The new format not only improves the enjoyment and topicality of the game, but also avoids aesthetic fatigue through the global BP mode, breaking the situation that a few strong heroes have occupied the game for a long time.
Text: Huang Jingyuan
On April 24, the LPL tournament officially announced that a new regular season format will be launched from the 2024 LPL Summer Tournament. The regular season is officially divided into four stages, which are the draw group, the group match, the group match and the place grabbing match.
Among them, the final group match will be conducted using the dreadnought recruitment mode. This comprehensive and in-depth reform initiative has aroused widespread attention and heated discussions among players, and the BP mode of fearless recruitment is highly anticipated.
Frankly speaking, this format adjustment is essentially a subversive reshaping of the traditional model of the Spring Season, and its far-reaching changes can be described as earth-shattering. Back in 2021, the LPL format underwent a major overhaul, when the number of playoff spots was expanded from 8 to 10, and a double-elimination format was introduced.
Regarding the restructuring of the LPL Summer Tournament, Sun Zheng, head of the LPL ecosystem, said: "Regarding the planning of the competition system and global BP, since the second half of 2022, we have actively tried in the second-tier league. We had ample upfront communication with most clubs and promoters, and we did a lot of internal coordination. The aim is to improve the competitiveness of the teams, inject more vitality into the league, and create more development opportunities for the middle and lower teams. ”
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After three years, the system was restructured again, and the global BP was launched
The draw for this tournament will divide the 17 teams into four seeding pools based on the results of the Spring Split. On the premise of following the principle of circumvention, the four teams with the home stadium will be assigned to four different groups A, B, C, and D through the drawing of lots. The other teams will then be drawn to determine their groupings, ensuring that each group contains teams from four seeded pools, thus maintaining a fair and competitive competition.
In the following group rounds, a BO3 double round-robin format will be adopted to clarify the rankings within each group. The bottom two teams from each group will advance to Group B, while the remaining nine top-ranked teams will advance to Group A. It is worth noting that the group match adopts a special format, namely the Dreadnought Draft mode, also known as the global BP.
In this mode, the heroes that have been selected by the same team in a single round of BO3 will not be able to be used again, which is undoubtedly a big test of the player's hero pool and team tactics. If the player's hero pool is shallow, they may face the risk of being targeted by the opponent, which will affect the outcome of the game. Despite this, the requirements for players are relatively relaxed due to the fact that the group competition is in a BO3 format.
Regarding the pros and cons of global BP, Sun Zheng said: "After in-depth study of the views of players and coaching clubs, we found that their supportive attitude is the majority. In addition, we have taken note of the feedback from the audience that we should make some changes. ”
"From a player's perspective, many players feel that their hero options are wide enough and want to use this opportunity to show off their abilities. In contrast, when LDL was adopted, the coaches did have a lot of pressure at first, but after a while, they got used to it, and everyone thought it was still feasible. ”
This is followed by an intra-group stage, which adopts a competitive call-up mode. After completing the single-round robin BO3 in Group A and Group B, the bottom four teams in Group B will prepare directly for the 2025 season, while the top seven teams in Group A will successfully secure a playoff spot. Among them, the top two teams will directly qualify for the repechage, while the six teams in the middle will enter the next stage of the competition for positions.
The tie-up stage also adopts the competitive recruitment mode, which is conducted in a BO5 single-elimination format. Six teams will face off in pairs for the final three playoff spots. This steal-game format is similar to the NBA play-offs, and is designed to provide opportunities for teams that are close to advancing to the playoffs, and this innovative idea has been recognized and supported by a wide range of fans.
Most fans are optimistic about the major changes to the format this time. The new format not only improves the enjoyment and topicality of the game, but also avoids aesthetic fatigue through the global BP mode, breaking the situation that a few strong heroes have occupied the game for a long time, which undoubtedly injects new vitality and expectations into the entire event.
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The new format will help clubs make positive changes
The impact of the new format hasn't been fully felt yet, but the initial effects are already impressive. With the introduction of Dreadnought, we expect to see a revolution in the world of esports. This new format is expected to alleviate some of the problems that exist in the current esports competition, which is that some heroes have too many appearances and relatively few game changes. This will undoubtedly bring higher spectacle and suspense to the event.
In the current esports tournaments, some heroes have become the first choice of players due to the powerful performance and unique skill sets conferred by the version. As a result, the diversity of heroes in the game is limited, and the audience's expectations and interest in the game are gradually reduced. The introduction of the Dreadnought Draft model is expected to break this deadlock. This mode encourages players to experiment with different hero combinations in a match to find the best strategic match. This will allow for a more diverse selection of heroes in the tournament and more tactical variations.
Sun Zheng said: "Statistics show that in the past esports events, the appearance rate of some heroes is indeed too high. This made the game relatively monotonous, and the enthusiasm of the audience for the event gradually decreased. The introduction of the Dreadnought Draft model is expected to change that. This mode will allow for a more diverse selection of heroes and more tactical variations. This will bring a more exciting game experience to the audience, and enhance the spectacle and attractiveness of the event. ”
The introduction of Dreadnought Draft will have a profound impact on the esports scene. By increasing the variety of hero choices and the richness of tactical variations, the mode is expected to make the event more enjoyable and engaging. At the same time, providing opportunities for unpopular heroes to appear will help attract more gamers to the event and promote the close integration of esports events and the game itself.
Sun Zheng emphasized: "This new tournament system aims to motivate players and coaches to further enrich their tactical reserves, improve the adaptability of hero selection and BP strategy. These are all integral parts of their duties. I understand that the promotion process may involve changes to the coaching staff or the opinions of fans, but these factors are not the difference between success and failure. The key to the selection of coaches is their performance in daily training and decision-making related to the game. This pressure is always there, and it can't be eliminated without changing the format. Therefore, we must create a better competitive environment for players and coaches through reforms to promote the sustainable development of the entire event. ”
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LPL reform is imminent
The LPL needs to reform the format.
These reforms have undoubtedly injected new vitality into the league and brought new challenges to the participating teams. The new format is not only a test of the team's strength, but also of their adaptability and innovative spirit. In such an environment, teams must evolve to stand out from the competition.
Looking back on the past, the LPL has undergone many changes in the format. Each change makes the game more exciting and suspenseful. This format not only makes the game more enjoyable, but also makes the team's preparation more challenging.
Sun Zheng said: "I am deeply pleased that there is an important consensus between our clubs. In order to achieve the common goals of the club, we need to work together and work together. In daily training matches, clubs try out a variety of methods and strategies, and while these efforts may not be obvious to the spectators or sometimes not even shown in the game, they are essential to improving our game. If not displayed and shared, these valuable experiences and attempts can be invisible, which will affect the competitiveness of our club in the league as a whole. ”
"Therefore, we have taken a relatively fair measure to encourage everyone to share their new discoveries and strategies in training and competitions. This will not only improve our individual capabilities, but also help promote the ecological development of the entire alliance. I strongly believe that from a club perspective, this move will have a positive impact on the level of competition and the ecology of the entire league. ”
Of course, the new format also brings more possibilities. Under the new format, some of the new teams and dark horse players have more opportunities to show what they are capable of. They can earn more attention and support through their outstanding performances, laying a solid foundation for their careers.
In short, the reform of the LPL format has injected new vitality into the league and brought new challenges to the teams. As Sun Zheng said: "Our goal is first and foremost to hope that the audience can enjoy more exciting games and feel the excitement and passion. At the same time, we are very much looking forward to receiving feedback from our audience as it is important to us. ”
Note: The images used in this article are from LPL