Big games, big teams and even bigger personalities. On a grander scale, eSports showed no sign of slowing down this year. 2015 saw the prizes get bigger, the egos increase proportionately and the competition become even more heated. From teams to players, commentators and the games themselves, we’re looking and awarding the very best of the electronic sports scene of 2015.
Best eSports Organization: Bravado Gaming
Bravado Gaming is one of South Africa’s oldest MGOs in the business. Over the years they’ve build up a notorious, but well-respected reputation within the South African gaming community. On numerous occasions Bravado Gaming have extended their reach and taken part internationally in games like Counter-Strike, Dota, Quake and Battlefield. In 2015 Bravado trimmed the fat and downsized to three teams – Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Heroes of The Storm. The change was necessary as Bravado were shifting their focus to bigger and better things. This all paid off when Bravado took home first place in all three respective titles at rAge this year.
Best eSports Team: Bravado Gaming Dota 2
Bravado Dota 2, who recently underwent a roster change, have been South Africa’s best Dota 2 for almost a year now. They’ve won every major tournament on LAN, losing only two online tournaments this year alone. In 2014 the team went across to Taipei, Taiwan to take part in the BeatIT Global Finals earning a tied 5th-6th finish against some of the world’s best Dota 2 teams. This past weekend the retained their championship run winning the BHG LAN, retaining their spot as the best team in South Africa.
Best eSports Player: Dimitri “Detrony” Hadjipaschali (CS:GO)
Detrony is one of the longest standing members of Bravado Gaming CS: GO, and co-owner of the organization. Taking over the captain role earlier this year, Detrony lead his team to victory at the Do Gaming Championships in October. On numerous occasions Detrony has been voted the best Counter-Strike player in the country, and this award is testament to his ability as an FPS player.
Best Commentator: Devin “Hellbird” Rigotti
Hellbird is one of South Africa’s more seasoned gamers. Rumoured to be the Ancient we defended in the original Warcraft Mod, Hellbird shifted his competitive Dota focus to casting in 2013. Since then he has risen in the ranks taking up not only Dota, but hosting an extremely successful Mortal Kombat X qualifier, as well as the inaugural Heroes of The Storm tournament at rAge. He’s one of the big bosses at local broadcasting company NavTV and continues to stand as both an entertainer and visionary for the South African shoutcasting community.
Best eSport: Dota 2
This is a no brainer. Dota 2 still boasts South Africa’s largest gaming community, and one of the most popular eSports in the world. With the Dota 2 International reaching a prize pool total of $18 million, it’s no surprise Dota is South Africa’s favourite eSport. It may have slowed down in terms of tournaments over the past year, but the support for this great title still rises above every other.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the Lazygamer eSports Awards. Hopefully next year we can extend the list of nominees and get some nice trophies! Congratulations to Bravado Gaming on scooping three awards, and everyone else who was nominated, there were some really close calls.
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Last Updated: December 14, 2015
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 14, 2015 at 14:07
Doh Doh Dooooohtaaaa
HvR
December 14, 2015 at 14:32
https://media.giphy.com/media/PvKlwYTiKATRe/giphy.gif
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 14, 2015 at 14:08
Oh, and [mssc]
Jan Prins
December 14, 2015 at 14:15
I don’t geddit?
Ottokie
December 14, 2015 at 14:15
Mandatory Staff Support Comment
Jan Prins
December 14, 2015 at 14:19
Oh… I see. Thanks.
HairyEwok
December 14, 2015 at 14:48
Don’t worry i thought it was the maiden name of a ship about to get into the sea… The MSSC Dota2
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 14:21
We actually comment because we want to. Because we like Lagz. ;P
Ottokie
December 14, 2015 at 14:22
I like eSports…sometimes
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 14:23
I definitely support it, though I’ve only watched a limited amount.
Ottokie
December 14, 2015 at 14:25
True it’s like rugby, I came second in our Superbru Lagz group. Yet all I did was watch the Japan game and then go on and on about that for the rest of the season xD
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 14:29
That sounds like something I would also do 😀
DragonSpirit009
December 14, 2015 at 14:29
Some of us comment just to get away from the normal people!
Ottokie
December 14, 2015 at 14:30
HEY, we are normal…
Sort of…
Ok nevermind
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 14, 2015 at 14:35
Mandatory Staff Support Comment
HvR
December 14, 2015 at 14:39
Always thought it stands for Ma se ……
You lost some Vlakte Rep bra.
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 14, 2015 at 14:54
Ma se simple c…?
HvR
December 14, 2015 at 14:57
Ma se stink
Ma se snoek
Your imaginations is your limit.
Spy Master Tokashi
December 14, 2015 at 14:16
Is eSports some of kind african sport competition or what is it ?
Captain JJ 4x
December 14, 2015 at 14:22
As long as they don’t let Zuma read the scores.
Or pick the teams.
Or fund the stadiums.
HvR
December 14, 2015 at 14:27
Nah he to busy to decide which Finance Minster matches his tie.
Frik van der Hewerskink
December 14, 2015 at 14:22
well this is a bit stupid, Rather say best South African esports…
CongoKyle
December 14, 2015 at 18:40
I’d assume it’s pretty self explanatory.
Frik van der Hewerskink
December 15, 2015 at 13:26
Well not really if you read just the heading, then it seems like it is actually quite the opposite.
Pieter Kruger
December 14, 2015 at 14:23
Silent Bob plays for SA..?
HairyEwok
December 14, 2015 at 14:58
Uhhhh eSports isn’t just in SA right?
It would be hard to choose a best eSports team since they excel at one or more games.
Dota2 goes to EG, CS:GO goes to Fnatic and LoL goes to SKT T1.
Bravado is definately not the best in the world, perhaps the best in South Africa but far from being the best in the world.
As Frik said this should have perhaps be named best eSports South Africa Awards rather than just best eSports Awards. Anyway just saying.
CongoKyle
December 14, 2015 at 18:40
It’s local awards 😛
B4d R0b0t
December 21, 2015 at 08:55
@congokyle:disqus oh crap mate, been so busy I missed this, thanks for focusing on the local scene, glad Devin was on the Radar!