There are big changes on the horizon for the North American (NA) and European (EU) League Championship Series (LCS)! After looking at quite a few key factors, Riot Games, the developer of leading esports title League of Legends, has decided to shift the NA LCS to a double best-of-3 format and the EU LCS to a double best-of 2 format for the 2016 Summer Split. In previous splits the leagues have functioned on a double best-of-1 format where two teams would meet up twice a split playing one game each time.
The best-of-1 format had quite a few strengths on an entertainment level, but also brought with it quite a few drawbacks as well. It was strengthened by its roughly predictable schedule in which each team played each day (over the course of two days per region). This allowed for viewers to easily tune in to watch their team(s) compete. Speaking on losing this strength of the best-of-1 format Riot stated, “Looking back, showcasing every team on each day was an important pat of growing the league from its infancy when team brands weren’t nearly as strong as they are today.”
What makes a best-of-2 or best-of-3 more attractive?
Best-of-2 and best-of-3 formats bring an immediate competitive value on a professional and international level for the players that the previous one game format did not allow for. Best-of-2s offer a similar consistency of the best-of-1 format in the sense that time slots can be predictable; however, this format also allows the teams to adapt between games and gain valuable experience for the international stage. The biggest drawback of the best-of-2 format is that it allows for the possibility of 1-1 ties which can leave both viewers and competitors unsatisfied.
Best-of-3s bring the strongest competitive benefits, sheerly by supporting the highest numbers of matches, and they are emotionally satisfying because there is a clear winner at the end of each series. The biggest drawback for the players with this format is that some teams will play more games than others and the matchups may seem a bit less fair because of the number of games on each side that teams will play. On the fan side, match scheduling will be less predictable and some lower quality matchups may be shown for an extended amount of time.
Why two formats instead of one between the two regions?
Riot stated that they have decided to try both formats out instead of choosing one because of the pros and cons of each. The best-of-2 was chosen to test in the European region because it is a region where ties are both understood and accepted in the competitive culture due to the prevalence of football (American soccer). While on the North American side avoiding ties is the motto, so the best-of-3 format was chosen for testing there.
How will scheduling work with these extended formats?
In the EU LCS, the regular season will still be broadcast over two days (Thursday and Friday); however, it will be moving to a two-stream broadcast. This will give fans the option to choose which matchup they would prefer to watch live and if they want to watch both, spoiler-free VODs will be available at www.lolesports.com. Below is a graphic of how the 2016 EU LCS Summer Split schedule will work:
Photo taken from lolesports.com
In the NA LCS, the viewing schedule will be extended to a three day broadcast (Friday-Saturday-Sunday). A single stream featuring two matches will be shown on Friday and two simultaneous streams will be run on Saturday and Sunday. Here is a graphic of how the 2016 NA LCS Summer Split will pan out:
Photo taken from lolesports.com
Only time will tell regarding the impact that these changes will have on the viewing audience and the professional players of the LCS on an international stage. What are your thoughts on these changes? Feel free to comment below.
Featured image courtesy of lolesports.com
