The 2024 IMC First Season Ignites with Passion: An Esports Feast, Forging Glorious Achievements with Blood and Guts!
As passionate as the scorching summer, the Intel Master Challenge (IMC) esports feast is in full swing. Since its inception, the IMC has been held for eight consecutive years, standing as one of the most important grassroots esports tournaments in the industry. As a top-tier global esports stage, the IMC has captured the attention of countless tech elites and esports enthusiasts. After months of intense competition, the first season of 2024 IMC saw titans clash, pouring their esports passion into every match, writing another glorious chapter in the annals of esports.
In May this year, the first season of 2024 IMC officially kicked off, with top teams from across the country rapidly assembling to face off in matches spanning two months, delivering thrilling encounters. On July 13th and 14th, the season reached its peak showdown, with four teams competing online in the League of Legends finals, while two CS2 squads faced each other on the stage at the 2024 Shanghai BW Gaming World for the CS2 offline final. Special guests, popular CS2 streamers DAKING and Chef Chen, were also present, bringing the most exhilarating “life or death” battles of the season to the audience.
Remaining true to its original ideals of equality and inclusiveness, with “universal participation” and “professionalism” as its core tenets, the IMC has become the starting point for many amateur players’ professional esports careers, continuously reaching out to a growing number of esports enthusiasts over the years. As the opening season of the eighth tournament, this event attracted enthusiastic participation from esports fans nationwide. The number of registered teams surpassed 3,600, covering more than 150 cities across the country, with over 900 participating internet cafes and chains providing event support. This not only showcased the enormous potential of the esports industry but also the passion of esports enthusiasts, symbolizing the deepening of the IMC’s universalization.
Looking back at this season, the combination of elite teams and a fast-paced format made the competition ruthless, with every match filled with tension and excitement. Thrilling moments and classic battles in both the League of Legends and CS2 divisions had esports fans cheering. Especially during the finals, several top teams, through outstanding tactical layouts and precise skills, delivered unprecedented visual feasts to the audience. In the League of Legends final on July 13th, a team from Jiangsu seized the opportunity to make a comeback against the odds, becoming a classic battle that esports enthusiasts relished. In the following day’s CS2 final, two teams from Chongqing and Hebei demonstrated professional-level awareness and gunplay, with Chongqing’s Dolphin eSports CYYKS team ultimately clinching victory with a 2-0 win, claiming the championship of the first season.
As an audience member of the Intel Master Challenge, not only can you witness the competitive levels and exciting battles of technical elites, but you can also participate deeply in the event through engaging activities such as online Q&A sessions and lucky draws, enjoying a diverse viewing experience. Meanwhile, the event organizers interacted with fans in real-time through social media platforms. These interactive activities not only enriched the content of the event but also bridged the enthusiasm of viewers and fans between online and offline spaces. The Intel Master Challenge became a shared festival of joy for players, audiences, and fans alike, broadening the significance and depth of the IMC’s universalization.
The first season laid a solid foundation for 2024 IMC, making the upcoming second season even more eagerly anticipated by the public. The organizers revealed that the second season will continue the “passionate mode” of the first season, with a tight schedule, presenting greater challenges and pressures for all participating teams. Moreover, any team that tops the standings within a single season will secure a spot in the grand finals, gaining the opportunity to advance into the professional esports circle.
The IMC is the most talked-about esports competition among domestic audiences, which is inseparable from the strong support of all media, sponsors, and partners.
As the title sponsor of this IMC, AGON provided players with the ultimate gaming experience on the IMC season stage, offering high-quality display equipment to make the game visuals more captivating. With the slogan “Born to Battle, Only for Gamers,” AGON brought an even fiercer and more spectacular competitive experience to the tournament.
We also extend our gratitude to the strategic partners and core partners of the event:
Darwin, embodying the brand philosophy of “Just Be Yourself,” injected unique personal charm into the tournament, making esports culture more vibrant and colorful.
ASUS, with the fervor of “Ignite Faith, Shine in Esports,” ignited the enthusiasm of the audience on-site, igniting the spark of esports in everyone’s hearts.
Mingxuan Technology, upholding the spirit of “Mingxuan, Compete Without Limits,” provided high-performance hardware support to ensure the smooth running of the competition.
Variety Spirit, as one of the partners of this tournament, believed in “Achieving Your Courage,” challenging limits and breaking through self-restrictions alongside the players.
Shunwang Technology, with the mission of “Technology Connecting Happiness,” provided a stable and smooth network environment for the tournament, allowing every player to fully enjoy the joy brought by esports.
Moreover, we are grateful to TCL’s “Immerse to the Frame, Screen Determines the Game” for bringing an even more intense and spectacular competitive experience to the tournament.
The successful conclusion of the first season of 2024 IMC marks a solid step forward for the IMC in promoting the development of the esports industry. This event not only unearthed and nurtured a batch of excellent esports talents, further enhancing the industry’s profile and influence, but also effectively promoted the coordinated development of related industries, achieving a win-win situation for all parties involved. In the future, the IMC will continue to uphold the event’s ideals of “equality, inclusiveness, and professionalism,” bringing more exciting competitions and better services to esports enthusiasts, enabling more dreams to come true.
Thank you to all participants and supporters of the 2024 IMC; your support and trust are the driving force behind the continued progress of the IMC. At the same time, we hope that everyone continues to pay attention to and support the Intel Master Challenge (IMC). Together, let us bear witness to the prosperous development of the esports industry and jointly create a bright future for the esports industry.
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