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The VCT EMEA has faced significant technical challenges recently, culminating in a match day being entirely canceled as players were held on stage for hours due to persistent issues.
Riot Games extended their apologies in response to the widespread dissatisfaction, but many prominent players and former competitors voiced their concerns, asserting that the equipment provided was inadequate and that the supposed LAN environment did not meet standards, particularly as players were experiencing a 30 ping.
Amid these issues, noted Twitch streamer and co-owner of Movistar KOI, Ibai, announced his intention to boycott the league until necessary improvements are made, withdrawing his team from the playoffs.
This action is significant, albeit somewhat tongue-in-cheek, since KOI had not qualified for the playoffs. Nonetheless, the gesture highlights the ongoing controversy affecting the EMEA league. Kameto, another influential figure in the esports community, will not be co-streaming the event, which could lead to a substantial decrease in viewership for Riot.
Valorant’s EMEA League Boycotted by Karmine Corp’s Owner
Following Ibai’s mock announcement, other teams that did not make it to the playoffs expressed their solidarity in a light-hearted manner, poking fun at Riot while also making humorous remarks about their own situations.
So far, no team actively competing in the playoffs has chosen to join the boycott, although some are engaging in playful commentary on social media. Team Liquid, one of the teams affected by the technical delays on April 25, shared memes, including an image of Ben Affleck appearing to smoke in frustration, as a way to cope with the lengthy interruptions.
However, a prominent voice making a stand is Kameto. He stated, “I won’t cast VCTs anymore until they fix their issues. We shouldn’t be taken for a ride like this.” Given that Karmine Corp shares the frustrations faced by Team Liquid during these incidents, Kameto’s stance is understandable.
Boycotting matches can lead to fines or even expulsion from the league, which could be financially detrimental given the value of franchise slots. Nevertheless, Kameto’s decision to pause his co-stream rather than stage a full boycott remains a significant gesture that stays within contractual boundaries.
Thus, while some boycott actions, such as Ibai’s, are primarily comedic in nature, there is substantial criticism taking place, particularly from Kameto. His considerable audience and the passionate support for Karmine Corp could amplify the call for Riot to address these pressing concerns.
Source
www.dexerto.com