Riot Games Makes a U-Turn: The Guard’s Ascension Victory Stands Strong

The Journey to Victory and the Unexpected Hurdle

The Guard showcased their prowess and strategy by clinching the top spot in the VCT Challengers Ascension Americas tournament on 9 July. This triumph should have seamlessly paved their way into the VCT Americas League for the upcoming 2024 and 2025 seasons. However, a procedural hiccup arose when The Guard missed the deadline for the Team Participation Agreement, a mandatory requirement for all teams aspiring to join the VCT League. This oversight led Riot to drop a bombshell on 29 August, declaring that no teams would ascend to the 2024 season, effectively erasing The Guard’s hard-fought victory from the records.

A Community United in Outrage

Riot’s decision to sideline The Guard did not sit well with the broader esports community. The sentiment was unanimous: the team’s efforts seemed to have been rendered moot. A flurry of suggestions and questions bombarded social media platforms, with fans and fellow players alike pondering why another organization couldn’t step in and adopt the roster. Why weren’t the Ascension runners-up, M80, considered as a replacement for The Guard? Seeking to channel this collective discontent into action, a petition titled “Let The Guard roster play VCT under another organization” was launched on 30 August. The call to action resonated deeply, with the petition racking up a staggering 11,000+ signatures in a short span.

Riot’s Moment of Reflection and Reconsideration

Leo Faria, the influential head of VALORANT Esports, took to Twitter to address the swirling storm of concerns. He shed light on Riot’s apprehensions, explaining that allowing a different organization to acquire the slot might inadvertently pave the way for VCT slots to be commercialized, a move Riot staunchly opposes. However, the sheer magnitude of support for The Guard and the compelling arguments presented by the community prompted Riot to introspect and re-evaluate their stance. On the cusp of September, Faria tweeted a message of hope, signaling that Riot was in the throes of devising a solution that would prioritize the players’ interests. This introspection culminated in Riot’s landmark decision to greenlight The Guard’s search for a qualified organization to champion their cause in the Americas League.

A Triumph of Community Spirit

The Guard’s journey, marked by highs, lows, and eventual redemption, serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the esports community. Team captain Jacob “Valyn” Batio, didn’t hold back in expressing his gratitude to Riot for their flexibility and lauded the community for being the wind beneath The Guard’s wings. Fellow team members joined this chorus of appreciation, underscoring the pivotal role played by community voices in shaping outcomes. This saga is a poignant reminder of the symbiotic relationship between game developers and their ardent fan base and how open dialogue can lead to win-win resolutions.

Picture: Emriquet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons