I think it's time to face the noise.

GuuMi·Apr 18, 2016·45 votes·2,871 views

It seems as though Riot has ignored the fact that not having sound proof booths for pro players can have an affect on their play. When you have a team in such a stressful environment, competing to be the best team in NA and they can barely even hear their own team mates? They have to yell over each other at some points just to hear each other. So my question is for Riot. Why have have you not taken more interest in it? I'm more then sure you haven't completely ignored this, I know you're better than that. So what is the excuse for not making the transition to sound proof booths? edit Basically hijacking this video from reddit. See it hear: https://www.reddit.com/r/leagueoflegends/comments/4f8moy/clg_vs_tsm_cant_hear_you_guys_on_stage/

More proof here: http://www.riftherald.com/2016/4/17/11448884/aphromoo-clg-interview-na-lcs-finals-tsm-doublelft TRH: How was the environment? Aphromoo: I think it's because we sat in the middle, but when the team fights would break out, I couldn't hear anything. It was just all mumbo jumbo, we were screaming and stuff, and the crowd noise was just penetrating my headset

Example on how booths work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T3UB4oMDLw#t=2m17s 2:17

28 Comments

Fantomex XIIIApr 18, 201614 votes

I honestly think this needs a Riot reply. Because if they don't understand that the LCS is one of only two (that i'm aware of), LoL pro scenes that DON'T use soundproof booths? There's something wrong. The only other one for LoL i've seen is CBLOL that doesn't use them. GPL, LCK, LPL, LMS, etc. All use them. GSL in SC2 doesn't use them, but it's less of an issue for Starcraft. Even then, look at IEM, or Dreamhack, or any major organizer. They all use booths.

TurquoiseYoshiApr 18, 20161 votes

I don't remember seeing them at IEM Katowice.

Fantomex XIIIApr 18, 20161 votes

You are correct. My bad. Should have been more specific. IEM uses soundproof booths for SC2, a game where it's far less of an issue to begin with.

UmirinmahgainsApr 18, 20168 votes

They have headphones that are built for stopping outside sounds from coming in, but the reality is that there are no headphones in existence strong enough to cancel out the noise of a massive crowd. I don't think the players can hear the castors. But the players for damn sure can hear the crowd when another team is sneaking baron or trying to do an ambush. I know there was a DOTA 2 tournament where the crowd gave away a level 1 Roshan, and I'm sure similar things have already happened in the LCS. I can understand how normal sports don't separate you from the players, but this isn't a normal sport. A normal sport isn't going to have people in the stadium calling out each play before it happens and in response the opposing team counters based on that info. But that is a very real possibility for pro-league. Being able to hear the crowd can stop baron sneaks, death bush tactics, it can let the enemy team know that 5 members are coming to gank top lane, or where the enemy team is invading the jungle. It's feasible that the crowd could get behind one team and just shout what the other team is doing. What is Riot going to do, tell the crowd to shut up? I doubt that would work.

iamleburkApr 19, 20161 votes

You have to remember the headphones could prevent outside noise, but the microphones they use to communicate with their team will always pick up the noise

KotexApr 18, 20164 votes

Yea, the The Dota International and the Dota Major gives their players sound proof booths. Would be a great addition to aid the LCS.

SettDownShutUpApr 18, 20161 votes

https://youtu.be/hNVrqS1wUYY?t=2m19s

They aint saints.

TurquoiseYoshiApr 18, 20161 votes

Oh god. This is where MSI will be held.

We're all screwed.

Old Man TeetoApr 18, 20163 votes

OGN and LPL use booths.

They should've used booths in NA and EU from the beginning of LCS, but a bunch of reasons stop them that are illogical yet present.

ChaoticPineconeApr 18, 20161 votes

Theres something "real" about not being separated from the players by a wall. It sucks for the players, but no other sport uses soundproof booths.

I mean, it got to the point where the Saints had custom earplugs made when they are playing in Seattle since the crowd gets too loud.

Old Man TeetoApr 18, 20161 votes

Golf requires the audience be deathly quiet for their initial drive, and the crowd can't really follow them. Ever heard of the "Golf Clap"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP6v4T3VT7I

The thing is that imposing that form of silence, in order to help the players concentrate and communicate, would be far more illogical than sound proof booths as even the casters are loud, rambunctious and often times ecstatic.

This isn't Football. The players need constant communication, not a single huddle every 30 seconds and then nearly nothing during the play itself. Soundproof booths make the MOST sense and have been used for a long time for competitive e-Sports.

ChaoticPineconeApr 18, 20162 votes

I have no idea why you brought up golf. Are golf players in a soundproof booth? Are the spectators separated from the players by a wall?

And no, its not football. But the point still stands. Ever hear of audibles? A QB doesnt give a play in the huddle and never talks again. You need to hear audible changes in plays and formation. You need to hear the QB calling the snap. If the defense tries fancy blitzs, you need to yell "switch" on the line to read it and pick it up.

Football doesnt impose silence because it ruins the energy of the crowd. Similarly in League, there is an energy of the crowd. (Its not golf where people sit around for 4 entire days to watch 10 players compete). Theres a reason why the LCS finals has the players facing each other. It makes it more exciting.

Soundproof booths hinder that.

hobomann2Apr 18, 20162 votes

they dont? HA! dota 2 has been using soundproof booths for there first big tournament,the international. IN 2011.

LauchmelderApr 18, 20163 votes

Well, everything else in DotA 2 sucks to compensate that though. At least for me.

YCitizenSnipsYApr 19, 20161 votes

They do in Korea, and have had them for a long time, but the OGN is better at running e-sports than Riot.

iamleburkApr 19, 20161 votes

This is the problem with Riot having a monopoly in League. They have the biggest and best Esport around and yet can not be bothered to meet industry standards, when they should be the one setting the fucking industry standards. I know everyone bitches and moans about the balance team and all that, but I think the Esports branch is by far the worst part of Riot.

Photos of GhostsApr 18, 20161 votes

What? They're not soundproof? That means they can just listen to the casters saying where the enemy and the wards are?

DarkRitualApr 18, 20162 votes

They use noise cancellation, but it only works up to a certain dB level, where the crowd can often surpass that level.

Kal Vas FlamApr 18, 20161 votes

I don't think I would go to one of these events if the players were hidden in sound proof booths. There has to be a less tacky way of dealing it. They could, for example, buy better headphones that actually do their job.

I Am SleepýApr 18, 20161 votes

It's kind of like you've never been to a concert or... Any massive social gathering.

Kal Vas FlamApr 18, 20161 votes

{quoted}

It's kind of like you've never been to a concert or... Any massive social gathering.

I wonder how those performers that have been doing this for half a century deal with loud crowds. Hmm

XonraApr 18, 20161 votes

{quoted}

I don't think I would go to one of these events if the players were hidden in sound proof booths. There has to be a less tacky way of dealing it. They could, for example, buy better headphones that actually do their job.

Its called a microphone. It picks up sounds...when a crowd is screaming it is picked up.

How is that hard to understand? It isnt about "better headphones". Having played in even smaller crowds by far, hearing a crowd only theough your mic is even more jarring not less. Cant hear teammates, sometimes miss game info (ping noises for example). Some of the players were saying the crowd noise was giving them a headache it was ao loud at times.

UNSCApr 18, 20161 votes

Very valid point, thats one of the reason timers were added. Players would hear the crowd cheer after a dragon or baron and the enemy team would just time it in chat.

DarkRitualApr 18, 20161 votes

They could also increase the spectator delay in Tournament Realm (and have the facecams and such also run on that delay tosync up). This seems more feasible, and would aloow the same "live" feeling.