One of the most controversial issues at MSI 2022 is Riot’s handling of the Royal Never Give Up case. Specifically, the LPL representatives originally intended to withdraw from the tournament due to China’s strict pandemic regulations and the congested schedule they faced. However, Riot eventually decided to allow RNG to compete online, with all teams having to cope with a latency level equal to that of RNG, which was set at 35.
However, problems arose from this situation. Many players claimed that a ping of 35 significantly affected their performance. Additionally, teams like DetonatioN FocusMe and T1 also hinted that the ping was higher than the 35 level Riot had previously stated. As for RNG, they were heavily criticized for the “three no’s”: no referees, no close-up cameras, and no headsets.
Recently, Riot made another controversial move by announcing the cancellation of all RNG’s results from the previous three matches and adjusting the configurations to ensure the matches adhere to the 35 ping standard. This is truly a highly contentious decision and an inadequate handling of a situation that Riot initially arranged for RNG to participate online.
Immediately, a wave of angry comments flooded Riot’s Twitter post about the incident. On Weibo, the LPL community also expressed their frustration. Notably, RNG players all shared posts featuring the balance symbol, which many speculate could be a sarcastic take on Riot’s motto of fairness for all.
In this incident, it can be said that all teams, including RNG, are now “victims” of Riot. The LPL representatives now find themselves in a dilemma, facing condemnation whether they withdraw from the tournament or continue playing. Meanwhile, other teams are also encountering numerous complications, and no one can be sure that the issues have been thoroughly resolved. With such unreasonable decisions, Riot is likely turning MSI 2022 into the worst MSI in the history of this tournament and League of Legends in general.