The year 2023 seems to be announced as a pivotal year for competition in League of Legends, with many changes in the formats of the different leagues. Outraged those that will take place for the LEC, the other regions are also deciding to change certain things on their side. It is in particular the case in LCK, whose format had not been modified for years.
A surprising decision
The LCK will adopt the double elimination format during the playoffs in 2023. If this is far from being a revolution, since many regions are already using it, the timing of this adoption is surprising. Recently the responsible for the esports section of Riot Games came back to this subject, putting forward certain reasons why, this format did not meet Riot’s expectations for Worlds. Seeing one of LoL’s iconic regions adopt it a few days later is therefore unexpected. This is probably a considered decision, which will reinforce the uniqueness of the Worlds. Nevertheless as now all major regions have a format with a double elimination (even if the format is quite particular in LPL), the supporters of the double elimination will have a new argument to put in the balance.
A whole new face for DAMWON in 2023
The 2020 world champions are doing a huge clean-up within the structure. The departures of technical staffand in particular kkOmahave revived speculation about a possible return of the latter within the T1. Nor should we neglect the departures of Zefa and Daeny, other pillars of the technical supervision.
The other departure that has attracted attention is that of Nuguri, who was present during the coronation of 2020. After a year spent in the colors of FPX, the top laner had returned to his heart club. It is not not yet certain that his departure will be confirmed (his contract was due to end on November 21, 2022, so he could re-sign with DAMWON), but the communication from the club still seems to reinforce this hypothesis. After the coronation of 2020, rumors had run about his healthand it is not impossible that he decides to take his retirement. Finally, burdol his toplane understudy would also be on the way.
The toplane is apparently not the only project at work at DAMWON, because Deokdam also announced his departure. In the case of the ADC, there seems to be no room for doubt, because his contract was due to end at the end of 2023. For the moment, Canyon, ShowMaker and Kellin would remain on the teamalso having contracts until 2023. We will have to follow the announcements of the DAMWON, because even if their year is far from being catastrophic, the team has not fully lived up to its ambitions