Right before the main event of the year in the world of esports - the grand final of Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, the organizers offered viewers an unusual show match format that instantly attracted the community's attention. Surprise cards, changing game conditions, and unexpected twists made this game a bright and memorable event.

This match not only added fun and creativity to the serious competitive format but also provided an opportunity to see how professional players cope with non-standard conditions. It was a great way to combine esports and entertainment to inspire both players and spectators.

Unexpected Mechanics

The idea of the show match was to disrupt the usual game scenarios. Each player was given special cards that allowed them to hinder their opponents by introducing unexpected constraints. But that wasn't all: each new round added a unique condition affecting all participants. One of the most striking examples was the teleportation effect when blinded by a flashbang.

The team composition made this match particularly interesting. One team included the Chinese Formula 1 driver Zhou Guanyu, who gathered the best local players around him. The other team featured the legendary Ukrainian esports player s1mple, which heightened fan interest and added intrigue.

Who Won and How

The show match was a highlight of the tournament and ended with a score of 15-9 in favor of Team BYE, with Zhou Guanyu. The opposing Team HAI, despite s1mple, could not cope with the creativity of the opponents and the unexpected gaming mechanics.

Below is a clip where a card was played on s1mple that required him to sing and play; during this time, he managed to achieve -4:

The show match at Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 demonstrated that esports can be not only highly competitive but also incredibly fun and inventive. Formats like these give players the opportunity to showcase their abilities in new conditions, and viewers to receive a boost of emotions and inspiration. It's a step forward in the development of the industry, which continues to seek new ways to engage with the audience.