With the highly anticipated LoL Worlds 2024 closing in, Riot Games announced Linkin Park��s ‘Heavy is the Crown’ single as the official anthem for the upcoming esports event.
The song will be officially released on the LoL YouTube channel and other streaming platforms on Tuesday, September 24, at 8pm PT.
Riot Games�� announcement comes shortly after Linkin Park re-entered the scene with a new single, ‘The Emptiness Machine’.
The song featured a new vocalist, Emily Armstrong, who replaced the late Chester Bennington, and a new drummer, Colin Brittain.
Introducing your #Worlds2024 anthem artist: @linkinpark
"Heavy is the Crown" music video out September 24 at 8am PT: https://t.co/M1nHDC0hou pic.twitter.com/ZotsvzuDBx
— League of Legends (@LeagueOfLegends) September 23, 2024
��It��s been an amazing experience partnering with Riot to bring this anthem to the global League of Legends community,�� said Linkin Park member Mike Shinoda.
��The song is a real highlight of this new era for us, harnessing our signature sound and infusing it with fresh energy. We��re so excited for players and fans to experience this!��
‘Heavy is the Crown’ is Linkin Park��s second single featuring Armstrong, while the band is set to release a new album, From Zero, shortly after the LoL Worlds 2024 grand finals.
LoL World Championship returns to Europe
League of Legends World Championship 2024 kicks off on Wednesday, September 25, with the play-in stage featuring eight teams from six regions.
The opening stage will conclude on Sunday, September 29, with the top four sides joining 12 directly qualified squads in the main event.
This year��s event will take place across Germany and France and conclude with the grand finals in England.
It will mark the fifth World Championship to visit Europe and the first since 2021, when it was held in Reykjav��k, Iceland.
The list of participating teams has no surprises, featuring the usual suspects, a few returning faces, and two newcomers in Hanwha Life Esports and FlyQuest.
While the tournament is stacked with some of the world��s elite squads, the LoL betting sites make it clear which three are most likely to claim the coveted Summoner��s Cup.
Gen.G lead the outright markets as $3.75 favourites, followed by China��s Bilibili Gaming at $3.75 and Hanwha Life Esports at $4.50.
G2 Esports are the top Western candidates at $29.00, ahead of Team Liquid and FlyQuest at $41.00 and Fnatic at $51.00.
LoL Worlds 2024 begins with a clash between MAD Lions KOI and Vikings Esports on Wednesday, September 25, at 2pm CEST.
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Powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), this data-driven system provides real-time updates on the global standings of all Tier 1 teams, offering fans and analysts an up-to-the-minute view of the competitive landscape.
The Global Power Rankings are based on an Elo model that evaluates both a team’s individual performance and the overall strength of the region they represent.
Introducing LoL Esports Global Power Rankings powered by @awscloud! #Worlds2024
All the info: https://t.co/jUnYJus0en pic.twitter.com/d9OwjnU8q1
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) September 19, 2024
A team��s Power Score is weighted, with 80% based on their Elo rating and 20% on the strength of their regional league.
This “blended Elo metric” ensures that the rankings reflect both how well teams perform and the difficulty of the competition they face, offering a more balanced perspective on global standings.
One standout feature of the system is its ability to update after every game, rather than only after tournaments or splits.
This real-time tracking provides a dynamic view of team standings as they compete throughout the season, particularly during high-stakes matches.
Furthermore, international events are given more weight in the rankings than regional ones, and elimination matches carry greater significance compared to group-stage games.
This ensures that the most impactful games have a greater influence on the rankings.
Riot has also implemented “Contextualised Match Weighting (K Factors)” to further refine the system, making sure that more important competitions and games influence rankings appropriately.
Additionally, the rankings incorporate performance data from the last three years of regional play and the last two years of team performance, creating stability even amid roster changes.
The Global Power Rankings have been thoroughly tested and are designed with predictive capabilities, offering a reliable indicator of future match outcomes.
Riot has plans for future updates, which may include integrating in-game statistics to further refine the Power Scores and introducing player-based power rankings to evaluate individual impact on matches.
Fans will be able to follow the Global Power Rankings on the LoL Esports website and during official broadcasts throughout Worlds 2024, with the final rankings for the season published after the tournament concludes on November 2nd.
This innovative ranking system is set to transform how League of Legends fans, teams, and analysts understand the competitive scene on a global scale.
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This information, first shared by esports journalist Travis Gafford, has surprised many, particularly with NRG��s unexpected exit.
I've heard from multiple individuals close to the teams that NRG and Immortals will not be competing in the LCS in 2025https://t.co/bNVn8UZAAW pic.twitter.com/rD1dau8tcC
— Travis Gafford (@TravisGafford) September 10, 2024
Immortals�� departure comes as little surprise due to their underwhelming performance since rejoining the LCS in 2019.
However, NRG��s exit has left the community stunned, especially considering the organisation acquired Counter Logic Gaming (CLG) and its LCS slot in 2023.
In a short span, NRG built a championship-winning roster, had a solid run at the 2023 World Championship, and now appears to be walking away from League of Legends esports.
Fans expressed frustration, with some accusing NRG of buying the team only to let it operate on autopilot before bailing.
This report also lists six teams expected to participate in the new League of Legends Americas competition: Cloud9, Dignitas, Shopify Rebellion, FlyQuest, and 2024 World Championship representatives Team Liquid and 100 Thieves.
While these teams are expected to make the transition, there are still uncertainties, particularly regarding 100 Thieves, which is rumoured to be considering restructuring or even selling its league spot.
The restructuring of the LCS comes as Riot Games plans to merge North America��s LCS with Latin America’s LLA and Brazil��s CBLOL into a unified two-conference region by 2025.
While teams like Cloud9, FlyQuest, Liquid, and Shopify Rebellion have reportedly embraced the changes, nothing is set in stone until Riot formally announces the final list of participants.
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According to a video allegedly from Riot Games�� esports team, VALORANT Masters Toronto is set to take place in June 2025.
This would mark the first time a significant VALORANT Champions Tour event has been held in Canada, making it a monumental occasion for the country’s passionate fanbase.
The leaked video, which featured Riot Games’ Anna Donlon and Leo Faria, outlines the locations for VALORANT��s 2025 competitive events.
? Masters 2025: Bangkok
? Masters 2025: Toronto
? Champions 2025: Parispic.twitter.com/08uGwASTpo
— VALORANT Leaks & News (@VALORANTLeaksEN) August 20, 2024
The first international event of the year is expected to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, followed by Masters Toronto, and culminating with VALORANT Champions in Paris, France.
These announcements have fans buzzing, especially in Canada, where anticipation has been high for an event of this magnitude.
This isn��t the first time Riot Games has considered hosting a major esports event in Canada.
In the past, there were plans to hold the 2022 League of Legends World Championship semifinals in Toronto, but those plans were scrapped in favour of Atlanta due to COVID-19-related travel complications.
This time, however, Canadian fans are hopeful that everything will go according to plan, allowing them to experience the thrill of a VCT event on home soil.
The 2025 season will kick off in January with a return of the kickoff tournaments, leading into a new format that features a 12-team double-elimination bracket.
The top two teams from these tournaments will qualify for Masters Bangkok.
Stage 1 of the VCT league season will then determine the teams that advance to Masters Toronto.
A significant change in the format is that Stage 1 records will not carry over into Stage 2, requiring teams to maintain high performance throughout the year if they aim to reach the Champions event at the end of the season.
While Riot Games has yet to officially confirm these details across all platforms, the leaked information has already sparked widespread excitement.
Fans are eagerly awaiting Riot��s formal announcement, which is expected to come before the final match of VALORANT Champions 2024.
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Her decade-long tenure at Riot Games, where she served as the Global Head of League of Legends Esports, has significantly contributed to the game’s success.
Naz Aletaha, who joined Riot Games over 13 years ago from Activision, announced her departure from the company on X (Twitter).
After more than twelve incredible years, @NazAletaha is stepping down as the Global Head of League of Legends Esports.
While it's bittersweet to see you go, we'll be forever grateful for everything that you have done for LoL Esports and wish you nothing but the best for your�� pic.twitter.com/V8RFF5js9p
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) July 29, 2024
Starting her career at Riot as a Senior Manager in Business Development, she quickly moved to the LoL Esports division as the Head of Global Esports Partnerships and Business Development.
Her exceptional leadership led to her promotion in October 2021 to Global Head of League of Legends Esports.
Reflecting on her time at Riot, Aletaha said, “There��s a palpable, contagious sort of passion that Rioters share. It��s why I joined Riot in the first place back in 2012.
“More than a decade and lots of growth later, that passion still shines through every team, function, and office.
“It��s been an honor to work alongside such a talented group of individuals, and my thanks goes out to each and every one of them for the impact they��ve had on me and what we do every day.”
Under her leadership, LoL Esports achieved numerous milestones, including the 2023 World Championship, which set a record with 6,402,760 peak viewers.
“I think LoL Esports has the best fans in the world,” Aletaha continued.
“Your passion runs so deep, and your love for the game, the teams, and the players has made LoL Esports into what it is today.
“Seeing the ways you show up for this sport across every corner of the world has, hands down, been the best part of my esports experience.
“You make it so worth it. Thank you for caring as much as you do.”
In February 2024, Aletaha took a sabbatical after a challenging year.
Upon her return, she announced her decision to leave Riot Games.
“After time away on sabbatical, I��ve decided I��m ready to start a new chapter in my career,” she said.
“It��s been an incredible 12.5-year run here at Riot Games, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we��ve accomplished as a team.
“This decision wasn��t easy, but it��s the right time for me to explore new horizons.
“I��ll be taking the next few months to transition the team before leaving the company by the fall.”
Aletaha will remain with Riot for the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.
Chris Greeley, who has been with Riot Games since January 2017 and served as the Global Head of Strategy for LoL Esports, will take over as Global Head of LoL Esports.
Greeley has also overseen LoL Esports in North America and Oceania from 2021 to 2022.
The community and her colleagues at Riot Games, including Pu Liu, game director for League of Legends, and Leo Faria, head of VALORANT esports, have expressed their appreciation for Aletaha’s contributions.
Her departure marks the end of an era, and the LoL Esports community eagerly anticipates the future under Greeley’s leadership.
]]>Alongside this exciting addition, Riot revealed plans for a comprehensive restructuring of the League of Legends competitive landscape.
The as-yet-unnamed tournament, slated for March, will feature five elite teams representing the LEC, LPL, LCK, and the newly-formed Americas and APAC leagues.
To accommodate this prestigious event, all regional leagues will transition to a three-split format, mirroring the successful model of the LEC.
This major overhaul reflects Riot’s commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of League of Legends esports.
Key changes include the proposed amalgamation of the LCS, LLA, and CBLOL into a unified Americas league, similar to the structure of VALORANT esports.
Additionally, the LCO, PCS, VCS, and LJL will merge to form the APAC league.
The new tournament, while smaller in scale compared to Worlds, will serve as a crucial addition to the global esports calendar, fulfilling the desires of players and fans alike for more international competition.
Following the Winter Split, teams will vie for a coveted spot in the inaugural event, with subsequent splits leading to the Mid-Season Invitational and the pinnacle of competitive play, the World Championship.
Each region’s allocation of slots in international events will be adjusted to accommodate the new tournament, with the top-performing regions earning additional spots at Worlds.
Furthermore, Riot plans to integrate the results of the new tournament into the seeding for MSI, ensuring a seamless connection between global events.
In conjunction with these changes, Riot aims to enhance the competitive experience with the introduction of the Fearless Draft mode in both regional and international play, adding an element of unpredictability and diversity to champion selection.
Overall, Riot’s ambitious plans for the 2025 season signal a new era for League of Legends esports, marked by increased global connectivity and heightened competition.
Fans can anticipate further details on the tournament and its impact on the competitive landscape in the months to come.
]]>Announced on January 4, 2024, the Hall of Legends aims to honour the most exceptional players in League’s history.
Faker’s induction is celebrated for his game-changing plays, numerous international and domestic trophies, and his enduring dedication to League of Legends.
“Faker is truly the most iconic and influential figure in League of Legends and esports history,” said John Needham, President of Esports at Riot Games.
“His name is synonymous with excellence in LoL Esports, and he has rightfully earned his place as our very first Hall of Legends inductee.”
4x World Champion
2x MSI Champion
10x LCK ChampionThe Unkillable Demon King takes his throne.
Welcome to the Hall of Legends, @Faker.Watch on June 14, 2024.@MercedesBenz | #HallOfLegends pic.twitter.com/Mzx9Z0oXtr
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) May 22, 2024
Faker��s selection involved a rigorous process where a panel of esports industry veterans and experts from every region evaluated candidates.
The South Korean star will be honored with a trophy and a custom Mercedes-AMG SL 63, his fourth car overall and second Mercedes-Benz.
To celebrate Faker��s induction, Riot Games is launching an in-game event featuring cosmetic items and a dedicated ��art piece�� that highlights his career milestones.
The event will include an event pass that allows players to earn cosmetics and explore pivotal moments in Faker��s career.
Additionally, leaks have revealed a new Ahri skin dedicated to him, and it��s speculated that the event will launch with patch 14.11, expected on May 29, 2024.
Faker and T1, his LCK team, will receive a percentage of the revenue from the sale of passes and bundles.
Faker��s career achievements are unparalleled: he boasts four World Championship titles, making him the oldest competitor to claim the Summoner��s Cup and the record holder for the most Worlds titles.
Additionally, he has 10 LCK trophies and two Mid-Season Invitational titles.
His contributions to LoL and esports have not only set a high standard for professional players but have also inspired millions globally.
This honour follows Faker’s 2018 induction into ESL��s Esports Hall of Fame, where he won the Special Community Award for his broad appeal and popularity.
Riot Games plans to make the Hall of Legends an annual celebration, continuing to honour the legacy of League of Legends and its greatest stars.
As fans celebrate Faker��s remarkable career, speculation grows about who w
ill be the next inductee into the Hall of Legends.
Riot Games intends to announce the next inductee around the same time next year, making it an anticipated yearly event in the esports calendar.
]]>The suspension, announced by the VALORANT Challengers Malaysia and Singapore circuit, has stirred controversy and prompted a response from JayH himself.
In a statement released on April 30, the tournament organizer cited a thorough compliance review that pointed to JayH’s alleged involvement in match-fixing prior to his participation in the VALORANT Challengers League (VCL) 2024 Malaysia/Singapore: Split 1.
Official Statement: Jayh from Disguised is receiving provisional suspension from VCT MYSG due to suspicion of match-fixing during the tournament. Fair play and integrity are paramount in our competitions.
#VCTMYSG #VALORANTChallengers #MYSG #Valorant #VCT pic.twitter.com/hrryWPWjDX
— VALORANT Challengers Malaysia & Singapore (@valesports_mysg) April 30, 2024
Consequently, JayH has been suspended from all Riot Games esports events and third-party tournaments until further notice, pending review and adjudication.
JayH promptly refuted the allegations, asserting his innocence and expressing concern over the damage to his reputation, particularly noting the lack of prior communication from the organizers regarding the investigation.
The player emphasized his willingness to cooperate with the ongoing inquiries.
Following JayH’s response, the league confirmed that they had initiated communication with him regarding the issue, giving him 48 hours to respond to the allegations.
However, the exact instances of alleged match-fixing remain unclear, with Riot Games only specifying that it occurred before the VALORANT Challengers 2024 Malaysia and Singapore circuit.
This suspension comes amid a broader discussion about the handling of such allegations in esports.
Notably, while JayH’s suspension is provisional, the consequences of such allegations can have long-lasting effects on a player’s career and reputation.
Moreover, the situation parallels a previous case in the same league involving another player, highlighting the increasing scrutiny on integrity in esports competitions.
As investigations continue, the esports community awaits further developments and potential clarifications from Riot Games regarding the outcome of their review.
]]>Veteran caster Isaac ��Azael�� Cummings-Bentley announced on social media that he won��t be making the trip to China for the three-week-long tournament due to his father��s declining health.
In a heartfelt post, Azael expressed his decision to stay in Canada with his family during this difficult time.
“Hours before flying out to China I got the devastating news that my father doesn��t have much time left,�� he shared on Twitter.
“I��ve made the decision to cancel the trip and spend this time in Canada with my family.��
I unfortunately won't be attending MSI this year.
Hours before flying out to China I got the devastating news that my father doesn't have much time left. I've made the decision to cancel the trip and spend this time in Canada with my family.
Thank you all for understanding
— Isaac CB (@AzaelOfficial) April 29, 2024
This news comes shortly after another North American shoutcaster, Clayton ��CaptainFlowers�� Raines, declared he wouldn��t be participating in MSI 2024 either.
CaptainFlowers cited his sleep schedule and personal health as reasons for declining the opportunity to broadcast the event.
Additionally, his soy allergy made him hesitant to travel to China, where he would face food challenges similar to those he encountered during LoL Worlds 2023 in Korea.
CaptainFlowers announced his decision on social media, expressing regret but also emphasizing the talent and dedication of his colleagues who will be working the event.
I won't be on the show for MSI 2024. pic.twitter.com/eBQ904yKI1
— Clayton Raines (@CaptainFlowers) April 28, 2024
He will be taking the full month of May off and won��t be involved in any MSI-related content until the start of the LCS Summer Split in June.
With two key members absent, it��s uncertain how Riot will handle the broadcast team for MSI.
While Azael was included in the initial announcement, it remains to be seen if his spot will be filled or left vacant.
Riot has not yet revealed the full list of on-air talent for the event, which is set to kick off on Wednesday, May 1.
]]>This game, set in the rich universe of League of Legends, will introduce players to a dynamic 2v2 assist tag team fighting experience.
The roster already boasts iconic champions such as Katarius, Darius, Ahri, Ekko, Jinx, Illaoi, and Yasuo.
Originally announced as a 1v1 fighting game in 2021, Riot Games pivoted to a 2v2 format with assist mechanics, showcasing its progress in 2022 by revealing the game’s core mechanics, including offense, defence, movement, and tagging systems.
The Fighting Games Community (FGC) had their first taste of the game during EVO 2023, and since then, Riot has been actively engaging with players for feedback through online channels and live events.
Looking ahead to 2024, Riot plans to organize more pop-up events worldwide, starting with EVO Japan in April.
Additionally, they intend to share development plans online, inviting the community’s input.
Executive Producer Tom Cannon has hinted at the possibility of at-home playtests by the year’s end, further emphasizing Riot’s commitment to involving players in the game’s evolution.
While the release date is targeted for 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Riot remains open to adjustments based on development progress.
The company aims to bridge the gap between seasoned FGC veterans and newcomers by focusing on accessibility without sacrificing depth.
This approach aligns with their goal of expanding the fighting game community by making 2XKO enjoyable for all players.
As development continues, Riot promises to reveal more details about playable champions, gameplay mechanics, and the game’s release date.
They remain dedicated to collaborating with the FGC to ensure 2XKO delivers an engaging and inclusive experience for fighting game enthusiasts worldwide.
we've got next pic.twitter.com/alcE6nZQQq
— 2XKO (Formerly Project L) (@Play2XKO) February 22, 2024
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