CLG

CMM 215: Social Media Is Not A Hivemind

Posted on by SonOfJan

But damn do people need to make up their minds.

After this Sunday’s NALCS finals between TSM and CLG, reddits was ablaze with opinions on the Doublelift vs. Stixxay argument.

Here are the facts:

  1. CLG parted ways with Doublelift before this split, citing it was best for team dynamic.
  2. Less than 24 hours later, TSM signed the star ad carry.
  3. CLG beat TSM 3-2 in the finals with Doublelifts replacement, Stixxay, out damaging his predecessor.

 

Now Reddit is in uproar. Saying Stixxay doesn’t deserve any credit for the victory, and how he didn’t contribute anything, save for the final team fight of the final game. (And yes apparently Reddit believes that sealing the deal for a finals victory, isn’t a big deal)

The fact of the matter is, you can frame anything anyway you want to. (Trust me, it’s how I’m able to convince people that I’m an asset to their lives.)

If TSM wins this series, you can bet that the hot topic would be how CLG was wrong for letting Doublelift go. Or, even better yet, they’d still be bashing Stixxay for not being better than who he replaced.

Yes, everyone is entititled to their opinions, but they shouldn’t let teenage fangirlisms blind them from the truth.

CMM 215: Riot Biased Against CLG?

Posted on by SonOfJan

The Reddit world has been abuzz these past couple of days, with allegations that Riot Games is showing bias against one of their LCS teams, Counter Logic Gaming.

For one thing,  many feel the pre-match hype video for Sunday’s “game of the week,” was incredibly focused on CLG’s opponent Cloud 9.  Cloud 9 and CLG are on relatively even footing in the standings, so the fact that one team was showcased more, is a bit odd.

Another odd circumstance, is after the game (CLG won) the customary post-match interview with a member of the winning team, in this case CLG’s Aphromoo, was cut short for an interview with a member of the losing team (C9’s Hai).  Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with getting a fresh take from the losing team (albeit might be a little awkward). But just know that the losing team rarely gets interviewed after LCS matches.

Here’s CLG’s owner, HotshotGG’s, reaction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY1H-6XScRM

CLG is one of the biggest and most historic teams in professional League of Legends history, so this perceived bias may just be one really unfortunate coincidence.  However, if it’s not, it’s really bad for everyone involved. If this bias is real, and proven, it’ll be an absolute PR nightmare for the company that produces the biggest video game in the world.  It also hurts CLG, because of the simple fact that publicity and personality equal more sponsors.  With less notoriety comes less social media buzz, and even less fans.  If Riot is intentionally snubbing CLG for whatever reason, they’re hurting them from a monetary perspective, which is completely unprofessional and unacceptable.

 

CLG Revamping Community/Social Media Presence (CMM 215)

Posted on by SonOfJan

Yesterday, Counter Logic Gaming CEO, Devin “Mylixia” Nash, announced that the team is focused on better establishing their community presence.

“When I joined Counter Logic Gaming, I promised this in my CEO announcement article:  We need to connect to our roots, and interact on a deeper level with our supporters. This means better communication and a focus on bringing you closer to what’s happening at CLG,” said Nash”

The announcement featured the relaunch of the Counter Logic Gaming YouTube channel.  The main channel will feature, “quality stories about the organization and each team as a whole. On this will also be staff features and narratives about our culture and what CLG is doing,” according to Nash.

CLG League of Legends and CLG Counter Strike,are also launching YouTube channels. These channels will focus on the players, and allow the user to get a look at what it takes to be a professional.

Coinciding with the launch of these YouTube channels, are the launch of Facebook pages as well.  These pages will focus on being information hubs for fans, keeping them up to date with the latest CLG news.

From a fans perspective, these are some welcome announcements.  It’s always fun to experience new content created by both the players, and the organization.  It’s also a good way for the organization to maintain a  level of transparency with the fans.

CLG will need to pump out a consistent amount of content on these platforms, in order to not disappoint the fans.

 

 

2016 NA LCS Spring Preview Power Rankings Pt.1

Posted on by SonOfJan

1. TSM

After following up a loss to CLG in the summer split final with a poor performance at worlds, TSM dumped their League roster (RIP Dyrus I still love you) almost as hard as they did with their CS:GO squad. The lone survivor of the team, Bjergsen, had a lot of help brought in.

Obviously, the biggest addition to the team was Doublelift, who made a Yankees-Red Sox type move joining CLG’s longtime rival.  He is a clear upgrade over WildTurtle, but how will he co-exist with another alpha dog like Bjergsen.

Hauntzer and Svenskeren are both solid pickups.  Hauntzer was arguably a top 3 top laner last year, and when Svenskeren isn’t serving a ban, he’s an absolute monster carry jungler.

The most intriguing pick up is YellOwStaR. It was shocking that Fnatic’s longtime support would leave the team he helped create, but the best support in the west teaming with best ADC in the west is going to give the rest of the leagues bot lanes nightmares.

TSM obviously looks like the favorite to win the split. They just need to coexist, and not have Doublelift tilt them off the face of the earth.

2. Immortals

Immortals might not have existed last year, but the members of the team were making an impact in both NA and EU.

Huni and Reignover were the backbone of that dominant Fnatic team. The two Korean imports were relatively unknown to Western LoL fans, but now they’re two of the most respected players at their positions.

Pobelter might not have shown up during worlds, but he had some games last split where he absolutely carried the summer champs. He also gets bonus points for doing the most basketball-ish roster move, in which he didn’t want to share playing time with HuHi on CLG.

WildTurtle might have gotten the boot from TSM, but if he performs like he did in his prime, he might make TSM regret dropping him. Paired up with Adrian, this could be one of the most aggressive bot lanes in NA.

This is definitely a case of a team signing the five best free agents available.  We’ve seen super teams under perform and blow up before, but I don’t think this will be the case. Immortals is a real threat to make a deep run this split.

3. Cloud 9

If you asked me who my top five is at each role, I would have to throw Hai in each and every single one of those by default. His shot calling is just too good. He’s on his third role now, and looks to get C9 back on track after a disappointing summer split.

With Hai at support, the reigning MVP, Rush, looks to carry things from the jungle.  Rush doesn’t have the burden of shot calling that Meteos did last split, and is going to have a better time settling in his role.

Sneaky and Jensen are both really good at League of Legends, and barring a massive setback, should both continue to perform at the top level.

I really like the 6 man roster Cloud 9 has.  I think Hai teaching new pickup, BunnyFuFu, how to shot call, while Bunny teaches Hai how to support, is going to lead to great things. It might be shaky at first, but this will ultimately lead to a new long-term shot caller for C9.

Top this all off with LemonNation taking his genius into the head coaching role, and this has potential to be more like the Season 3 C9, than the 2015 C9.

4.* Team Liquid

Alright, you all know that Liquid is just going to finish 4th like they always do.

4.(Actually) Counter Logic Gaming

At first glance this may seem way too high for CLG, but stick with me here for a second.

I think Doublelift is still a top 2 ADC in NA. That being said, I think Aphromoo could carry me in lane. (at least up until I panic and do something stupid and run off stage) Stixxay might be unproven, but I think he’s going to settle in quickly and become a decent ADC in NA.  He didn’t do terrible at IEM, and with time he’ll show why he was chosen over someone like FORG1VEN.

Losing ZionSpartan was an absolute tragedy.  Zion was undoubtedly the player most likely to carry out of the top lane last season, and therefore will be greatly missed.  However, some people claim that this new guy, “Darshan”, will be just as good, if not better. We’ll see.

Xmithie has looked extremely shaky at times, but the fact that Sejuani is out of the meta is an absolute godsend.  If he can expand his champion pool he’ll be solid. He’s never going to be Season 3 Xmithie, but hey he’s the last remaining player from that Vulcun team. (RIP Bloodwater, you didn’t deserve what happened)

HERE’S WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING.

Pobelter was great last split. Yeah CLG crashed and burned at worlds, but Pob finally proved he wasn’t just a good player on a bad team. (inb4 LOL XDDDD CLG AND NA = BAD) That being said, he didn’t just get put in a situation where he was going to split time with HuHi because that was the plan last year and they needed to make things fair. No. Fair doesn’t happen in sports/esports.

CLG is hiding something from everyone.

HuHi is actually a God.  Formed from the genes of Faker, Bigfatlp, and Annie Bot, HuHi has been put on this earth for one purpose. That purpose is to finally win a World Championship for NA. He will destroy the opposition with no remorse.

Yes that is definitely a bold prediction. But hey, maybe there’s more bold predictions in part 2! (Hint: Impulse being above relegation is not, I repeat, NOT, one of those potential bold predictions)

NA LCS Playoff Preview/Predictions

Posted on by SonOfJan

COUNTER LOGIC GAMING VS. TEAM LIQUID

CLG wins 3-1

This is a battle between two trash talking AD carries. Liquid comes into this match-up holding a 2-0 record over CLG this split, but Piglet didn’t play in either of those two games. Both teams need to win this series, but Doublelift has the most to prove.  A CLG loss concludes another late season collapse, as well as another failed split.

The duel between the AD carries might be the most highlighted match-up in this series, but it may very well come down to the two top laners.  Quas is looking to get out of a stretch of poor form, while ZIonSpartan is proving to be the best top laner CLG has ever had play for them. Zion can carry this series, but Quas playing at his best can shut him down. If Quas isn’t a factor, Liquid is going to get run out of the building.

CLG is simply better than Piglet’s Team Liquid on paper. However, CLG certainly has the tendency to freeze in these situations.  In my opinion, the break tradition and advanced to the semi finals. But unless they’ve drastically improved, that’s as far as they’re going in these playoffs. C9 and TSM are too strong.

TEAM IMPULSE VS. GRAVITY 

Team Impulse wins 3-2

Team Impulse is a better team than Gravity. But in a best of five series, Gravity has way too many unpredictable champion picks to be slept on. This may very well be a trap series for impulse, as they’ve played like a top 3 team at the end split. If they overlook Gravity, they’re going to be brought down to Earth extremely fast.

While Gravity may have some secret strategies in their back pocket during picks and bans, what Impulse has is Rush. Rush is the second best jungler in NA right now, and would be the best if it wasn’t for the current meta.  Rush wants to play a high impact carry champion, hell the man is doing whatever it takes to keep Lee Sin alive and kicking. But this current meta of tank junglers does not suit him well. On PTL this week, Jatt said that Rush’s solo queue record with Sejuani is something along the lines of 1-9.  That’s bad. Very bad. If Gravity can force Rush onto one of these tanks he’s uncomfortable with, they may be able to steal this series.

While I do think Gravity has the potential to win this series, I don’t think they’re going to be able to pull of three wins via cheeky shenanigans. Impulse has been on fire lately (The dig game was a trap game so we’re not talking about that).I expect them to take this series, but I don’t think it’s going to be a clean sweep. Expect a fun, five game battle, that may be the most entertaining series of the playoffs.