Riot Games Announces Changes to League of Legends European Competitive Ecosystem
Riot Games has unveiled significant changes to the European competitive ecosystem of League of Legends, aiming to make esports the future of sports in EMEA.
A Decade of Evolution in EMEA Esports
Naz Aletaha, global head of League of Legends esports, describes the first decade of League esports in the EMEA region as an ongoing “evolution.” Riot has established a strong developmental ecosystem, which now serves as the foundation for the future of its multi-tiered competitive system.
Aiming High in Sports
In the announcement, Aletaha emphasizes the idea of sports, rather than simply esports. She explains that Riot is aiming high and believes that League esports has unique qualities compared to traditional sports.
Connecting with the Community
Aletaha acknowledges that the qualities of esports stem from the close connection between the fans and players. The community consists of fans who are also players, creating a direct link between entertainment and active participation in the game.
The Aging Factor and the Future of the Ecosystem
Aletaha highlights the fact that the League ecosystem is still in its first generation and expresses curiosity about the impact of the second generation. As the children and families of the first generation join the ecosystem, Aletaha wonders how it will evolve and grow.
Riot’s Vision for the Future of League Esports
Riot aims to expand its competitive ecosystem beyond esports to reach a broader audience interested in traditional sports. While the debate about whether esports are sports continues, Aletaha states that Riot has a clear vision and believes that esports can rival and exceed what is seen in traditional sports.
“We aspire to someday meet and even exceed the bar set by traditional sports,” says Aletaha.
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