Between the amazing matches and high-action moments in esports, it’s easy to lose sight of the people behind those plays – and the ongoing interactions between players and teams. Along the way, some conflicts between esports pros made history – their rivalries taking years to unfold.
Call of Duty – FaZe vs OpTic
This rivalry spans across games – and it started with YouTube videos of Call of Duty. When both teams joined competitive gaming and thus started competing against each other, fans often got excited – and with both teams at the top of their respective scenes, the FaZe vs OpTic rivalry was no small deal.
These two esports rivals really kept going strong over the years, even meeting in matches in games other than Call of Duty, though that is where it all began.
Here's how FaZe's Dillon "Attach" Price talks of the rivalry with a lot of fondness and remembrance of a good time:
Super Smash Bros. Melee – Armada vs Mang0
The single-player Smash Bros Melee game is the perfect setting for two esports rivals to compete – and as such, it played host to one of the biggest rivalries a Nintendo game has ever seen – Adam "Armada" Lindgren vs Joseph Manuel "Mang0" Marquez.
The rivalry between the two kicked off in 2009 and it lasted all the way until Armada retired in 2018.
He ended his career on a high note – by knocking Mango out in the losers final of Evo 2018. A fitting end to a decade-long rivalry!
StarCraft: Broodwar – Flash vs Jaedong
One of the biggest rivalries in esports history began in 2007 when Lee “Jaedong” Jae Dong and Lee “Flash” Young Ho met each other in the Korean StarCraft scene.
Jaedong readily beat just about everyone – with the exception of Flash, who regularly beat him. The two would meet several times a month, and neither could ever decisively beat the other – it was always too close to call.
Every match between the two was highly anticipated by fans since nobody could really predict which way it would go – one of the best rivalries esports have witnessed!
Did you enjoy your trip into the esports scene and its biggest rivalries, or are you missing one? Tell us what you think on Facebook or Twitter!
