[LJL] The LJL play-offs lull state, and how it affects the region
It isn’t convenient, far from convenient if I’d had to say, but unfortunately it had to be done. Due to the COVID-19 virus, round two of the Spring LJL play-offs has been postponed for at least two months.
From today, the last LJL match that has been played has already been nearly a month ago. Whilst every region in the world plays their matches through the tournament realm, the Japanese region stays silent. It is very interesting how the lull is affecting the LJL in general, with international events planned around the block.
In this article I will explain the effects of the COVID-19 lull state in the LJL play-offs, and how it could have many implications going forward for the LJL competition in the future.
The lull state
So why is there a lull state? Well, due to the COVID-19 virus, the players cannot play in their own stadium — The Yoshimoto Mugendai Hall — and are forced to play at home or at their gaming houses. However, that should be the usual procedure which hasn’t happened (yet) in the LJL. All of the play-offs matches so far have been played in the stadium, and it doesn’t look like it is going to change any time soon with the deadline of the third round coming closer and closer. We have to ask ourselves: Will the remaining play-offs and finals matches being held online?
The negative state
Now the thing that worries me the most is the lack of play and patch understanding for the Japanese teams. The first two rounds have been played on the patch 10.5 version, which launched more than a month ago. Right now we are heading towards patch 10.8, and when the LJL play-offs will resume it should be 10.9 or 10.10 to which we are playing on. The worrying thing is that the LJL either has to play on 10.5 version, which all of the play-offs happened or it will make an exemption to the rules which never happened in a play-offs tournament in the world.
No team, except for Japanese teams will scrim on the 10.5 version. No player wants to play on a reverse 10.5 patch where they have to unlearn stuff. Solo queue is not on 10.5, your understanding of the game will be reversed too. All and all a mess if the 10.5 patch is an reality.
The future state
Lets all hope that the COVID-19 situation gets resolved in the world. I completely understand the stances that the Japanese government takes with COVID-19. I have all the respect for the medics around the world that are fighting for the horrible virus. There are more important things than League of Legends in the world, saving lives is more important than continuing a competitive event.
However we have the fortune that we are an esport. Whereas other sports have to cancel, our tournament can be hosted online, even without delayed circumstances. We know it isn’t possible to have a fantastic ending finals, we know it isn’t feasible to have players together with a lot of celebrating fans. With how the situation looks right now, the remaining schedule should be held online.
Also waiting for the return of the LJL? Tune into the next LJL match!
Interested in the LJL? Come and watch the next LJL broadcast either on the official Japanese broadcast or the English broadcast! Sadly enough the broadcast has been postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak in the world. However, a return date has already been planned by the LJL!
On the 3rd of May, the LJL will return with round three of the play-offs. Starting on 6AM CEST, DetonatioN FocusMe will play against V3 Esports in a stunning best of five series. Be sure to watch the game!
Join our LJL English Discord to discuss and learn even more about the LJL!
I hope you had a wonderful read about The growth of the LJL, and why you should watch it! And on every Thursday I will post an new article which features various things about the LJL as well. So stay tuned!
