Controversy Surrounding LCS Walkout: Doublelift’s Stance on Riot’s Changes
In the world of League of Legends, one issue that has been making headlines is the LCS walkout. This collective action by competitive players in North America is a response to Riot Games’ recent changes to the region’s tier-two scene. As a result, the start of the 2023 Summer Split has been delayed by two weeks to allow Riot and the Players Association to negotiate terms that satisfy both parties.
However, the effectiveness of the walkout may be compromised if one of the biggest stars of the LCS does not support it.
In a June 5 stream, LCS icon Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng expressed his thoughts on the situation. He stated that if Riot were to cancel the 2022 Summer Split, he would rather continue playing than participate in the walkout.
This statement unintentionally undermined the players’ stance during ongoing negotiations with Riot. Doublelift, who is not only popular in the region but also in the competitive scene as a whole, faced criticism from the League of Legends community.
Doublelift’s Misunderstanding and Backlash
Many people believe that Doublelift’s comments show a lack of understanding about the purpose of the walkout and its importance in fighting for the rights of the players involved. As a result, the 29-year-old has faced backlash.
It is essential to note that the player walkout aims to use the players’ labor as leverage during negotiations. Without the players on stage, there would be no product for Riot to showcase. Riot would need to find acceptable terms or risk losing a significant revenue-generating league in their esports ecosystem.
By publicly expressing his willingness to play in the 2023 Summer Split instead of standing with his fellow players, Doublelift’s actions have raised concerns about the ongoing negotiations between Riot and the Players’ Association.
Impact on LCS Summer Split and World Championship
The start of the 2023 LCS Summer Split has been rescheduled for Thursday, June 15, giving the Players’ Association and Riot more time to find common ground. If no agreement is reached, there is a possibility of canceling the entire season. This cancellation would result in North America forfeiting its spots at the 2023 World Championship.
Stay tuned for further updates regarding the LCS walkout and its implications for the competitive scene.
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esports, League of Legends, LCS, walkout, Riot Games, competitive players, changes, tier-two scene, negotiation, Doublelift, opinions, cancellation, Summer Split, community, purpose, striking, workers, unsteadiness, conversations, Players’ Association, controversy, North America, World Championship