The two major international e-sports events of League of Legends will take place completely differently in 2023. The LoL Worlds 2023 and the MSI will finally receive changes aimed at creating more exciting series between the 4 major regions.
What is the problem with the two tournaments? For ages, there have been complaints about the formats of MSI and Worlds in LoL: There are too many group games and too few exciting playoff series between the top teams.
The fans desire
- fewer “meaningless matches” in a “Best of One”; especially at the Worlds, the play-ins dragged on a bit, especially since there were often one-sided games between high favorites and teams from smaller regions
- more exciting series over 3 or 5 games between the international heavyweights from the 4 major regions – North America, Europe, China, and South Korea
- that the superstars do not get eliminated immediately just because they lose a series
This criticism has existed for years, and now Riot announced major changes for the two “international tournaments,” MSI and the Worlds 2023, on January 10 (via lolesports).
MSI invites 8 teams from the 4 major regions – Double-Elimination
These will be the changes at MSI: The MSI (Mid-Season-Invitational), in the middle of the year, will focus more strongly on the 4 major regions than before:
- In 2023, 2 teams from the major regions will fly to MSI. 5 of these 8 teams are directly qualified for the main tournament: both teams from Korea and the champions of the other 3 regions. South Korea receives the extra spot because they became world champions in 2022.
- The 3 other teams from the major regions and 5 teams from smaller regions must fight their way into the tournament in a preliminary round. 3 teams from these 8 will reach the playoffs
- In the playoffs, 8 teams will compete against each other in a “Double-Elimination” system. There will be a “Loser’s Bracket.” This had never been seen before at an international tournament in LoL.
What does this mean? The MSI will place a stronger focus on the 4 major regions and, as a result, should offer more series between the absolute top stars in the main round.
Bonus match USA vs. Europe and the complex Swiss system at the Worlds
This is how the Worlds are changing: The Worlds will get another preliminary round: The 4th team from the LEC will duel with the fourth-best team from the LCS in a Best-of-5 series for a spot at the Worlds. This apparently aims to fulfill the fans’ desire for more frequent matchups between the USA and Europe.
The “Play-In Stage,” where weaker teams compete for the right to be at the Worlds, will be completely revamped.
Previously, there were group matches; in 2023 there will be Best-of-Three series.
The main round of the Worlds was previously played in groups; this will also change completely. The tournament will switch to the so-called “Swiss System”: In this system, teams advance by achieving 3 wins, and teams are eliminated after losing 3 times. Out of 16 teams, 8 will advance to the knockout stage.
The knockout rounds at the Worlds will remain the same.
How can this be seen? The clear winners of the changes are the 4 major regions. The USA and South Korea may be slightly ahead of Europe and China.
Victims are certainly the “smaller regions”: For teams from Japan, Brazil, or other regions, it will now become even harder to be noticed internationally.
The “Best-of” series should ensure that the “better team” prevails. The logic is as follows:
- in a “Best-of-one” series, even the underdog can surprise the favorite, catch them off guard, perhaps a draft works particularly well for one side
- in a “Best-of-three” or “Best-of-five” series, both teams have the chance to react, adjust to the other team – thus, quality is more likely to prevail
“I think I’m dreaming”
How is this being discussed? Fans are currently very surprised on reddit that these changes are really coming and how radical they are.
Initial comments are along the lines of: “Pinch me, I think I’m dreaming.”
Especially the bonus match between Europe and the USA will provide many memes, many agree.
Overall, Riot is praised for the changes.
The rivalry between the USA and Europe is legendary.
