Last week I told you about a ban from Riot on League of Legends pro athletes. They were banned from publicly streaming other games, leading to a lot of outcry. Now, it seems that Riot is pulling a Microsoft and doing a 180.
In an update posted on Reddit, Riot explained the reason for their original ban:
There’ve been instances of other game studios trying to buy access to League fans by using (or trying to use) LCS teams/players to promote their competing games on stream.
However, they acknowledge that the all-out ban was an overreach. While it may achieve that goal, it also limited the pros’ ability to have fun and entertain viewers. As such, they came to the following decision:
After reading all of your comments and having a LOT of internal debate over the last 24 hours, we’re going to be changing the LCS team requirement to something that more closely matches our intent. While under contract to the LCS, teams and players can’t accept sponsorship from other game companies to promote other titles. Besides that, they are free to stream any games they want.
Well, that sounds more like it. Very happy to see Riot responding to the concerns of fans and players. Now LoL athletes can stream again! Excellent news… not that I’ve really been watching those streams. But still, good news for all the people who do.
Last Updated: December 9, 2013
Lego Witcher of the Squirrels
December 9, 2013 at 16:36
Glad the fan riots changed Riot’s mind. Now the LoLthletes can have fun again.
Gideon Venter
December 10, 2013 at 08:59
Lolthletes… People who compete in sport for the favour of the Spider Queen?
Lego Witcher of the Squirrels
December 10, 2013 at 09:07
Pretty much yeah… lol
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
December 9, 2013 at 16:43
Did you guys know that Koos Bekker AKA Naspers owns majority of Riot Games? o.O WTF!