What was supposed to be a defining week setting up for unparalleled experience of joy and despair for players, organizations, and their fans. Has turned into a complete blunder of gigantic proportions for both the VCT and parent company Riot Games.
What was supposed to be the last chance qualifier for the year end Valorant Champions Tour finals, Champions. Having 8 teams travel across the country to Los Angeles to compete at the LAN event. Those teams being; 100 Thieves, Gen.G, XSET, Rise, FaZe Clan, VERSION1, Luminosity, Cloud9 Blue. Has turned into an unfortunate event that requires many changes. The LCQ started October 12 and was supposed to happen every day with 3 matches each day until the grand finals on October 17. Starting off the very first day of matches with 100 Thieves taking down Gen.G in match one, XSET taking down Luminosity in match two, and finally 100 Thieves taking down XSET to make it to the upper grand finals.
After a the first day of matches in what seemed to be a mostly successful event information came to light that showed how the event was doomed for failure. At a traditional LAN (local area network) event there is a specific server set up to make sure all the computers used in game are on the same latency as to not provide any player with an advantage. But for some unfortunate reason those in charge of this event had not set up a LAN server, instead the players played on a live internet server that resulted in differences for the players connections.
While this was not the only issue, there were also numerous technical pauses during matches because of player’s computers having issues. Along with the event coverage having many issues losing connection in the game and not providing seamless content. While these are all huge issues for any events, the biggest issue came from what the entire world is experiencing right now, the COVID-19 pandemic.
All players were required to be tested 2 times before the event regardless of vaccination status. While all players were cleared to enter the arena, there were also protocols in place to test each day as not to run the risk of spreading the disease as there were not any face coverings worn on set besides by the non live on air employees. The players, on camera talent, and coaches were not wearing masks, besides the few players that wanted to. This went fine for the first day of matches, but afterwards some players from FaZe Clan tested positive resulting in those players having to leave. And the tournament host postponing the event until further notice.
Just one day later it was found that the players test were false positive and there was not a risk for exposure for the other athletes, coaches, and all on site employees. While the abundance of caution was warranted to make sure the virus wasn’t spread and postponing the event brought all the players to bring their outrage to social media and explain the disasters of an event that was being put on.
With the event scheduled to kick back off on October 27, as well as be online for the remainder of the event. Its only a matter of time before we see if the event will run into any more issues causing the winner that will be sent to VCT Champions to be called a fluke or if the community will stand by the winner even with the circumstances.
November 2, 2021 at 10:18 pm
I personally have been following Riot’s other major game, League of Legends, and their annual Worlds escapade. This is my first year ever really paying attention to the world of Esports, and I have found myself to be fascinated by the magnitude of the Worlds stage and how well sanctioned it is. As I read what you are saying here, I am astounded. Do you mean to tell me that this same company, which has been able to prove that they are more than capable of hosting a legitimate tournament with standards and procedures, pulled a complete 180 on their Worlds procedure for a different game under the same company? That is absolutely nuts.