Riot Games recently announced that they have delayed the start of the LCS 2023 Summer Season for League of Legends. The announcement comes in the wake of the ongoing LCS Player Strike. The strike has caused significant disruption and uncertainty in the North American esports scene.
Initially scheduled to begin on June 1, 2023, the LCS Summer Split has now been pushed back by two weeks. The delay aims to address the concerns raised by the player strike. Riot wants to ensure that the league can showcase the best competitive League of Legends.
Why was the LCS Summer Season 2023 postponed?
Naz Aletaha is the Global Head of LoL Esports at Riot Games. He emphasized the company’s commitment to upholding its values and providing a platform that offers players and fans the highest level of competition. Aletaha stated, “Nothing but putting the best players in North America on the stage at Riot Games Arena is acceptable.” Riot Games believes this delay will allow them to achieve this goal and deliver an exceptional experience.
The decision to postpone the LCS Summer Season follows Riot Games’ implementation of contingency plans last week in response to the player strike. However, upon further consideration, Riot determined that these plans did not align with Riot’s core values. As a result, the company decided to inform the leadership of the LCS Players Association (LCSPA) about the two-week delay.
Riot Games recently announced a proposal to allow teams to make late roster additions once the LCS walkout vote was passed. This demonstrates the company’s willingness to address player concerns and find solutions that maintain the integrity of the league.
The current plan is to proceed with the LCS 2023 Summer Split immediately after the two-week delay. However, Aletaha cautioned that the delay could extend beyond this timeframe. If this were to happen, Riot Games may be forced to cancel the entire LCS summer season. Such a decision would also impact the eligibility of LCS teams for the 2023 Worlds. This is a scenario Riot Games hopes to avoid but acknowledges as a possibility.
The delay of the LCS Summer Season has left League of Legends fans and players with mixed reactions. Some view it as a necessary step to address the concerns raised during the player strike, while others express disappointment over the disruption to the competitive calendar. However, it is clear that Riot Games is prioritizing the quality and fairness of the league, aiming to deliver an exceptional experience for both players and fans.
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