It can be said that VCS Spring 2023 is one of the most tumultuous seasons in the Vietnamese League of Legends scene. Firstly, there was the takeover and re-release of League of Legends in Vietnam by Riot, followed by the reboot of the VCS tournament. Next, we saw the progress of SBTC Esports with the addition of coach Ren and ADC Slayder. Other teams have also undergone significant changes, creating one of the most dynamic VCS seasons in the history of the tournament.
Of course, this tournament has also captured the interest of former players, KOLs, and influential figures in the League of Legends community. Recently, Optimus – one of the most renowned former players in VCS – published a lengthy post sharing his observations about the recently concluded VCS Spring tournament. Notably, many of Optimus’s comments pointedly highlighted the issues that VCS and the teams and players are facing.
The first target Optimus aimed at was the robust media presence of the famous teams. According to the former GAM star, creating engaging content is their job and responsibility. However, Optimus suggested that editing internal meeting clips of the teams to attract attention could negatively impact the players. He advised players to take initiative in protecting themselves from content that might cause negative effects.
Moreover, this type of content is also supported by the VCS organizers. Optimus cited his own experience when the incident “Push the tower for me” from years ago was released on media channels despite him having resisted it beforehand. He stated that while creating content is not wrong, it should avoid affecting the psychology and tactics of the teams and players.
Additionally, Optimus dedicated a significant portion of his content to highlighting the weaknesses of the players and teams. He emphasized communication, stating that current players have regressed in their communication styles, which tend to be lengthy but lack important information. The former GAM star noted that the communication skills of VCS players are clearly declining, and despite being a team game, many individuals tend to take on their teammates’ responsibilities as well. Furthermore, Optimus expressed that the champion pool of VCS players is quite limited. He asserted that players tend to observe how others play in different regions and learn from them without truly understanding the champions.
However, the most controversial point was Optimus’s assertion that players are resting too much if they do not qualify for the international tournament (specifically MSI 2023). Meanwhile, GAM’s participation in MSI 2023 would allow them to gain more experience and lessons. With this argument, many fans claimed it is the players’ right to rest. According to several opinions, if GAM were in the same situation, they might still allow their players to take a break.
– “A bit long but very insightful, thanks to Optimus for speaking frankly”
– “A bit concerning about the players’ rest, but isn’t that their right?”
– “Long but if read carefully, it makes sense”
– “I wonder when VCS will have another Optimus.”
Optimus’s observations have generated mixed reactions. However, it is clear that the points the former GAM star shared are worth considering. This perspective is something that the players, teams, and VCS organizers themselves will have to provide the most accurate answers to.