VALORANT Professional Tier 2 Faces Criticism
Since today, the professional esports scene has divided into multiple tiers, with the highest tier being comprised of teams competing in major national and international tournaments. This tier is also the most prestigious and has the highest visibility for every esports team. However, to reach this level is not easy, and many teams struggle to compete at lower tiers in the esports landscape. Consequently, lower-tier competitions often face criticism, such as the recent controversies surrounding the LDL.
According to Sean Gares, a coach for the VALORANT team 100 Thieves, the criticism is directed at the matchmaking system for tier 2 and 3 competitions within the VALORANT professional circuit. Additionally, this situation remains ambiguous and public, with no one addressing the issue. Sean’s information was supported by Mr. Funhaver (Founder of the North American tournament circuit).
According to Sean Gares, there are issues beyond just matchmaking, which have affected several teams’ rankings in tournaments. Riot employees have also been criticized for not addressing these behaviors. The 100 Thieves coach mentioned that many players are suspected of using hacks or cheats. Moreover, several teams currently competing in these tier 2-3 tournaments are looking for ways to “withdraw” due to increasing operational costs.
The underlying reason Sean pointed out is that tier 2 competitions do not receive sufficient support from Riot, which can affect teams’ sustainability. There is controversy surrounding these issues, but the financial constraints are undeniable. Other game publishers also do not invest adequately in lower-tier competitions, as seen with League of Legends – Riot’s flagship title.
The esports community is concerned about VALORANT’s situation, but Riot remains silent
Before these allegations emerged, the esports community was quite confused. However, at this moment, it is mainly the information coming from the 100 Thieves coach. Riot has not officially responded, and Sean Gares also lacks additional information to clarify the situation. Therefore, any public opinion should be approached with caution, as it may impact the current professional VALORANT scene significantly.
