The League of Legends player Yilang “Doublelift” Peng announced his retirement from professional gaming at the end of November. One reason for this was the debate surrounding a new support for him and his team TSM. But now the player Doublelift wished for has finally arrived.
What happened at TSM? The AD Carry Doublelift has been playing League of Legends since Season 1. That’s nearly 10 years ago. He was last contracted with the American team SoloMid. With this team, Doublelift won his eighth championship in the LCS in the summer of 2020.
He has significantly shaped the history of the LCS and is considered one of the most well-known, talented, and controversial LoL players in the West. But in November he announced his retirement:
- There were rumors that this had to do with the signing of a new support player. Doublelift reportedly desired a foreign player who could still speak fluent English.
- His preference would have been Hu “SwordArt” Shuo-Chieh. He is originally from Taiwan and last played for the Chinese team Suning, where he even reached the finals of Worlds.
- However, the signing of the player seemed unlikely, and thus Doublelift ended his career.
Just one day after the retirement, however, TSM announced the signing of SwordArt. Doublelift reacted to this in a livestream, emphasizing that he still will not return to professional gaming.
“I am better off in retirement”
What did Doublelift say? In the livestream, Doublelift recounted the entire story surrounding his retirement:
- The Worlds 2020 were a debacle for TSM. After the 0-6 defeat, the team’s midlaner Bjergsen announced his retirement. Doublelift also considered it.
- However, the idea of SwordArt reportedly kept him hopeful. He claimed to want to play with the best roster that TSM could assemble.
- However, the negotiations with SwordArt did not go well. The management then asked Doublelift whether he would stay with the team if Nguyễn “Palette” Hải Trung were to become the new support.
- Doublelift thought the player was good and even claimed to have recommended him to TSM. But since he does not speak good English, the AD Carry decided against a new season.
How does Doublelift react to the transfer of SwordArt? At the time of his retirement, the professional player did not know that SwordArt would indeed be transferring. Due to his quality and good English skills, Doublelift had wished for this supporter so much.
But even in hindsight, he is still satisfied with his retirement:
The whole situation [surrounding SwordArt] made me realize: I am better off in retirement.
TSM is restructuring, a German player is joining
Many changes are happening this season for the American LoL team. The old veterans Bjergsen (24) and Doublelift (27) are gone, and the top laner Broken Blade (20) transferred to Schalke 04.
Joining is the German mid laner Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage, who is to replace Bjergsen. Also new is the top laner Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon, who played for Fnatic in 2015 and for T1 in 2016.
In addition, there were many changes in the support position. The supporters Erik “Treatz” Wessén and Vincent “Biofrost” Wang have left the team. They alternated playing for TSM. They will be replaced by the aforementioned SwordArt, who is reportedly to receive $6 million for a 2-year contract.
The only unclear situation is around the AD Carry position. Doublelift currently leaves a gap there. Who will fill it is not known at this time.
While we in western LoL primarily discuss player transfers, there is a major legal case against a coach in South Korea. He is accused of having choked a player.
Everything about the case and the current developments:
The fascinating case of the LoL coach who allegedly choked a player
