EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/euCbWAa.png)
Why did you host this conference for the players to attend?
"There are a lot of reasons, but for starters, this year's LPL grew from 8 teams to 12 teams. We also have a lot more Korean players who have come to China. I feel like there is a need to communicate with the players directly.
We've tried it before too - but to be honest - in the past two years, we were also trying to look for smaller problems - we were trying to figure out, from the player point of view, what kind of problems they could potentially face.
This kind of conference, for us, is honestly a risk because we're terribly afraid that these players might develop some misunderstandings that may cause some negative emotions.
So after two years - no matter if it's the company's own conditions or the current circumstance of the players - before the 2015 season begins, we will definitely have a direct talk with the players. But right now the results look pretty good."
How would you remove any apprehensions that the players might have?
"Well, I feel like in the past two years, we haven't done such big conferences. Misunderstandings didn't exist at the time. Most of our talks went smoothly. A hundred or so people came.
I feel like our worries before were that from the player point of view, these regulations were made to punish them.
But we've helped them out a lot concerning the business side of things and promoting them. I feel like this practice to hold these conferences has come at the right time."
How are you supposed to promote the players' business worth?
"Aside from the production, we will make sure the internet broadcast, the tv broadcast, the stage, etc - including makeup and other details - more refined this season. We also will begin to commercialize the scene.
We have a plan. For example, this year we may launch, using the players images, some merchandise. Maybe some player cards. Maybe some--well, we've already started to help develop some uniforms, hoping that the colors chosen can represent the teams properly.
We're working towards a more structured and standardized economy in esports.
Hopefully, this will promote the game and the scene - and also help promote the business value of each player."
How will you manage future competition?
"This is not something we do alone--we have to depend on others. At the heart of our work is to ensure, in the grand scheme of things, we can maintain the stability of the scene, especially with the entrance of international players.
Aside from this, we will also expand our staff. We've already had our staff toil extremely hard. So at every stage, we will send out two managers to regulate everything. Before that it was usually one person. This year in order to avoid that, we will work hard to oversee everything.
And also, as I mentioned earlier about the business side of things, we will work on some new initiatives--for example, to see if fans will buy player merchandise to support the players and cover their expenses. If we do well, the players can have some income. Hopefully, in the future, it doesn't only cover their expenses but make some profit."
In the future, what kind of communication will you have with the players or athletes?
"We have a plan. In the beginning, we didn't learn from our lessons. Two years after becoming more stable and structured, we felt like our work should be more transparent. So last year we went live with our website.
So honestly, we've thought about the problem you brought up before. We will add more site administrators who will bring light to what we're doing and our job in the LPL."
Interview with Vasilii
Do you have any thoughts concerning these conferences?
"I feel like what's good about it is that it's very professional. They explained some details concerning the athletes and teams very clearly."
[Concerning the competitive sage] I saw pictures of the stage - and I think it looks good. But hopefully, it looks that good in real life too."
In the future, do you hope League of Legends will ensure your rights and benefits?
"L.ace gives us the impression that they are very fair. This is the most important thing. From what I understand, they've done pretty well. It looks very professional. I feel pretty secure."
Do you have any camera advice to give everyone?
"Just be relaxed. Pretend there's no camera filming you. I lack interview experience - and right now I'm not so great at interviews either - but I just learned and improved a little."
Source: http://v.cga.cn/lol/9915/24/2
