Resulting from a choice by Riot Video games, the LCS 2024 will proceed with 8 groups, with Evil Geniuses and Golden Guardians leaving the league.
In a stunning flip of occasion, two distinguished groups of the North American League of Legends event will go away the scene – Golden Guardians and Evil Geniuses gained’t be part of the LCS anymore. The information was shared by John Needham, the President of Esports at Riot Video games on X/Twitter.
LCS 2024 Gained’t Have Evil Geniuses or Golden Guardians
The President defined that Riot Video games have deliberate to reshape the oldest league within the World, and whereas all of the groups have been dedicated to persevering with, Golden Guardians and Evil Geniuses will exit the scene on a mutual settlement. Johh Needham thanked GG and EG for the recollections they introduced for followers, however with 8 groups, the LCS can undergo the modifications it wants a lot simpler.
Residing Evil Doesn’t Pay
After the 2022 season, it was not possible to assume that Evil Geniuses can be out of the event not way more than a yr later. With the Affect – Impressed – jojopyun – Danny – Vulcan squad, EG gained the 2022 LCS Spring Playoffs, then completed the 2022 MSI within the prime 4. Whereas they couldn’t replicate the success, they appeared like they cemented their spot as a prime staff within the League.
Nonetheless, it got here to gentle that they mistreated their ADC, Danny, resulting in his early (and maybe not everlasting) retirement. The staff completed the common season of the 2023 LCS Summer season cut up in third place however couldn’t qualify for Worlds as they acquired knocked out by Workforce Liquid.
Guardians No Extra
Golden Guardians’ departure is much more heartbreaking. Whereas the LoL division of the NBA staff Golden State Warriors have struggled since their becoming a member of in 2018, they rose to the highest this yr. Golden Guardians completed second within the 2023 Spring Playoffs, then acquired to the highest 8 of the Mid-Season Invitational in London. In addition they made it to the final step earlier than the World Championship after ending 4th in Summer season, however couldn’t make it to Worlds after they acquired knocked out 0-3 by Workforce Bds within the Worlds Qualifying Sequence.
There have been some rumours and studies in regards to the monetary hardships of the group a couple of years again, however followers didn’t think about they would depart the LCS – a minimum of not like this.
LCS 2024 Replace – John Needham pic.twitter.com/CmnMmTfgxN
— LCS (@LCSOfficial) November 20, 2023
The LCS had a tough yr with having low viewership, for instance, the 2023 Summer season LCS cut up’s peak viewership was 1/seventh of the LCK’s Summer season Cut up. League of Legends esports is on a decline in North America, and Riot has been looking for a solution to the issue for years. Prior to now seasons they elevated the variety of groups that may take part within the Summer season Playoffs from 6 to eight, however that didn’t resolve the difficulty. Possibly with this modification they will get some hype again for the event.
The panorama of the LCS can be vastly completely different in 2024. TSM left the league earlier this yr, with Shopify Rebel shopping for their spot, and now two family names needed to exit as effectively – and that is solely the start. Keep tuned for extra modifications.