- Chill vs Combat-Ex-
- Iris vs GGplay OSL (my first ever BW live viewing)
- YellOw vs Bisu @ Heartbreak Ridge
- the list goes on
I really dislike that I've been away from TL for so long. I do my best to follow all their pro players though. RIP TI6 T__T.
Riot Games has become a massive company. Before, I could recognize ~50% of the Rioters walking in hallways, but now that number has fallen to probably 10-15%. There are so many teams that form up and dissolve, I can hardly keep track anymore. I currently work as in analytics/statistics for esports but there is a good chance the majority of Rioters have no idea I exist.
Riot Games has definitely taken some hits (I'm writing this as Merrill is being blasted on Reddit), but I'm confident Riot puts players first. I hope to never leave this company. I think their dedication to the playerbase (especially behind-the-scenes) is unmatched. Esports is in an interesting position. I feel like we're in the 2000-04 Brood War days. Ground zero. I went to MSG last year and visited the 9/11 Memorial. I would spent an extra day there in an instant.
The NA LCS finals are being held at the ACC in Toronto. About fucking time we went to Canada amirite. I was so glad we announced Canada as the location for summer finals. I'll be meeting some friends I've never ever seen because of that. It's pretty crazy how easily people can bond over the internet if they share interest in the same game. I think NA's best shot at Worlds will involve a TSM win on Sunday.
LMS appears capped. Flash Wolves are the #1 seed and they have the same roster as before. MMD holds them back in top lane and NL needs more dominant games before I get behind him, I want that region to get better. China's EDG/RNG are powerhouse teams. I want them to hold their own vs Korea.
Unlike Brood War, I want to believe foreigners will upset top tier Koreans. I dropped by ElkY's stream the other week. God, he's a legend. I remember when Ret tried to break into the KR scene... Foreign players were so hopeless back then. Maybe it's still the same now. ROX / SKT will be heavy favorites to win it all.
MedryBW is now showing B.Net attack with Hyuk... why do SKT Zergs suck?