Franchising has left a bad taste in my mouth

#1

SatanLovesYou

Man I knew it was a bad idea as soon as it was announced and the way riot was going about it, but to see it go down like this... How can I even support this fucking game and competitive scene anymore?

No one knew shit until this year about franchising, and then everyone was still in the dark about who was getting in until after champs. So riot specifically used players they knew would be out of jobs to promote their competitive scene and tournaments, while hiding the truth from them, because they didn't want the players and orgs to leave.
It was a scumbag move, Riot should of been clear with their intentions from the start, and public about what teams where getting in. Most of the NA scene thought 7 was the minimum, and while that might not be a lot, that's still 10 more players + all their staff with actual jobs. How they justified cutting scenes in halves or thirds blows my mind, because it's not like NA was the only place to get the axe. Did anyone have an actual problem with how VCT was ran this year? Why couldn't it of stayed the same?
Look at the top NA rankings, all of our highest ranked teams outside of one didn't make it. It's a fucking disgrace to all those players that made our scene great, tried their hearts out, and actually showed up for the tournaments... not just stream farmed and said shit on twitter occasionally... but actually dedicated their lives to the game and the scene. It's fucking disgusting.

#2

Brimstan

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cope

#3

charizard_123

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cope

#4

Noodle

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To the first point, would you prefer for them to just announce the teams in the middle of competition? That would cause a lot more problems than announcing it after Champs. At least now everyone has some time to work things out behind the scenes without worrying about competing.

#18

SatanLovesYou

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What I would of liked is for them to start the VCT off as a franchise league right off the bat rather then use players and orgs to grow their scene then drop them. Or you know, stuck with it being skill based ladder tournaments like it has been where skill>orgs.

#22

charizard_123

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Starting VCT as a franchise makes no sense since you never know how the scene will develop, you never know what different teams could bring to the table, how many players would get the chance to shine, it just doesnt make sense. And riot isn't using the players or the orgs, this is a mutually beneficial industry were players are getting payed to play games and orgs can grow their brands and get exposure. All of these orgs knew franchising was inevitable when valorant started knowing it's a riot game. Hell, a lot of them probably wouldn't have even gotten in if riot didn't have a plan to make the esports scene actually profitable and not an indefinite money burning industry dependant on gambling and betting sponsors.

#29

SatanLovesYou

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It seems more honest then using so many players and orgs to grow your scene, then drop them all for franchising.

Also when has franchising in any esport scene, ever been good. People are saying I'm coping... yet I've never seen a successful franchise rival CSGO or Dota. You could maybe say League? But the LCS viewership has stagnated and been going downhill the last time I checked.

You do have a point that the orgs probably did know, but that still doesn't justify riot using players that dedicated so much to the scene and game. Also they easily made a profit? What are you talking about money burner? Bruh each org got paid so much money from the champs bundle it's actually nutty. They could of done the same thing, champ bundles, and then org skins. Reward skill, dedication, good staffing, and the players. Not some board of shareholders with a fucking esport emblem on their lambo because they cried to riot that if their team can't make it to masters or champs they are losing money.

#33

Alova02

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Then how u want them to start off with Franchising? Instantly choose team they like and give no new orgs any chance? The players and orgs both know that valorant was franchise, and riot can't just announced how many slots Is allocated for each region since they themselves aren't sure of which org is suitable

#37

SatanLovesYou

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I mean I'd want them never to franchise and doing riot supported, or contracted LAN circuits like CSGO. It's the biggest FPS esport for a reason. And there is a reason why OW, Halo, and CoD don't have even close to it's number. If they had announced franchising before the esport scene had started for val, I would of at least been able to simply not get invested into the scene. Or have my heart broken when the team I love and follow has to split up over stupid fucking business decisions.

#40

Alova02

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They did mentioned that franchise was their route at the start tho? Maybe not the very start but since last year we knew franchising was on the table. Also while I enjoy watching CS I prefer riot way of eSports for the simple sake of actual international competition. Look at C's, there's so little structure for T2 and lower that csgo is basically only a Europe and somewhat Brazil game, it's nearly nonexistent eSports wise everywhere else. Val Franchising made it so that every region there's actual supporters and teams that can compete, look at this year vct with how riot have already controlled the scene, there's team from APAC finishing top 3 every tourney, SA making magic happen through LOUD and LEV, and ofc NA and EU.

#41

SatanLovesYou

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Yeah, you're not wrong. I got tired with CS because it's not truly an international esport, and I've been looking forward to each international event. I'd even say franchising wasn't that bad of an idea for me until well, they rewarded optic as a team, the most consistent, and arguable the best valorant team to ever exist, with being forced to split after an amazing year.

I've gone from anger to just sad. I just don't get how they could pick EG up and do that to Optic... even if it was an org being denied, they should of forced EG to sign the whole team. I'll never see those 5 on the server together again, and knowing how much they liked playing for Optic, and Optic's history, I can only assume that Riot was playing favorites or holding some OLD ass shit over that org.

#42

Alova02

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Honestly I understand you, I was surprised myself optic got shafted, though I understand g2 and fpx not getting in

We don't know what happened behind the scenes, it could easily be optic mistake that cost them the spot like look at Crazy Racoons, arguably the most famous Japanese org was rejected due to paperwork problems.

Also another thing but it seems even if given next year optic is in franchising, the team won't stay together as u can already see Victor and crashes leaving while the other trio are staying tgt

#49

zeleus

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who did you support in vct 2021 ??

#54

SatanLovesYou

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100T, not that I hate Sen or anything, but I've known Nadeshot and the Optic guys for most of my life.

#36

charizard_123

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The champions money is going mostly to the players within most orgs, and even if it didn't, it wouldnt' even cover half of what it takes to run a tier1 valorant team in NA/emea. And let's ignore the fact that the champs money is only going to 16 teams anyway, so the tier2 scene are getting fucked anyways. I guarantee you not a single org has turned a profit from valorant asides from like 1 or 2 tier2 player sellers. But sure, let's go the csgo route, the clearly profitable esports for organizations https://www.dexerto.com/csgo/cloud9-reveal-they-lose-millions-of-dollars-on-csgo-every-year-1317305/
And the players knew too btw, let's not act like riot is forcing them to do anything they don't want to

#5

symbols07

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Lol what happened to optic is really sad but other than them no one really deserved to stay as a 5. Zekken and cryo can easily replicate what they did under good leadership. Even a team like fpx are better off seperately. This was bound to happen, the only unfortunate thing was g2 being declined leading into one less na team

#6

h9zard

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The only shit move they made was not announcing the proper number of slots before. But nothing else.

Atleast the majority of those players you mentioned will make it to the league. Its just unknown right now.

#20

SatanLovesYou

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I really hope so, at the same time I feel like it's so up in the air this might make some really good players just completely retire if they are forced to find a tier 2 ascension team and slave away there for a year just at a chance at competing.

#24

h9zard

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The top top talents from all the teams that didnt get in will be picked up for sure. The only worry is maybe less deserving talents still on the teams that made it gatekeeping better ones. But thats also a short term worry, they will eventually get replaced.

Also I have a feeling Ascension is going to be much more higher quality than people are expecting. it won't be so terrible for players to grind it out.

#31

SatanLovesYou

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If it's all going to be online, with low production and b tier casters and no watch parties... it's not going to be getting that much viewership. That being said the format for ascension is at least fair and skill based, so for the sake of young players and unknowns I hope it is a good experience and actually fun for viewers to occasionally tune into.

#34

h9zard

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Its just Challengers thats online I think. How are Brazilian teams and NA teams going to play together online? And there is a direct promotion to the main league I dont think its going to be taken lightly.

#7

supr

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It's okay you are just coping with the lost of this original optic roster. But a year from now you'll realize it's not even that bad while you enjoy the best esports league in the world.

#8

symbols07

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The guard faze and xset aren't a good 5, these are the team's that will really benefit, as they'll get better teammates overall instead of settling for average ones.

#9

supr

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And besides, T2 teams now have a chance to compete with huge names like TSM/V1/GUARD etc.. The viewership for both T1 and T2 scene would be equally huge.

#10

I_HATE_MCE

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All the EMEA bozos saying ‘cope’ cause they have 10 slots despite being complete dogshit all year💀 lucky that Riot has an EU boner

#12

charizard_123

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cope

#13

I_HATE_MCE

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NA owns you even with half the amount of teams 💀 nothing to be proud of it’s actually just embarrassing

#15

charizard_123

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cope

#14

supr

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Dog shit all year with 3 major trophies and consistent top 5 placings?

#16

I_HATE_MCE

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Bros really talking about Acend and gambit like they haven’t been irrelevant trash for a year💀

#19

6vine

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That also makes 50% of your trophies irrelevant 💀

#23

I_HATE_MCE

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Idc about SEN lol. EU nerds always talking about trophies as if NA hasn’t outperformed you all year 💀

#11

AcePro

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It's a harsh reality but if we want the prize pool to be bigger, franchising is the only way they could make that happen.

#26

SatanLovesYou

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Not true, champions skin bundle.... Look at CS with sticker, or Dota. Riot is never going to put a flat sum down that's going to be bigger then what can be earned from community support.

#17

number1_ScreaM_fan

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Nah franchsiing is a win so much more lan events means much better games

#25

SatanLovesYou

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Idk why franchising = more LAN events... literally they could of hosted the leagues this year at LAN, for whatever reason riot didn't want to. CSGO has a super healthy LAN scene from multiple organizers so it's not like Riot couldn't of contracted it out if it was too much work for them too. Now we get melted down scenes, that had nothing to do with actual skill, just whatever orgs riot are buddy buddy with. While also having no promise that the best are going to be selected for these teams that made it.

Orgs could set stupid buyout prices over spite for contracted players... then what happens when players stop trying or fall off? Riot made it clear you can't poach ascension teams, and the ascension league is the only part of the whole new VCT that's only skill based, and not clout based. Franchising is ass, no esport has had good franchising.

#32

Alova02

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League has though? Lck is franchise, lec is also franchise and both are pulling in great views, the only anomaly is NA LCS where u can see riot is trying to avoid by how they approach franchising where instead of buy-in franchise it's a riot choose franchise where riot ofc won't let orgs monopolize the league without actually putting in effort or recruiting the best players that can be offered. And orgs can set high buyout price but by doing so, they lose all brand reputation and recognition which would hurt the org more than you think.

Franchising is a thorny road, it can make an eSports become great or destroy it like the OWL, it all depends on the game developers to control it

#21

Dybala21

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No matter how good the roster is, if the org is not good enough you ain't make it bud

#27

Mortadelo

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This is the worst reason I’ve ever heard of why franchising is bad lmaoooo

“Riot hid it” Omg dude this is a Riot game wtf did you expect was gonna happen, Giants CEO was saying they knew this was gonna happen since the very moment they joined the game 2 years ago. Still, Riot announced it as soon as the process started when else would they do it, they canuannounce something they don’t know how is gonna be yet, and same with the orgs how are they supposed to announce earlier if they were deciding, there were changes until the very last day look at G2

“People without job” Guess what now all the best players want to go to 5 teams so you will have 5 super teams and only the people that deserves it will be on top, but no, they don’t lose their jobs there is a fucking VRL like for every fucking one else which is gonna be great this is not even a closed circuit. You’re talking like if Tier 2 NA players rn even without league and just with NSG didn’t fucking get 10k a month

Stop crying dude not a single one of your arguments makes sense, please I understand your grief but it hasn’t even started yet how can you say all this lol, chill out

#35

SatanLovesYou

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Why wouldn't it of been considered that they go the CSGO route with tournament organizers and Riot sponsored events? Every single FPS franchise league in esports sucks ass and is pretty much dead, OW, CoD, Halo. It's never successful. I'll agree that riot at least has a better format for franchise then they do but there is no guarantee that these super teams will even be made, or that all the players are deserving of a spot. Just like riot has favoritism, the team could simply reject more then qualified candidates based on beef, or that it would replace a favored son of an org.

Nah, I get to cry. I followed a team for a whole year of my life, every single match. Fell in love with them in and out of the server, and to watch them forced to split because of this stupid shit. It makes me hate riot so much I feel like I'm torn between supporting the players I cared so much about on their new teams, or supporting this shitty fucking mega corporation. Yeah I'm crying, big sadge, broken heart. They didn't deserve this fate.

#51

Mortadelo

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I'm not saying orgs knew this was gonna happen i'mm saying if they didn't know it was a possibility they are dumb

Not all franchising in esports sucks dude, LOL is the most viewed esport in the world for a reason and our system is even better, we call it franchising but it's actually not even franchising, clubs don't even own spots the only thing this has about franchising is the name.

Dude I'm a G2 fan, I'm in the same position that you are or even worse cause we were actually in, and no we didn't miss franchising because of favoritism, we missed it cause we fucked up, Riot considered that made having G2 more prejudicial than beneficial.

You do have the right to cry but don't pay it with the format cause it's actually the best they could have done

#58

Mememeister1

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I love vlr again no more based takes just braindead takes that you can laugh at

#28

firo

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are NA orgs really blindsided about the franchising stuff when there’s a literal franchise in another riot game, through lcs? orgs fielded these teams in the first place to hopefully get into franchising, i always thought that was their goal so they entered the scene.

#43

Mortadelo

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Ofc, maybe you didn’t necessarily know 100% but there’s no business man dumb enough not to know it was a very likely option

#30

ChubbyChoob

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Franchising in LoL is bad, franchising in Val in 3 or 4 more years will be great (with extend of the League, each league will have 4 fully opened slots or even more). I even think Riot won't limit 10 fixed slot + 4 opened slots in the future if Val become much more popular like LoL. I understand people upset angry atm because lot of teams /countries got left out but I have high hope in long term/future of Val Esport

#44

Mortadelo

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They basically got all the good things about LOL franchising and fixed the bad ones

#38

titanwithpp

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Are you sure its franchising or you took something else in your mouth?

#39

SatanLovesYou

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Sure did, your moms thick pussy lips. Tell her to shower more for me.

#45

bbydrix

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u just mad cos FLOPtic got obliterated

#46

maxi447

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bro why are you crying? you’re complaining about seeing the best players on new teams play eachother regularly while all the paycheck stealers get booted? smh

#55

SatanLovesYou

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I'll wait and see, the only lineup worth anything as is is 100T, maybe Sen if they are actually taking shit serious again.

#47

e1s

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I know you're mad cause your favourite team didn't make it but.

It's a partnership not franchising riot chose the teams they want to partner with its that simple nothing to do with skill. If someone had a better presentation for riot so they were chosen.
Players that are good at the game will be in the league its that simple.
The ascension league is essentially just like the vct qualifiers but orgs actually get more benefits than just making another qualifier for 1 lan, they get paid, more fans and apart of thr league for 2 years valorant has only been out for 2 years and it grew this much.

#48

Ullyr

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Everyone entering valorant into he beginning knew franchising would be a thing. That's why it go such insane hype in the first place.

#50

inSEBtion

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I agree. This whole thing destroyed competitive Valorant for me.
Literally zero motivation to watch it in the future, nor even playing it..
Riot always was a company that focused a lot on money. And franchising gives them a shit ton of money.
Therefore this move could have been expected, but hope dies last...and in the end it dies.

#57

frappzlul

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yea its just gonna feel fake and scripted in a way for next year :sob:

#52

wohe

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why? did it cum in it or smth?

#53

Mememeister1

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cope seethe MALD

#56

SatanLovesYou

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not wrong, RIP optic, rip xset.

#59

kbkdark

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name checks out

#60

Zerphyr1

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u still salty?

#61

anay

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bro why did u try eating it.you know its inedible obv it will have a bad taste