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A Weekly Recap of Happenings in League of Legends (1/6/14-1/12/14)

Hello all! Alex here with another recap on League of Legends news. This past week has been a tumultuous one within the eSports scene, from Lemondogs‘ disqualification, to the dramatic promotion qualifier, OGN Champions Winter Semifinals, and RapidStar’s retirement.

Today, I will discuss a few more preseason updates that have rolled out, OGN Champions Winter, and take a look at what’s ahead in the next few weeks. This update will be a little on the lengthy side as there is a lot to cover pre-LCS!

Gameplay Updates

We are now a little under 24 hours until the beginning of the 2014 LCS season, kicking off this Tuesday in Europe! Riot is busy rolling out more preseason updates in the form of a new email verification system and automated summoner name clean-up system. Both of these updates should bring better security and help current active players and new or prospective players alike.

Email Verification

Baddies won’t be able to change a single credential on your account without also having access to your verified email account. This is just a first step – we’re looking into many more security features to keep your account details safe like SMS protection and more, so stay tuned.

In an attempt to further increase security for player accounts, Riot announced their new email verification system. This requirement will ensure that if any credential changes are made to your account, you are alerted by email, allowing you get a heads up if anything suspicious is happening on your account.

This has been deemed just the first of other security features yet to come:

“Baddies won’t be able to change a single credential on your account without also having access to your verified email account. This is just a first step – we’re looking into many more security features to keep your account details safe like SMS protection and more, so stay tuned.”

Verifying your account is easy:

  1. Head to leagueoflegends.com and sign in
  2. Click your summoner name
  3. Follow the prompts to establish a verified email account

As thanks for signing up, free things are sent our way:

“To say thanks, we’re offering up a 4-win IP boost for everyone that establishes a verified email account.”

So be sure to head on over, log into your account, verify your email, and get that IP!

Summoner Name Clean-Up

If your immunity runs out, your name will become available to other players through the Summoner Name Change option in the store. If you log in after someone claims your Summoner name, you’ll be prompted to create a new one. To be clear, your name may be taken, but your paid content and game history will remain attached to your account.

The past few years, Riot has run annual summoner name clean-ups to free up names on inactive accounts for current and prospective players. However, this year, they are introducing a new and automated Summoner Name Clean Up system that will continually monitor and sweep out unused accounts in an attempt to keep from players ‘name-sitting’ for long periods of time.

Here’s how it will work, according to the announcement by Udyr:

“Based on when you played your last game and what your level is, you’ll have a period of immunity from name clean ups. Every name will initially be given 6 months of immunity and then granted one additional month for each level above level 6.

For example:

  •  Levels 1-6: 6 months of inactivity immunity
  • Level 12: 1 year of immunity
  • Level 20: 1 year, 8 months of immunity
  • Level 30: 2 years, 6 months of immunity

If your immunity runs out, your name will become available to other players through the Summoner Name Change option in the store. If you log in after someone claims your Summoner name, you’ll be prompted to create a new one. To be clear, your name may be taken, but your paid content and game history will remain attached to your account.

It’s important to note that non-immune names can only be claimed through Summoner Name Change, and not by new players. This ensures the name will be used by an active player and not someone who decided they absolutely need Trevor, 7revor, and Tr3v0r Tha 5hr3dder. It happens more often than you’d think.

To make it easier to snag the alias you’ve always wanted, you can now purchase a Summoner Name Change for 13,900 IP. For players who prefer using RP, procure your new namesake for half off from January 14 to January 28 (11:59 PM PST).

With so many names freed up, capture yours today!”

Sound good? I’m a fan of this new system. Well played Riot.

When does the new season start?

So one question is still on everyone’s mind: When does the new season officially start? While we still do not have a definitive date, RiotBrokenSword threw in a few words on this:

“I think a little over a month from now. I don’t have an exact date. It depends half on our strategic timing, and ability to have the Season 2014* (that’s what we’re calling it now) code ready and stable.”

I’m looking forward to the new season for a lot of reasons, from a mostly clean slate for ranked and a new opportunity to gain rewards. How about you? What are your League of Legends new season resolutions?

eSports

OGN Champions Winter: Semi-Finals

This week’s Semifinals were down to the wire in order to determine which teams would have their chance to compete in the Grand Finals and who would be relegated to fight for the remaining respective third and fourth spots.

SK Telecom T1 K vs. KT Rolster Bullets – Click to read team member profiles and match-up preview

This series was of crucial importance for both SKT and KT B – For SKT, winning this series would put them one step closer to making OGN history and possibly becoming the first team to win back-to-back OGN titles. For KT B, they have historically had streaks of brilliance throughout their seasons in OGN, but have always fallen short, particularly at the hands of SKT.

I was expecting to see KT B put up more of a fight against the World Champions, and honestly felt a bit let down by KT B’s performance. In terms of objective prioritization and control, SKT always seemed one step ahead. KT B deserves to be credited for some good plays, but in continuing fashion, SKT won out yet again in this match-up, sweeping KTB 3-0 and moving confidently into the Grand Finals. Who can contest the champs?

Matches played on January 8, 2014 

Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3

Samsung Galaxy Ozone vs. NaJin White Shield – Click to read team member profiles and match-up preview

Ozone and Shield had already battled it out previously in the group stages, with Ozone taking down Shield 3-1. This series would feel like déjà vu in many ways, though Game 3 truly featured an exciting and white-knuckle kind of ending. While Shield does show potential as a team, their mindset and cohesiveness in terms of decision-making will need some work across the next season.

Matches played on January 10, 2014 

Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4

EU LCS Replacement Matches

With Lemondogs disqualified from the LCS, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Meet Your Makers, and Supa Hot Crew all had their opportunity to participate in a Round-Robin Promotion Series to determine who would move into the newly opened EU LCS spot.

However, on the fateful morning of the promotional matches, Ninjas in Pyjamas was disqualified by failing to set up the tournament field in time for the matches. Therefore, the spring promotion became a Best of Three match-up between Meet Your Makers and Supa Hot Crew.

Supa Hot Crew’s performance did not disappoint across this Best of Three series. They maintained steady lane and objective control within both games, netting themselves a decisive 2-0 victory over Meet Your Makers, as well as a spot in the 2014 EU LCS.

Matches played on Saturday, January 11, 2014 

Game 1 | Game 2

CJ Entus Frost Mid-Laner RapidStar Announces Retirement

It has been a slightly heartbreaking week for fans of CJ Entus Frost, as not only had Frost suffered an 0-3 defeat at the hands of Samsung Galaxy Ozone, but long-time professional player RapidStar simultaneously announced his retirement. He sent out a farewell video for all his fans, thanking them for their support and explaining some of the decisions behind his choice to retire. We will miss you RapidStar!

Coming Soon in eSports

OGN Champions Winter: 3rd/4th Place Match & Grand Finals

Here are the current bracket standings for OGN Winter:OGN BracketOGN Champions Winter 2014 Bracket

  • 3rd/4th Place Series – KT Rolster Bullets vs. NaJin White Shield: January 15, 2014
  • Grand Finals – SK Telecom T1 K vs. Samsung Galaxy Ozone: January 25, 2014

All of these games can be watched live on the OGN Twitch channel at 1:30 AM PST / 4:30 AM EST.

2014 LCS

Are you ready? The 2014 LCS is nearly upon us! This week, Tuesday, January 14th, the LCS begins first in EU and then in NA on January 17th. Be sure to keep an eye on the official LoL eSports site for updates.

Here is a line-up of this week’s games:

EU LCS: Week 1 – Each Game is scheduled to run approximately one hour

Tuesday, January 14 – Games begin at 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST (Click each match to vote for winner)

Wednesday, January 15 – Games begin at 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST (Click each match to vote for winner)

Thursday, January 16 – Games begin at 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST (Click each match to vote for winner)

NA LCS: Week 1 – Each Game is scheduled to run approximately one hour

Friday, January 17 – Games begin at 12:00 PM PST / 3:00 PM EST (Click each match to vote for winner)

Saturday, January 18 – Games begin at 12:00 PM PST / 3:00 PM EST (Click each match to vote for winner)

Sunday, January 19 – Games begin at 12:00 PM PST / 3:00 PM EST (Click each match to vote for winner)

All of these games can be watched live on the Riot Game Twitch channel.

Every moment counts. But some are bigger than others.

If you’re in need of more hype for the 2014 LCS – Look and listen no further. Check out these videos, courtesy of the LoL eSports Youtube.

Moments: Team Solomid

 

Moments: Cloud 9 HyperX

 

Moments: Fnatic

 

Moments: SK Telecom T1 K

 

Moments: Royal Club

 

Coming Soon

The Lunar Revel is nearly upon us! Here’s a look at what’s been in development on the PBE and what’s in store for us when this event goes live. *Please note that any content on the PBE is still subject to change before live release.

Lunar Revel Log-In Screen & Music

Lunar Goddess Diana

Lunar Goddess DianaClick for wallpaper

Take a look at Diana’s new ability particles:

Dragonblade Riven

Dragonblade RivenClick for wallpaper

Warring Kingdoms Tryndamere

Warring Kingdoms TryndamereClick for wallpaper

Just looking at these new splash arts makes me excited for what’s around the corner. Stay tuned for more updates on the Lunar Revel as they unfold!

Articles & News

If you missed any articles we published, here are links to them so you can check them all out and stay up-to-date on Cloth5 content:

Blogs

eSports

Incase You Missed This

Here are a few story snippets that you may have missed along the way this week if you’ve been busy or just plain AFK:

  • LemondogsLemondogs Disqualification from EU LCS: In a startling turn of events, European team Lemondogs was disqualified from their EU LCS spot for failure to turn in the required paperwork. The community has been abuzz with speculation and rumors about what happened and why. From Riot’s perspective, Lemondogs was disqualified for the following reasons:

    “With respect to Lemondogs’ participation in the 2014 Spring Split, we have attempted to work with Lemondogs management over the last few weeks to get the documents and information – such as a verified roster – required by every team that participates in the LCS. Unlike the other teams, Lemondogs failed to identify a valid roster to us, and as a result, have been given a final deadline of 11:59pm CEST on January 8th, or they will face removal from the LCS.”

    When this paperwork was not produced in time, Lemondogs was disqualified from EU LCS and a play-in was quickly arranged to fill this new spot.  You can read more about what happened from ShLaYa, Lemondog’s mid-laner here, and also read the article provided by onGamers here.
  • NA Collegiate Championship: If you are a student currently enrolled in a full-time US or Canadian university, you will be eligible to compete in the new Collegiate Championship. This championship will begin with a region-wide playoff series, after which the top four collegiate teams will compete for $100,000 in scholarships. These teams will have the chance to compete on the LCS stage for the North American Collegiate Champions title. To learn more about this opportunity and how to apply, read here.
  • Team Coast Announces Alex Penn as New Coach: Ex-Cloud 9 analyst Alex Penn has just officially announced his move to Team Coast as their new coach. Take a look at his interview with Travis Gafford of OnGamers as Alex discusses his new role and duties with Coast.

Riot AMA’s/Forum Discussions

Riot BrokenSword – Q & A: Ao Shin & Future Dominion Development: Riot BrokenSword is a Production Coordinator for League of Legends, and recently held an AMA on the EUW forums. While a lot of him and his teams’ work may not be seen by players in a physical manner, they work hard to improve and provide a stable PvP.net client experience – whether this be in Champ Select, or in what they are currently working on, which is a better Game Invitations system.Ao Shin

Remember when we first saw a glance of Ao Shin back in September? When asked about what stage of development this champion is currently in, BrokenSword has said that it may be a while before we see this awesome looking new champion:

“Ao Shin is very, very far down the road. Probably not even this year. There was a lot we learned about him after we introduced his concept art. His concept [as] a character has changed dramatically, but much for the better. It will take a while to develop an excellent kit that matches his lore.”

When questioned about whether or not the Dominion map would be receiving some love and improvement, he responded:

“Nothing official being done yet. There are talks of Dominion work, but there really aren’t many people playing it. Giving it love in the future isn’t out of the question, though. It’s a matter of knowing what we couldn’t do, if we were to dedicate time to Dominion. There are probably much higher value projects than most things related to Dominion. Unfortunate as that sounds, it’s just a truth we keep seeing validated.”

To read more, you can head over to this article to see what else BrokenSword discussed with the community.

Riot IronStylus – Early Concept Work: If there is one thing that I love, it is concept art for games. I enjoy seeing the stages of development for a character, environment, or weapon, the decisions, and the thought process behind its transition from a rough sketch to a polished finalized product. Riot IronStylus, Senior Concept Artist, provided a small peek on Reddit at some of his early concept designs for a few champions he has helped to create. Did you know that Quinn was initially meant to be a melee champion? Take a look at some of these for yourself:

Riot Meddler – 2014 Season Changes, Balances, and More: Riot Meddler spent a large portion of time discussing more updates coming our way across the next season, from changes to the League system, to nerfs and balances to certain items and masteries.

If you want to get a deeper look at the items that Riot Meddler discussed during his EU Forum AMA, you can check out this article for an in-depth breakdown of the conversation. There are a lot of changes coming up this season and it’s worth staying up-to-date to see what is headed our way and ask questions, provide feedback, and be involved in the discussion of the development of League of Legends as it continues.

 

As always, thank you all for reading! There’s a small chance that This Week in League will need to pick up in two weeks rather than one, but if that happens, I will be back with a double week recap. Enjoy the start of the LCS!

 

Special Thanks To:

Mark Cupp: My main graphics man and master of Photoshop!

 


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Tags 2014LCSLunarLunar RevelOGNRevelRiot

Alex "Valkyrie"

Hello all! I manage Cloth5's Public Relations and Content Coordination. I am a lover of Tazo Tea, League of Legends, Apple Products, & John Mayer. Follow me on Twitter: @C5Valkyrie

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