日前據 ESPN 公布的消息指出 LCS EU 賽區將劃分為四個地區:倫敦、巴黎、柏林、巴塞隆納,每個賽區將會擁有六支隊伍,共 24 支隊伍,並會參考 NA LCS 新制,這些隊伍會得到特許經營,暫不用擔心降級問題。
而這些隊伍會獲得可以進行一定年份的參賽許可證,具體的時間與場地仍無消息,而各個賽區內的前兩名隊伍將能晉級聯盟賽,第三、第四名隊伍將參加入圍賽,第五、第六名隊伍則是進行外圍賽,聯盟賽將有 16 支隊伍,並將分為小組賽以及雙淘汰季後賽制,整體賽事制度類似歐洲的足球比賽;現有的十支 EU 戰隊將於近期宣布他們的歸屬區域,而 Riot 也正在為新聯賽招募隊伍。
》公開信內容
作為一個在運動、娛樂產業裡待了近十年的人,我認為我有必要闡述一些想法,雖然我對全盤細節不甚清楚,但我會就我所聽到以及看到的來表達,當然這都是我的個人意見,僅此而已。儘管我認為 EU 即將執行的多賽區計畫並非明智之舉,但我還是希望看到他成功,如此能有益於遊戲〈英雄聯盟〉以及所有參與其中的人。
每一個隊伍都想著能從獲利中分一杯羹,而不是去想著該如何讓賽事制度變得更加穩定,分裂一個本來就算不上強的賽區〈EU〉,如此一來只會使賺到的錢變得更少,同時也讓支持 EU 的粉絲喪失興趣。說真的,人們都想看到更好、更強的 LCS 隊伍,你們卻不是讓原有的弱隊得到更多資源,而是想要創造更多弱的隊伍,眾多的選手人才也無法變得更強,去進步以製造更強力的競爭。
要記住一點,電子競技還在新生階段、非常地年輕,很多家庭仍然認為電子競技沒有前途,寧可讓孩子們去一些較傳統、看似有前途的行業,也使得許多有天份的玩家無法被看見,而我們也沒有專門的學院或者是學校來培育電競選手,不同於傳統運動〈例如足球〉;除此之外,這項決定只會吸引更小的廠商〈代表更少的錢〉來贊助賽事,多數的大贊助商會希望資金能夠到北美以獲得最大化的廣告效果,歐洲絕不會是贊助的重點。
1. 提升隊伍,並幫助他們賺錢。允許隊伍在線上商店銷售周邊商品,像是戰隊服、帽子等等,或者是創造一些隊伍造型、頭像,由 Riot 拿取少部份獲利,剩下的給隊伍。
2. 給隊伍 EU LCS 的股份,讓他們和你們有相同的目標,也許能夠計畫一個徵召系統〈選秀〉,讓弱的隊伍在適當的淘汰與徵召之下也會有強力新血,不會一直積弱不振。
3. 不要過度將電子競技想成等同於一般傳統運動,雖然他們的確在某種程度上是相關的,但電子競技已經擺脫以對抗文化為底的傳統運動;也別讓大家認為電子競技只是行銷活動的延伸,利益自然會來的,只要有耐心,別讓電子競技衰亡。
4. 太多的贊助資金一下子蜂擁而入,容易使得產業泡沫化,扼殺了電子競技產業的大好光景,投資者一旦發現賺不到錢,就會馬上抽身,而新的投資者再度入場並陷入同樣的循環,直到沒有人想要再投資隊伍,隊伍就會破產、解散,而遊戲與比賽所賺得的利益也不足以支持整個電子競技產業,這一切發生得很迅速,必須被重視。
原文
"1. Promote your teams and help them make money. Allow teams to sell merchandise like jerseys or hats at the studio and through an online shop. Sell skins, icons, etc… Riot can take a small cut, the rest goes to teams.
2. Give teams part ownership in the league itself so that their interests align and they all work towards a common goal to further increase exposure and support. This eliminates relegation, and at the same time allows room for expansion tournaments from time to time. Perhaps initiate a draft system for players, so that every so often older players will exit, and a weaker team will become strong with proper drafts.
3. Let this scene grow organically and stop associating it with traditional sports so much. Yes, they are related to some extent, but this industry is its own monster that has risen out of a counter culture to traditional sports, and is now making waves. You have the leverage, don't give it up to the bigger scene who just sees it as an extension to their marketing activities. The money will come with time. Be patient. You have something cool with potential to be long lasting. Don’t let it go stale and die. Don’t let this become a fad that turns uncool.
4. The industry is being hyper inflated by investors. This inflation is causing a bubble which may kill the scene. Once investors realize they are making no money, they will pull out. New ones will come, they will realize the same, and they will pull out as well. One day, no one will want to invest any further. At that time, teams will be going bankrupt left and right. There is just not enough income from the actual games and tournaments to sustain this industry at the moment. It has blown up too quickly; time to scale back a little."
▼ 給選手
你們的薪水實在太高了,但這並不是你的錯,不過要知道當有一天沒有人願意再投資的時候,戰隊將會破產,不要談高薪了,你可是會連工作都沒有了,電競產業沒落,再也沒有選手。而德國政府稅收太高也令人愛莫能助,也許 Riot 該從德國抽身離開。我沒辦法責怪你尋求市場價值,但至少要看遠一點以確保長久的成功,該起身組一個屬於選手的工會、捍衛自己的權利。
原文
"Your salaries are way too high. This is not your fault. Go get that money as long as people are willing to pay it, but the reality is that it is draining the teams, causing them to seek so many investors and sell themselves out. What happens when the money runs out and teams start going bankrupt? You lose your jobs, the scene fails, and there will be no future gamers.
It doesn’t help that Germany takes half of your income, either. Maybe Riot should move out of Germany.
I can’t blame you for seeking market value, but perhaps, collectively, we could be smart and scale back for long term success. Organize and defend your interests. Stop being lazy. This is business, not your parents' house."
▼ 給戰隊〈不是每一個隊伍,有些是例外〉
你們總是抱怨獲利問題、缺乏適當贊助等等,我也深知不容易,但是隊伍品牌以及品牌的行銷活動非常糟,大部份的隊伍只不過是在社群網站的粉絲團和 LCS 例行賽出戰時畫面上有個 logo 而已,絕大多數的貼文都千篇一律,不外乎報告戰事結束,記得收看下一場比賽並購買周邊來支持我們戰隊等等,並沒有吸引到贊助廠商,讓他們有興趣贊助,也沒有試著為自身創造更多的收益,絕大多數的戰隊更沒有隊伍粉絲,幾乎都是選手個人的粉絲,當選手離隊時,戰隊同時也失去了粉絲。
去做一些會吸引人目光的事情吧!必須得做出一些內容上的改變,吸引屬於戰隊的粉絲,讓他們對於「戰隊」感到渴望,製造讓人們一穿上戰隊象徵衣物就光榮、驕傲的氛圍,戰隊擁有遠超出你們想像的市場潛力。別太貪心,你們每一位都依靠著這個行業而活,不齊心合作的話,最後大家什麼都沒有。
原文
"You complain about revenue, lack of proper sponsorships, and more... and I feel your pain. But your brands and branding activities are poor. Most of you exist as a logo on a social media page and on the LCS screens the day you play.
You post nothing interesting for a brand to want to sponsor you, let alone attract audience attention. The generic posts of "oh we had a close game against blah blah, we will be stronger next week/buy our stuff from the merch shop/check out game highlights" doesn't cut it. You have no vision, and frankly, are boring. You do not seek to create new/additional revenue streams to sustain yourself, and most of you have no fans of your own, just fans of your players that you will unfortunately lose when your players leave.
Go out and be creative. Create new content that will attract attention, convert fans, and make them hungry for more. Create an atmosphere where people are proud to wear your colors. Be innovators and pioneers. Your market and potential reach is much wider than you think."
原文
"You complain about revenue, lack of proper sponsorships, and more... and I feel your pain. But your brands and branding activities are poor. Most of you exist as a logo on a social media page and on the LCS screens the day you play.
You post nothing interesting for a brand to want to sponsor you, let alone attract audience attention. The generic posts of "oh we had a close game against blah blah, we will be stronger next week/buy our stuff from the merch shop/check out game highlights" doesn't cut it. You have no vision, and frankly, are boring. You do not seek to create new/additional revenue streams to sustain yourself, and most of you have no fans of your own, just fans of your players that you will unfortunately lose when your players leave.
Go out and be creative. Create new content that will attract attention, convert fans, and make them hungry for more. Create an atmosphere where people are proud to wear your colors. Be innovators and pioneers. Your market and potential reach is much wider than you think."
原文出處連結:【Former H2K Manager's letter to Riot, players, and EU teams】