The VCT 2023 LOCK//IN format was heavily criticized by pro players & coaches
Riot Games’ format for VCT LOCK//IN São Paulo, the inaugural VALORANT event for partner teams, has drawn criticism from professional players and trainers.
The 30 franchise teams in attendance plus China team EDward Gaming and FunPlus Phoenix ZHUQUE have been placed into two groups of 16 teams each and Riot used a single elimination format to reduce the number of matches over the three week period of VCT LOCK//IN São Paulo.
However, what really upset the pros was that half the teams would be eliminated from the event after losing their opening matches in the Alpha and Omega groups.
Valorant Pro Player and Trainer Criticism
One of the stronger reactions came from NRG head coach Chet Singh, who is coaching OpTic Gaming in 2022. “Flying to Brazil, have no info about other teams as this is the first game with new meta and single elimination,” said Chet. “Really a very bad tournament to start the year.”
Fly to Brazil, have no info on the other team because it’s the first match with the new meta and it’s single elimination. What an absolute shit tournament to kick off the year
— NRG Chet (@chetsingh) January 17, 2023
One of the best Valorant stars and players, yay and the Cloud9 team are also very disappointed with the format of this tournament. He feels a lot has changed in the game since Champions 2022 and teams may not have had much time to train and showcase their skills.
“Actually, I like the fact that there are so many teams but single elimination is tough. There is currently a massive meta shift, 2 new maps, lots of buffs/nerfs and not to mention almost every team is a new team. It kinda sucks to potentially just play one bo3 and then go home” wrote the C9 star.
tbh love the fact there’s so many teams but single elim is rough
atm there’s been a massive meta shift, 2 new maps, tons of buffs/nerfs and not to mention almost every team is a new one
Kinda sucks to potentially only play one bo3 and then go home
— yay (@yay) January 17, 2023
Former coach of Team Secret and Boom Esports, Fayde also gave his opinion.
“So 16 teams will fly home after 1 bo3 series in Brazil. Whoever decided that this was going to be a tournament format had a few faults in their head.” wrote Fayde about this format.
So 16 teams will fly home after 1 bo3 series in Brazil
Whoever decided that this will be the tournament format has some loose screws in the head
— Fayde (@FaydeVLR) January 18, 2023
One of Valorant’s biggest streamers, Tarik is also disappointed with this format. Teams must prepare to fly to Brazil, continue to quarantine to play only once and then return home. But he understands that limited time has forced Riot to make this decision.
“I couldn’t be in front at all, Brazil’s format is so brutal. The team basically trains to travel there and stay in quarantine for one potential bo3 elimination. I imagine time constraints are forcing Riot to host this way, but I would like to see a different solution.” wrote Pull.
I can’t front at all, the Brazilian format is so brutal. Teams primarily practicing to travel there and stay in quarantine for a potential single elim bo3.
I’d imagine time constraints forced Riot to host this way, but I would’ve liked to see a different solution.
— pull (@pull) January 18, 2023
Riot Games Response To VCT 2023 Format LOCK//IN
Although criticized and criticized by many parties, it seems that Riot and Valorant will not change their decision. Leo Faria, Global Head of Valorant Esports gave his response and reasons for this decision.
We explored every option and this is the best one. Let me know if you see something we didn’t, and I’ll gladly take the feedback. I acknowledge the outcome is not ideal for pros/teams, but I confidently think it’s the best for fans. https://t.co/RT6pIlRJJP
— Leo Faria (@lhfaria) January 18, 2023
Leo Faria feels this format after consideration is the best for Valorant fans. Due to the large number of teams and matches, this format will give the best results for the fans and the team too.
Our known and loved double-elimination format will be back for the Tokyo Masters. With 32 teams, double-elim becomes impractical, unless you want a month and a half-long tournament, so we built a pretty unique and intense format for LOCK//IN.
— Leo Faria (@lhfaria) January 17, 2023
But he also emphasized that this single elimination was for the VCT 2023 LOCK//IN tournament only. And the usual double elimination tournament system will return in future tournaments such as the Masters in 2023.
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