event with significant attendance over the past 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Large audience both online and in person with critical acclaim of the event.

Criteria 3:
Innovation in terms of live event experience or broadcast.

Esports Mobile Game of the Year

New Version:

Description:
Esports Mobile Game of the Year will honour a game that, over the past 12 months, has pushed the world of mobile esports forward. This could include, but is not limited to, showing creativity and innovation tailored towards the portability of a handheld device. Any game available on a mobile device could win, providing it has evidenced competitive gaming that translates and captures the essence of esports competition in a mobile format.

Criteria 1:
A game available on mobile devices over the last year.

Criteria 2:
A title that has offered a prized competition during the judgement period.

Criteria 3:
Global recognition and seamless accessibility.

Esports Collegiate Award

New Version:

Description:
The Esports Collegiate Award will honour a group or person who has significantly contributed to the world of collegiate esports. That could be an esports program that has improved the lives of players drastically, advanced the standards of collegiate esports or otherwise forged a path through to pro for individuals or teams competing. Or it could be an organisation or individual who has added something new to the collegiate esports scene, increased it’s exposure in the world or otherwise had a profound impact on improving the collegiate esports experience for athletes and fans.

Criteria 1:
A program, group or individual that has been involved with collegiate esports in the past year.

Criteria 2:
Has had a significant impact on the collegiate esports scene, be it through strong performance, new initiatives or improving standards.

Criteria 3:
Is pushing forward the growing collegiate or grassroots scene in new ways.

Industry

Esports Hardware Provider of the Year

Description:
The Esports Hardware Provider of the Year honours a company that has produced some of the most widely used and impressive hardware and peripherals in the world of esports over the past month. From accessories to components and everything in between, hardware is a key part of the esports world, and with ever advancing technology pros are always looking for the best they can get. With genuine innovation giving some pros a competitive edge having top level hardware available is always required.

Criteria 1:
Has produced and distributed hardware for PC, console or mobile over the past year.

Criteria 2:
Hardware is used successfully within esports by players or broadcasters.

Criteria 3:
A high quality product that has improved the lives and gameplay of its users.

Esports Publisher of the Year

Description:

The Esports Publisher of the Year honours a publisher that has supported the esports world over the past 12 months, be it through releasing a new esports title, developing a pro scene or supporting the competitive community. Their work and willingness to support esports has resulted in people being able to earn a living from their game, and without them the scene would be in a significantly worse place. The publisher will be helping to future proof esports as an industry and cement its legacy as a top tier game producer.

Criteria 1:
A game publisher that has supported the esports scene of their titles over the past 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Published a game, or games, that have become major esports over their lives and have long term potential as competitive titles.

Criteria 3:
Published titles that continually receive critical acclaim, are adopted as a title globally and demonstrate a mass active player base.

Esports Journalist of the Year

Description:
The Esports Journalist of the Year honours a writer who has covered esports in the past 12 months in either a full time or freelance role for an online or print media outlet. Their work will have both informed and entertained readers, be it in the form of news, interviews, features, analysis or other forms of journalism. They tell the stories of esports in ways that others cannot, with creative flair and high standards.

Criteria 1:
Has written high quality and impactful original content about esports in the past year.

Criteria 2:
Has written critically acclaimed articles that reached a significant audience.

Criteria 3:
Displayed unparalleled knowledge of the esports world and conveyed that knowledge in an understandable format for all readers.

Esports Game of the Year

Description:

The Esports Game of the Year honours a game that has achieved significant milestones in the esports world over the past year, regardless of its release date. Over the past 12 months the game has reached a significant audience, had a well developed and stable competitive scene at all levels and vastly improved its standing in the esports space. Only the very best games have a shot at becoming an esport, and it takes constant development support to sustain that while keeping fans constantly entertained.

Criteria 1:
A game on any platform that has a large and stable esports scene.

Criteria 2:
The game’s competitive scene has had an impressive year with big events and high quality entertainment.

Criteria 3:
A game with a large player base and critical acclaim.

Esports Commercial Partner of the Year

Description:
The Esports Commercial Partner of the Year honours a company that has sponsored or otherwise commercially backed an area of the esports world during the past 12 months. This could be through team, event or athlete sponsorship, prize pool support, charitable donations within esports or other commercial backing. However, this isn’t just about the money, the best commercial partners work to build the reputation of esports worldwide, create top level content and build creative marketing materials that benefit all parties.

Criteria 1:
Any firm that has sponsored or otherwise commercially backed an area of the esports industry in the past year.

Criteria 2:
Has provided significant financial support to the esports world.

Criteria 3:
Has provided more than just funds, such as industry promotion, creative marketing and mainstream interest.

Esports Coverage Website of the Year

Description:
The Esports Coverage Website of the Year honours an online media outlet that creates content around esports, or regularly features original esports content within a wider overall remit. The outlet will constantly produce high quality content around esports, including but not limited to written articles, video content, podcasts and other forms of media. The overall esports output of the outlet will be unparalleled in the space, providing entertaining content that is of the highest quality throughout the past year.

Criteria 1:
An online media outlet that regularly creates content around esports.

Criteria 2:
Consistently produces high quality entertaining content that both informs and entertains fans.

Criteria 3:
Has produced editorial content that has had an impact on the wider esports industry.

Esports Supporting Agency of the Year

Description:
The Esports Supporting Agency of the Year honours a company that provides support to an esports entity such as teams, players, tournament organisers or publishers, or has facilitated improved performance in any area of the industry. The agency will make life easier for those who they provide a service to, and provide top quality services across the year. From talent care to rehabilitation, legal advice, travel, marketing and PR and countless other areas, external agencies provide vital support to many areas of the esports industry.

Criteria 1:
Any company that has provided support, services or facilitated improved performance for another individual or organisation within the esports industry in the previous year.

Criteria 2:
Provided a popular and worthwhile service that has improved the quality of their specialist area in the world of esports.

Criteria 3:
Has received critical acclaim and positive reviews from those who have used the service.

Panel’s Choice Award

Description:

The Panel’s Choice Award is a stand alone and unique award that sees the judging panel independently select an individual who has had a significant impact on the esports industry in the previous year. The individual will have shown dedication and passion to improving the esports industry and strived to better the scene. Any person within the esports industry is eligible to be chosen, but they will have been a constant figure within the esports scene and community and have contributed positively to the growth of the industry in some way.

Criteria 1:
Any individual who has been a part of the esports industry.

Criteria 2:
Someone who has contributed to the overall growth of the esports industry in some way.

Criteria 3:
Someone who has made the esports industry a better place over the past year.

Lifetime Achievement in Esports

Description:

The Lifetime Achievement in Esports award honours a stalwart of the esports industry who, over the course of their entire career, have pushed the industry forward. The individual will have made a significant contribution towards elevating esports as a whole to a mainstream commercial audience, while also making it a better place for those working within the industry. Their professional life will have been dedicated to the esports industry and they will have been instrumental in the success that the industry currently enjoys. Without them the esports industry would be a significantly worse place. The individuals have paved the way for future generations to move the industry forward.

Criteria 1:
Any individual who has made a significant contribution towards elevating esports over the course of their professional career.

Criteria 2:
Someone who has worked within the esports industry for a significant amount of time and consistently supported its growth.

Criteria 3:
Someone who has achieved a high level of popularity thanks to their work and has been a long time evangelist for the industry.

 

Creative

Esports Content Team of the Year

Description:

The Esports Content Team of the Year honours a team focused on outputting best in class and standout content in the world of esports. The content can take any form, from video and the likes of docuseries, behind the scenes and visuals effects to written biographies and blogs as well as social media campaigns. The team will have found a large audience and entertained, educated or informed many. The team as a whole will have produced multiple high quality pieces of content throughout the year with original ideas and professional execution. The content team will help to create a strong sense of identity and enhance the perception of the brands they represent.

Criteria 1:
A group that has created multiple pieces of content based around esports in the past year.

Criteria 2:
Has produced content that has proven popular with esports fans and told interesting stories.

Criteria 3:
Used unique ideas and execution to present something new to the esports world.

Esports Cosplay of the Year

Description:
The Esports Cosplay of the Year honours a cosplayer who has created some truly breathtaking cosplay and presented it to the community in the form of video or streams, or a cosplay competition during the previous 12 months. The quality of the work will be unmatched by peers, with unbelievable attention to detail, almost exact likeness to the character they portray and a spark of originality in their work. When they are in full cosplay it will be nearly impossible to tell the difference between the character and the cosplayer.

Criteria 1:
Anyone who has created an esports related cosplay costume and displayed it to the community in a competition, stream or video during the previous year.

Criteria 2:
Created a costume that perfectly matches the look of their chosen character.

Criteria 3:
Created a costume that is of high quality, shows crafting skill and some originality.

Esports Photographer of the Year

Description:
The Esports Photographer of the Year honours a photographer who has covered the esports industry over the past year, be it for an esports organisation, tournament organiser, media outlet or as a freelancer. Their work will have become iconic within esports, capturing some of the most memorable moments from the year with their lens. Their images will have reached a large audience, be of a high technical quality and show a creative flair that sets them apart from others in the field.

Criteria 1:
Any photographer who has covered the international esports industry in the past 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Has captured the biggest moments in esports with high quality and iconic photos.

Criteria 3:
Shown creative flair and originality to bring top level images to fans on par with any industry.

Esports Videographer of the Year

Description:
The Esports Videographer of the Year honours the people behind the camera and scenes who cover the world of esports for a media outlet, esports organisation, tournament organiser or as a freelancer in the last 12 months. Their work will bring the world of esports to life on the screen, showing fans the action or behind the scenes experiences as they watch from home. Their work will have reached a large audience, shown impressive technical skill and creative flair, but most importantly kept audiences entertained and engaged as they watch.

Criteria 1:
Any video content creator who has covered the esports industry during the past 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Created high quality content that has reached a large audience.

Criteria 3:
Shown technical skill, creative ideas and flair within their work.

Esports Content Series of the Year

Description:

Esports Content Series of the Year honours a series that significantly raised the bar for esports content over the past year. From behind the scenes documentaries, to in depth analytical dissections of in game action, the esports world has seen it’s fair share of incredible content, but this award is for the very best of the last year. It could be a technical masterclass, a gripping tale that keeps fans hooked or something we have never seen before, but one thing is for sure, it will be remembered for years and have you glued to your seat as you experience it. The Content can be in the form of video, visual, audio, podcast or more – ultimately celebrating content in any form

Criteria 1:
A series of content from the previous 12 months that primarily focuses on the world of esports.

Criteria 2:
The content will have reached a significant audience during the past year and kept them engaged.

Criteria 3:
Pushes the bar in terms of quality, expectations and storytelling.

PRO

Esports Console Player of the Year

Description:

The Esports Console Player of the Year honours a competitor who has primarily competed on console over the previous 12 months at the highest level. The award is judged on merit of both honours won throughout the year and skill cap of the individual. They could be a world champion in their chosen game, one of the highest skilled players on console or have pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible with a gamepad in hand. Their performances across the year will have impressed and, while winning isn’t a requirement, they will have a few trophies on their shelf. They may have defined a meta, built a massive fan base through their play or simply just been too good for the opposition.

Criteria 1:
A player who has primarily competed on console over the past 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Has achieved success in their chosen game, be that through tournament wins, popularity or critical acclaim.

Criteria 3:
Has done something truly outstanding in the console scene.

Esports Console Rookie of the Year

Description:
The Esports Console Rookie of the Year honours a professional player, either employed full time, part time or as a freelancer, who has primarily competed on console and has taken part in major tournaments for the first time over the past year. After improving their skills to get to the very top level this player will have finally made it into the professional scene over the previous 12 months and have impressed with their play at the very highest levels. Their skill will be undeniable and their name will be associated with those at the top. Tournament wins are not a requirement, but showing incredible skill and composure on the big stage while competing against tenured veterans will come naturally to them.

Criteria 1:
Has competed as a professional player on console at major events for the first time in the previous 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Has shown incredible skill and composure while competing at the highest level.

Criteria 3:
Has achieved competitive success and critical acclaim for their in game skill.

Esports Team of the Year

Description:

The Esports Team of the Year honours a team that has had an incredible year in terms of results, popularity and skill level. Throughout the previous 12 months they have been the team to beat within their selected game, and been the best in their game beyond reasonable doubt. Their skill and results will have raised the profile of esports around the world, and raised the standards of competition within their game of choice. Their results from the year will have been some of the best ever seen, and unlikely to be matched again any time soon.

Criteria 1:
Any team that has competed in any esport over the previous 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Has been at the very top of the competitive scene for the previous 12 months and been the team to beat.

Criteria 3:
Shown an extraordinarily high level of play throughout the year and used their in game success to widen their reach.

Esports Mobile Player of the Year

Description:

The Esports Mobile Player of the Year award recognises a competitor who competed in mobile titles over the past year at the top level. The award is judged on merit of both honours won throughout the year and skill cap of the individual. They could be a world champion in their chosen game, or one of the most consistent players in the world. Their performances across the year will have impressed and, while winning isn’t a requirement, they will have a few trophies on their shelf. They may have defined a meta, built a massive fan base through their play or simply just been too good for the opposition.

Criteria 1:
A player who has primarily competed in mobile titles over the past 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Has achieved success in their chosen game, be that through tournament wins, popularity or critical acclaim.

Criteria 3:
Has done something truly outstanding in the mobile scene.

Esports PC Player of the Year

Description:
The Esports PC Player of the Year honours a competitor who has primarily competed on PC over the previous 12 months at the highest level. The award is judged on merit of both honours won throughout the year and skill cap of the individual. They could be a world champion in their chosen game, one of the highest skilled players on PC or shown unbelievable tactical skill within their game. Their performances across the year will have impressed and, while winning isn’t a requirement, they will have a few trophies on their shelf. They may have defined a meta, built a massive fan base through their play or simply just been too good for the opposition.

Criteria 1:
A player who has primarily competed on PC over the past 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Has achieved success in their chosen game, be that through tournament wins, popularity or critical acclaim.

Criteria 3:
Has done something truly outstanding in the PC scene.

Esports Organisation of the Year

Description:
The Esports Organisation of the Year honours an esports organisation that fields teams or players in multiple titles and has seen significant success in multiple titles over the previous 12 months. Having success within one title is not easy, but doing it across multiple is something only the very best organisations in the world can achieve. While they may not have won multiple world championships they will have had multiple teams perform at the very highest level over the past year and added more than a few trophies to the organization’s cabinet. Brand recognition and fan engagement also factor in to being the best organisation in esports.

Criteria 1:
Any international professional esports organisation competing across multiple esports titles.

Criteria 2:
Has had multiple teams achieve significant success in their chosen games over the past year.

Criteria 3:
Continually engaged a fanbase via in-game performance, supporting content and marketing/promotional materials.

Esports Coach of the Year

Description:

The Esports Coach of the Year honours a member of staff for a professional esports organisation or team in a coaching capacity who has been active in the role over the past year. Their work with their team will have had a significant impact on results and overall quality of the team and improved the working lives of their players. Their specialty might lie in excellent pre-game preparation, rousing mid series pep talks to inspire confidence or offering valuable insights to what the team is doing. Regardless of their style or chosen game, without them their team would be significantly worse off.

Criteria 1:
Any full-time member of staff for a professional esports organisation or team in a coaching capacity who has been active in the role over the past year

Criteria 2:
Has provided valuable insights and strategy to their team in order to improve performance.

Criteria 3:
Has helped their team achieve significant results in large competitions over the past year.

Esports PC Rookie of the Year

Description:
The Esports PC Rookie of the Year honours a professional player, either employed full time, part time or as a freelancer, who has primarily competed on PC and has taken part in major tournaments for the first time over the past year. After improving their skills to get to the very top level this player will have finally made it into the professional scene over the previous 12 months and have impressed with their play at the very highest levels. Their skill will be undeniable and their name will be associated with those at the top. Tournament wins are not a requirement, but showing incredible skill and composure on the big stage while competing against tenured veterans will come naturally to them.

Criteria 1:
Has competed as a professional player on PC at major events for the first time in the previous 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Has shown incredible skill and composure while competing at the highest level.

Criteria 3:
Has achieved competitive success and critical acclaim for their in game skill.

Esports Host of the Year

Description:

The Esports Host of the Year honours the finest talent in the world of hosting, be it on a desk, stage or elsewhere. A good host ties the broadcast together, seamlessly moving from one segment to another, while keeping the analysis flowing and interesting and fans engaged, not to forget the invaluable segue. With production crews in their ears, fan reactions to evoke and the weight of the entire broadcast on their shoulders it’s no easy task, but these hosts make it look easy.

Criteria 1:
Someone who has hosted one or more esports events on screen in the past year and provided a high level of broadcast.

Criteria 2:
Creates an environment that is both exciting for fans to watch but keeps the broadcast flowing naturally.

Criteria 3:
Has brought in new ideas to the world of hosting.

Esports Caster of the Year (Play by Play)

Description:
The Esports Caster of the Year for play by play commentators honours the caster who has provided some of the best calls over the past year in any esports title. Whether they have called moments that have been immortalised forever with their words, or have had a consistent year of high quality broadcasting this person will be at the very top of the game. Specialising in calling the action as it goes down and keeping viewers up to speed with the craziness that is going on is the play by play caster’s goal, but some take it to new levels with very original calls.

Criteria 1:
Someone who has acted as a play by play caster in esports during the last 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Provided iconic calls over big plays throughout the year.

Criteria 3:
Casted at the top level of the industry and contributed to the biggest matches in esports.

Esports Caster of the Year (Colour)

Description:

The Esports Caster of the Year for colour casters honours the colour caster who has provided some of the most memorable analysis and calls in games over the past 12 months. The caster will have a knack for storytelling intertwined with statistics and analysis that add depth and meaning to the events happening ingame. While play by play casters mostly provide the hype it’s the colour casters who explain the theory behind plays and the analysis of how and why things happen. Their strength may lie in detailed analysis, on point predictions or even comic relief, but without them broadcasts would be significantly less entertaining.

Criteria 1:
Someone who has acted as a colour caster in esports during the last 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Provided insightful analysis to educate and entertain viewers

Criteria 3:
Casted some of the biggest matches in esports to a high standard.

Esports Analyst of the Year

Description:
Esports Analyst of the Year honours on or off screen analysts that break down the action and preview the upcoming games along with the event host. While some are masters of analysing the key moments, others have put in the research to look forward at what will happen and why as well as the stats to back it up. They may specialize in crafting the storylines heading into the upcoming games, but all analysts provide insightful commentary on the tournament that enhances the viewing experience.

Criteria 1:
Someone who has been an on screen analyst in esports during the past 12 months.

Criteria 2:
Provided insightful analysis and gripping storytelling at esports events to keep viewers entertained between matches.

Criteria 3:
Worked on some of the most prestigious tournaments in esports to a high standard.