Alliance: Pick Ashe, Rita is broken

LPL League: A glorious journey from nothing to something

Esports, a new sport, has experienced rapid growth in China in recent years. The League of Legends Pro League (LPL) has become one of the most influential and engaging esports tournaments in China. Let's review the LPL's history and development, witnessing its rise to prominence.

In 2013, Tencent Games officially announced the establishment of the LPL, marking the beginning of professional League of Legends esports in China. At the time, only eight teams participated in the inaugural LPL Spring Split: OMG, PE, IG, WE, Royal Club, LMQ.TC, EP.HK, and Huayi Spider. These teams represented the highest level of domestic League of Legends at the time.

As the LPL continues to grow, it's attracting increasing attention. Major clubs have also increased their investment, building strong teams. In 2014, EDG emerged as a rising star. Leveraging exceptional teamwork and individual skill, they have won numerous championships and become the dominant force in the LPL. Meanwhile, established powerhouses like OMG and WE are not to be outdone, maintaining their strong competitiveness.

2015 was a significant year for the LPL. A large number of top Korean players joined LPL teams, significantly elevating the overall league's performance. LGD performed exceptionally well in the Summer Split, winning the championship. However, at the World Championship that year, the LPL team suffered a disastrous defeat, failing to achieve their desired results.

Despite this, the LPL continued its progress. In 2016, RNG surged to prominence, with the impressive performances of star players like Uzi garnering widespread attention. Furthermore, the LPL continued to improve its tournament organization and promotional efforts, further expanding its influence.

In 2017, the LPL implemented a home-and-away system, spreading competition venues across multiple cities and bringing fans closer. This move not only increased the fun and interactivity of the competition but also promoted the exchange and development of esports culture across regions. That same year, the WE team lifted the LPL championship trophy for the first time in many years, sparking nostalgia for countless veteran players.

After entering 2018, the LPL experienced a complete explosion. Invictus Gaming (IG) triumphed in the World Championship, ultimately securing the LPL's first S Series title. This historic achievement greatly boosted the morale of the entire LPL and Chinese esports enthusiasts. Subsequently, FPX won the 2019 World Championship, solidifying the LPL's position as the world's premier region.

Now in its eighth year, the LPL boasts numerous top-tier teams and exceptional players. Its annual Spring and Summer Splits, Mid-Season Invitational, and Worlds attract hundreds of millions of viewers. The LPL has not only fueled the vigorous development of China's esports industry but also cultivated a large number of exceptional esports talent, laying a solid foundation for the future of Chinese esports. I believe the LPL will continue to achieve even greater success in the near future!

As one of the most influential and competitive regions in the League of Legends e-sports field, LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea) has a development history full of twists and turns and glory.

As early as early 2012, South Korea had already begun hosting small-scale League of Legends tournaments, but at the time, a unified and large-scale league system had not yet been established. It was not until the fall of that year that OGN (OnGameNet) officially launched the inaugural OGN Champions League, marking the beginning of the LCK.

Initially, the LCK had a relatively small number of teams, primarily local clubs. However, as the tournament's influence grew and the League of Legends game itself became increasingly popular worldwide, increasing capital poured into this emerging esports sector. Teams increased their investment, actively recruited outstanding players, and established professional coaching and support staff.

In 2013, SKT T1's victory at the Season 3 World Championship brought the world's attention to the LCK's strength. Since then, the LCK has steadily become a global powerhouse, sweeping numerous international championships for years. During this period, the LCK has seen the emergence of numerous top-tier professional players, such as Faker, PawN, and Deft. Their exceptional individual skills and teamwork have captivated audiences with captivating performances.

Since 2017, other regions have rapidly risen, challenging the LCK's dominance. Simultaneously, the LCK has undergone a series of internal changes, including adjustments to the competition system and team reorganizations. Despite this, the LCK has maintained a high level of competition and continues to cultivate and produce a large number of outstanding esports talents.

Today, the LCK has developed into a top-tier esports region boasting a comprehensive tournament system, a vast fan base, and a highly professionalized operational model. Every year, it attracts top teams from around the world, and LCK teams continue to be active in various international competitions, writing their own legendary chapters.

OGN was once a major league in the Korean esports scene, carrying the passion and dreams of countless esports players and fans. However, with the passage of time and the evolution of the industry, OGN gradually evolved into the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) we know today.

This transformation didn't happen overnight, but rather involved a series of complex and far-reaching changes. First, the game itself, League of Legends, has been continuously updated and iterated, with significant improvements in gameplay, hero balance, and other aspects, making the games more entertaining and competitive. At the same time, global interest in esports continues to grow, attracting a significant influx of capital into the sector.

To adapt to the new landscape and demands, OGN has made adjustments and optimizations across multiple aspects, including the competition system, organizational structure, and promotional efforts. They've introduced a stricter qualification process to ensure only strong teams are allowed to compete. They've also upgraded hardware facilities, including competition venues and live broadcast technology, to provide a better viewing experience for spectators. Furthermore, they've actively engaged in international cooperation and exchange activities, strengthening competition and interaction with other regional leagues.

Throughout this process, OGN faced numerous challenges and difficulties, such as maintaining the fairness and transparency of its competitions and coping with the pressure from emerging competitors. However, through unwavering faith and the team's tireless efforts, OGN ultimately successfully completed its transformation into the LCK and has become one of the most influential League of Legends professional leagues in the world.

Today, the LCK boasts numerous top teams and exceptional players, hosting captivating regular seasons, playoffs, and various cup competitions each year. Its high-level competition and spectacular mechanics often captivate players worldwide. The evolution from OGN to the LCK not only bears witness to the booming development of South Korea's esports industry but also epitomizes the maturity and prosperity of the entire esports industry.