LoL Esports: The Aftermath of the World Championship
Exactly one month has passed since the epic conclusion of the LoL World Championship, the biggest event in the esports calendar. Samsung White emerged as the champions, winning the title in their home country of Korea, amidst a crowd of 40,000 in the Seoul World Cup stadium. Though their opponents, Starhorn Royal Club, were not expected to win due to Samsung White’s dominance throughout the tournament, there was still intrigue surrounding the match as SHRC was comprised of two Korean players who had moved to another region to compete. Unfazed by their loss, Korean players watched with envy as their compatriots showcased their skills on the world stage, but there were whispers within Korea that top players would soon be joining Chinese organizations.
Despite the victorious outcome for Samsung White, tensions were high among KeSPA organizations, including Samsung. The players demanded larger salaries during the tournament, feeling that they deserved more for their achievements. However, no agreement could be reached, and a month later, Inven reported that all 10 Samsung players, along with their substitutes, had left the organization to join other teams. KaKAO and Rookie from KT Rolster A also announced their departure from Korea. This news sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving organizations scrambling to fill the void left by these star players.
Chinese teams were able to lure Korean players with higher salaries and better working conditions, unlike in Korea where players were often underpaid due to their age and inexperience. Before recent changes, there were no minimum salaries for players, and organizations had complete control over the terms of the contracts. This allowed teams to easily swap out underperforming players and keep salaries low. The exodus of Korean players to China has highlighted the need for improved conditions in Korea to retain talent.
The Rise of Chinese Esports
China’s growing esports scene offers a promising future for pro players in Korea. With a population of over 1.3 billion, China has a vast pool of talent and increasingly more big sponsors entering the scene. However, the success of Korean players in China is not guaranteed, as there have been more failures than success stories. Many Korean players who moved to China have struggled to adapt to the new environment and faced language barriers. The turnover rate for Chinese teams is also high, making it a challenging environment for Korean players to thrive in.
Despite the challenges, Korean players are in high demand due to their superior skills and star power. Streaming websites have capitalized on this, with Samsung players easily garnering hundreds of thousands of viewers. Given the opportunity to capitalize on their fame and retire with a substantial amount of money, there are few reasons for Korean players to stay in Korea, even with the improved conditions for pro players in the 2015 season.
SKT T1 and the Future of Korean Esports
There is one exception to the mass exodus of Korean players: Faker. As the best player in the history of the game, Faker is already marketed heavily in Korea, earning competitive salaries from his organization SKT T1 and appearing in commercials. SKT T1’s existing policies have allowed them to retain their players, unlike Samsung, which had to completely revamp their roster. The new one-team rule in Champions poses a challenge for KeSPA teams amidst the mass migration of Koreans. Will new talent rise to the top, or will China surpass Korea as the top region? The prospects of a new Korean LCS-style league and more Korean players featuring on Chinese teams are tantalizing for esports fans, and it’s clear that S4 Worlds was just a preview of the seismic changes to come in Korean esports.
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