For this year’s League of Legends World Championship, Riot Games took a bold risk by shaking up a format that had been in place for 10 seasons. The traditional group stage, which had been the highlight of the tournament’s main event since 2014, was replaced by an innovative Swiss format. This new format has been well-received by the League community, bringing freshness, varied matchups, and earlier best-of series to the event.
The Swiss format pits teams with the same records against each other in each round until they reach either three wins and qualify or three losses and get eliminated. This change eliminated predetermined schedules and ensured that every match played during the first leg of the main event had weight to it. Fans have expressed their pleasure for the shakeup, appreciating the entertainment value and the potential for further improvement.
However, viewers have also noted that the Swiss format introduces more variance in matchups, leading to some teams having easier paths to the quarterfinals than others. NRG Esports, the LCS champions, have faced scrutiny as the randomized draw spared them from competing against Korean and Chinese teams. While NRG’s wins came against teams from North America and EMEA, they now face Weibo Gaming from the LPL in their first quarterfinal matchup. To prove themselves, NRG will have to navigate the Eastern gauntlet, starting with a match against the only team that took a game off them during the Swiss stage. NRG is the final Western team remaining at Worlds 2023.
While it can be argued that teams like NRG had an easier road to the quarterfinals, it is unfair to diminish their accomplishment. Reaching the top eight at Worlds is an unquestionable achievement, regardless of the opponents faced.
Some viewers have also expressed dissatisfaction with the format switch from best-of-three play in the play-in stage to best-of-one play in the first two stages of the Swiss, only to return to best-of-threes for the qualifying matches. This change in pacing feels disjointed, especially considering the extended duration of this year’s tournament. The grand finals will not be played until Nov. 19, making it the latest wrap-up date for a professional League season in history.
Despite the potential challenges and exhaustion, there is still excitement for the upcoming knockout stage. The Worlds quarterfinals will commence on Thursday, Nov. 2 in Busan.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
