The Impact of VCT 2024’s Format on Esports Teams: A Cause for Concern
The upcoming 2024 VALORANT Champions Tour has introduced a new format that has sparked controversy within the community. Riot Games has decided to split each international league’s regular season into two stages, but this decision has raised concerns among fans, pro players, and coaches.
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Under the new format, teams in each international league will be divided into two groups. They will first compete against teams within their own group in stage one, and then face off against teams from the other group in stage two. However, this format has two major drawbacks that have garnered criticism.
1. Limited Matches for Struggling Teams
One of the main concerns is that struggling teams may end up playing very few matches throughout the year. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to stronger teams who make it to playoffs and attend multiple international events. The discrepancy in the number of matches played can have a significant impact on a team’s performance and growth.
For example, in 2023, top teams like Evil Geniuses and Fnatic played 16 and 15 matches respectively at international events, while teams like MIBR and Detonation FocusMe only played 11 VCT matches in total. This disparity in playtime can hinder the development of struggling teams and create an uneven playing field.
2. Few Matches Determine Playoff Qualification
The second concern revolves around the small number of matches that determine which teams qualify for prestigious events like Masters Shanghai and Champions 2024. In each stage, the playoff field is determined by just five matches. Depending on how the groups are seeded, a team’s path to playoffs and potential championship can be heavily influenced by circumstances beyond their control.
This format has raised questions about fairness and the impact it may have on the long-term health of the league and the VALORANT ecosystem. Many within the pro community argue that a significant portion of players only participating in around a dozen official matches throughout the year could have detrimental effects.
The Response from VALORANT Esports
In response to the concerns, Leo Faria, the Global Head of VALORANT Esports, stated that there are no plans to increase the baseline number of matches next year when the schedule becomes more spaced out. Faria’s comment that “fans want to see the best teams play more” has further fueled the discontent among players and fans alike.
The impact of VCT 2024’s format on esports teams is a topic that continues to generate debate. As the community awaits the start of the tournament, the implications of this decision remain a cause for concern.
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