Harry "NER0" Richards, esteemed member of the Top 20 jury and an HLTV writer, recently discussed the deliberations behind the decision to rank Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov above Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut in the prestigious 2024 leaderboard. Delving into the nuances of their selection process, Richards highlighted that while ZywOo boasted a higher basic rating of 1.35 compared to m0NESY's 1.27, it was the latter's standout performances in crucial arena battles that ultimately tipped the scales.
NER0 emphasized the significance of m0NESY's prowess in high-stakes encounters, contrasting it with ZywOo's exceptional stats primarily derived from studio LAN events, where the Frenchman maintained an impressive average of 1.47 across tournaments. This distinction offered a fresh perspective on the traditional metrics used to evaluate players' performances, sparking debates and divisive opinions within the esports community.
The divergence between the statistical data and the perceived impact of in-game performances led to widespread anticipation for ZywOo to secure the coveted second position. However, the final verdict unveiling m0NESY as the runner-up left many followers disconcerted and vocal about their disappointment across various social media platforms.
Furthermore, Harry "NER0" Richards shared glimpses of the repercussions of their decision-making process, shedding light on the darker side of esports fandom. Exposing a series of derogatory messages and threats received via private channels, Richards showcased the intense emotional investment and reactions that accompany the annual rankings in the esports sphere.
Shifting focus to the winner of the Top 20 rankings, Danil "donk" Kryshkovets emerged as a breakout talent, securing not only the top spot but also a plethora of accolades. The 17-year-old prodigy's standout performance at the prestigious Shanghai Major 2024 stood as a defining moment, solidifying his claim to the crown. The editorial team highlighted Kryshkovets' exceptional contributions and his crowning achievement of the MVP title as decisive factors that cemented his position at the helm of the esports landscape.