The Game Awards 2025: Are Esports Legends T1 Being Left Behind?

Gaming writer

Publish Date: November 28, 2025

As The Game Awards 2025 approaches, one question quietly hangs over the esports portion of the show. After another polished championship run, should T1 and Faker be expected to headline this year’s esports honors? On paper, their case is as strong as ever. T1 delivered another controlled, no-nonsense Worlds victory, the kind of performance that shows the gap between them and the rest of the field has not narrowed.

Yet heading into this cycle, the conversation feels different. Despite the weight of their legacy and the quality of their latest run, there is a noticeable shift in how award bodies approach teams and players with long-term dominance. At some point, success becomes so consistent that it starts to blend into the background. T1’s latest win was clinical, efficient, and devoid of chaos. It was a masterclass in fundamentals, but not the kind of storyline that award panels usually gravitate toward.

Credits: TGA

The Game Awards Faces a Different Balancing Act

It is also important to understand the context of The Game Awards. This show is not built like the specialized esports-focused ceremonies. TGA’s mission is broader. It aims to celebrate the full spectrum of gaming, with esports serving as one component rather than the core pillar. That alone makes the selection process more complicated.

Credits: Riot Games

Diversity of recognition matters here. New talent, rising regions, fresh narratives, and emerging stars all compete for visibility. The industry is expanding quickly, and The Game Awards often leans into showcasing that growth. Legends like Faker have already been acknowledged on this stage, winning Esports Athlete of the Year twice in a row. His legacy is not up for debate. The question is simply whether the show should widen its spotlight this year.

And looking at the nominee pool, the case for a broader lineup is reasonable. Titles like VALORANT, CS2, and Mobile Legends have produced standout individual performances throughout the season. Several players across these games carried massive competitive moments that defined their respective ecosystems. Recognizing them does not diminish the stature of T1. It strengthens the global landscape by showing that excellence exists far beyond a single dynasty.

Here are this year’s The Game Awards esports nominees:

The Recent Esports Awards

Last November 20, the Esports Awards wrapped up with a noticeably broader spread of winners. If you look at the results, T1 and Faker were not part of the major award recipients either. Instead, the lineup was filled with new names and rising competitive figures from various titles.

This reflects a clear shift in how award bodies are approaching recognition. Rather than leaning on established legends, there is a stronger push to highlight emerging talent and newer storylines across the industry. It is not a matter of overlooking icons, but of showing that competitive excellence is coming from more corners of esports than ever before.

A Wider Spotlight, Not a Snub

So, is T1 being left behind as The Game Awards approaches? It does not look that way. What we are seeing is a deliberate effort to broaden the stage and highlight the variety of high-level competition happening across multiple titles. T1’s legacy, and Faker’s influence in particular, remain untouched.

Awards evolve as the industry evolves. This year, the focus seems to be on widening the lens rather than circling back to the names that have already defined a decade of esports history.