This year, there will be several exciting updates that will impact players in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In the upcoming Esports World Cup (EWC) event in Riyadh, teams from League of Legends (LoL) Esports and players from Teamfight Tactics (TFT) Esports will be allowed to participate. Additionally, Arabic localization will be introduced to League of Legends, and new servers will be launched in the Middle East in 2024.
Participating in the EWC:
The EWC is not an official LoL Esports event, meaning that Riot will not be involved in its production, nor will they select the teams that compete. However, the inclusion of League of Legends and TFT in an international esports event in Saudi Arabia might raise some questions. Riot’s goal is to make deliberate choices that result in a better experience for players worldwide.
The decision to make room in the LoL Esports competitive calendar for the EWC has come after careful consideration of their duty to explore marketing and commercial opportunities for esports teams and players, as well as the impact this event can have on players in MENA. There are a few reasons why Riot chose to participate:
A Meaningful Esports Experience For Fans:
The Esports World Cup brings together TFT and League of Legends with over 20 other major games in the industry. This cross-game, cross-genre event creates a unique gaming experience for players worldwide. Riot has received feedback from players and Rioters in MENA about how significant it is to have the opportunity to see their favorite teams compete live at a major tournament in their region. Riot believes that supporting these types of experiences is crucial to fulfilling their mission of making it better to be a player.
An Opportunity for Pro Teams and Players:
Recognizing the economic challenges faced by many esports organizations and players, Riot did not want to deny them the chance to participate in a major economic and brand-building opportunity. The EWC offers not only the opportunity to compete on an international stage but also the chance to earn a piece of a meaningful prize pool, which helps enhance financial stability. Riot sees international third-party events playing a bigger role in the future of esports competition, and this event aligns with their strategy of allowing for additional high-impact tournaments on the esports calendar.
Making it Better to be a Player in MENA:
Riot and League of Legends have always aimed to provide the best game experience for players around the world. To achieve this, they have established global offices, including one in Dubai since 2018, focusing on publishing efforts specific to their region. However, they have not delivered the ideal player experience in MENA for League of Legends. In 2019, Riot made a promise to localize League of Legends in Arabic for players in MENA, and they are finally ready to turn this long-standing promise into reality this summer. In addition to the Arabic localization, Riot is also preparing to launch local servers based in the Middle East, significantly reducing ping for players in the region.
Riot would like to express their gratitude to all the players in MENA who have patiently waited for a better, more localized League of Legends experience. They understand and respect that not everyone will choose to watch the Esports World Cup, but they believe that their participation in the event is the right decision due to the potential impact it can have on esports teams, pro players, and players across MENA.
Source: riotgames.com / Nico News