Doublelift Explains His Vote for LCS Walkout in YouTube Video
Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng, a player for 100 Thieves, released a YouTube video on June 3 to discuss the events surrounding the LCS walkout. He addressed why he chose to vote for the walkout, even though he disagreed with many of the LCSPA’s requests.
According to Doublelift, Riot Games mishandled the tier two league by abruptly removing the requirement for LCS teams to have an academy lineup. He criticized the lack of warning given to players, stating that their lives were disrupted with no notice. He believes players deserved advanced notice of the changes.
Doublelift expressed disappointment in the LCSPA’s demands, considering them to be either unreasonable or not the right approach. He agreed that a VALORANT-style relegation and promotion system could benefit tier two teams, but he was concerned that it would dilute the competitiveness of the LCS with the addition of more teams.
The veteran player suggested that instead of adding two additional spots to the LCS, they should consider cutting two teams and reducing the number of spots. He believes there are currently too many spots and not enough competitive teams in the league.
When addressing the LCSPA’s request for a minimum revenue pool of $300,000 for each NACL team to pay players’ salaries, Doublelift suggested that while there should be a reasonable floor, $60,000 per player is too high. He suggested reintroducing tournament prize pools for tier two teams as an incentive for players.
Doublelift also raised concerns about high salaries in the LCSPA, fearing that they would discourage players from pursuing promotions. He believes that if a player performs poorly on a low-ranking LCS team, their value would decrease and they would be at a higher risk of losing their job. He suggested that players would prefer the guaranteed opportunity in the NACL instead.
Regarding the LCSPA’s request for a continuity rule that prioritizes players on a released NACL roster, Doublelift expressed neutrality. He acknowledged that there are both upsides and downsides to this proposal.
Doublelift expressed surprise that all 50 players in the LCS participated in the voting meeting. He clarified that the bullet points discussed in the video were not part of the voting process.
Ultimately, Doublelift emphasized the importance of Riot Games supporting the tier two scene rather than eliminating it. He criticized Riot for making changes without notice or discussion, leading to job losses. He believes that players should take a stand against such actions.
However, Doublelift stated that if he had to choose between standing by the Academy and canceling the LCS Summer Split, he would prioritize playing. He expressed hope for a new tier two system that allows teams like Disguised Toast’s to compete in the Academy.
As Riot Games and the LCSPA engage in discussions about the future of the NACL, the LCS Summer Split is currently on a two-week break and will resume on June 15.
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