The USA also disappointed at the LoL Worlds 2020: The US teams of the League of Legends were eliminated in the group stage. The 2019 world champion, the Chinese Doinb, explains the reason: The US league LCS has too many old players who just won’t retire. There is a lack of teenagers who can bring a new perspective to League of Legends.
This is how it went for the USA at the LoL Worlds recently: The last 2 world championships went catastrophically for the US league LCS. Although it is still considered one of the 4 major regions and sends 3 teams to the Worlds every year, 2019 and 2020 saw all LCS representatives eliminated in the group stage:
- although the stars of the LCS in 2019 were pushed and praised all year from the domestic phases, it was not enough in 2019 against the teams from Asia and Europe to escape the group phase
- even in 2020, all 3 LCS teams were eliminated after the first 6 real games
The worst punishment this year was for the nominally strongest team in the USA: Team Solo Mid was eliminated from the Worlds without winning a single game. This has never happened before that a “number 1” seed from a major region went home winless.
In the USA, there are always the same players
Why are the USA so bad? The midlaner of FunPlus Phoenix, Doinb, explains his view of the problem:
- in the USA, no new players or rookies are rising to the teams
- the same players always play and change teams from year to year
- therefore, the same players always go to the Worlds and perform worse than expected
- the typical LCS player is in their 20s
Doinb believes that the teams hold on to “old players” for so long because fans have gotten used to them and are more fans of the players rather than the teams. Therefore, players keep their spots as long as they are in good form and new players do not get a chance to become professional players.
From the perspective of Asian LoL professionals, it is completely astonishing that players in the USA can play for “so long”.
In fact, this year there was only one new LCS player at the Worlds, the ADC of Team Liquid: Tactical. Only 5 players made it as rookies to an LCS team overall. Most LoL players in their teenage years are waiting in academy teams in the USA for their chances.
The advantage of Asia is the many teenagers and their “go for it” attitude
This is Asia’s advantage:
- Doinb explains that in Korea and China, there are strong new rookies every year trying to break into the league
- This would also help the older players, as one is constantly playing and training in the lanes against teenagers
- Players aged 17, 18, 19 have a different mindset about gameplay, focusing heavily on “mechanics” while showing little interest in tactics. They have a “When I see you, I fight you” mentality that leads to a “Either you die or I do” approach
It is quite normal for players to lose reaction time as they enter their 20s. In esports, reaction time is incredibly important.
However, Doinb sees hope for the US league: Many players are now slowly reaching the age where they retire. Then it will be time for a new era.
Is Doinb right? The US stars themselves often blame the solo queue in North America for the problems in the USA. Doublelift stated that the solo queue raises only “egomaniacs” who then do not function well in teams. It is often said that professionals do not take the solo queue seriously enough, putting the region at a disadvantage due to the low training level.
But in fact, Doinb’s explanation seems to make sense and is compelling when considering the stars of the Worlds and their ages:
It is noticeable that in Asia the generational change has already taken place. In 2020, the dominant LoL players from Asia (and Europe) are around 20 years old and are playing in their first or second World Championship. The “older players” like Faker cannot qualify for the World Championship or have already ended their careers like Uzi.
At DAMWON Gaming, young players like Showmaker and Nuguri gained initial experience in 2019 and felt the pressure of the Worlds. They failed early then. In 2020, they defeated the experienced players from G2 Esports and are now in the final.
In the USA, one sees rather the old stars who switch from team to team, who bring a lot of experience and enjoy high respect from fans, but whose chances decline year by year.
Meanwhile, US players at 23 are completely baffled that their LoL careers should already be over. They do not understand why they should make room for rookies who have achieved nothing yet.
One of the best players in the USA has now ended his career: The Dane Bjergsen leaves after 6 years with Team Solo Mid at just 24 years old. He has also participated in many Worlds without really winning anything.
Perhaps his retirement can initiate the beginning of a new era:
LoL: The biggest star in the West ends career at 24 – After Worlds disaster
