League of Legends esports expands to include 10 teams
Esports is booming, with massive prize pools and increasing popularity. While games like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are attracting a lot of attention, League of Legends remains the king of the esports world. Riot Games’ head of esports, Dustin Beck, has played a crucial role in guiding the game to its current success.
At PAX Prime, a video game conference in Seattle, four League of Legends teams will qualify for the World Championships, the culmination of a year’s worth of competition. Beck is overseeing the festivities and has his sights set on making 2015 even bigger.
In a recent announcement, Riot Games revealed that the League Championship Series in Europe and North America will expand to include 10 teams in each conference. The tournament will likely institute a circuit point system to determine the teams that qualify for the World Championships
Improving the regular season
Fans have expressed concerns that the regular season of the League Championship Series is too long and features too many meaningless matches. In response, Beck said that circuit points will make the regular season more exciting. Riot Games is also planning to reduce the number of regular season games and extend the playoffs to build more hype.
Expanding the LCS playoffs
The exact format for the expanded LCS playoffs has not been finalized, but Beck assured fans that playoffs will still be a major part of the competition. The biggest difference will be the timing, as teams will have more time to prepare and strategize.
International tournaments and the circuit point system
Fans have been clamoring for more international tournaments, but Beck explained that the focus will remain on the World Championships. Riot Games is refining their mid-season all-star tournament but plans to keep international play limited to maintain its excitement and hype. However, they are working with third parties to facilitate more competitions between amateur teams.
Riot Games’ vision
In response to questions about Riot Games’ approach to the esports scene, Beck emphasized that their focus lies in creating a sustainable ecosystem similar to traditional sports, driven by sponsors, partners, advertisers, and broadcast rights. The goal is to provide top-quality broadcasts and create a clear path for aspiring players to become professionals.
While Riot Games is investing a significant amount of money into esports, the return on investment is not the company’s primary concern. They prioritize creating an engaging and aspirational sport that drives player engagement and fosters skill development. Beck remains excited about the upcoming playoffs and believes that teams from regions outside of Korea have a chance to close the skill gap and make their mark on the world stage.
In conclusion, the League of Legends esports scene is expanding and evolving to meet the demands of fans and players. With an increased number of teams, a revamped circuit point system, and a focus on high-quality broadcasts, Riot Games is driving the growth of competitive gaming.
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