For Whom the Bell Trolls

hotarse·Sep 26, 2016·3 votes·1,178 views

I started off thinking I'd simply post a critique of riot games for their forsaking (couldn't put for and forsaking consecutively) of our caster heroes Monte and Doa.

Can we first get a round of applause for Riot? Their ego likes getting stroked. Your game has captured the imaginations of a generation and against common perception, I think we've entered an age where an esport can gain the longevity of a regular sport. I actually believe LoL will last a LOT longer than other games have because #1 we've hit the point where the tech is no longer upgrading at the rate it once used to, and even so, LoL's tech can be upgraded later in the future the way Dota's was, and #2, I feel you've created an infrastructure that will take a long time and a huge investment to outdo. No one does esports quite as good as you. And even though I think you're taking advantage of your esports casting team, i have to admit, the results speak for themselves.

And I know you have a beef with Monte and by proxy, probably DoA as well. But these two casters, the bread and butter of the number one league, LCK, need to show at worlds. It's simply inexcusable that you haven't deigned this important enough to make happen. These guys are arguably the best of the best when it comes to commentary and analysis, and yet you've let them slip under the cracks because of your petty attitude. World's simply won't be as good without them. All due respect to all other casters, but these guys simply are a cut above.

Couldn't you find it in your hearts to find a way to include them, at least in some form, in the world's championship? Admittedly I'll be watching either way, but I would enjoy it so much more to hear DoA's fun references and Monte's Know-it-All bravado. Let's do it guys. Let's bring them back. It's not too late. You can still make it happen.

Sincerely, An earnest Fan

19 Comments

III BAKURYU III Sep 26, 20162 votes

Their spirits will be there when a Korean team wins Worlds for the 4th year in a row.

Gear KittySep 26, 20162 votes

It's not Riot's petty attitude.

It's that Riot pays their casters chump change compared to what the same caster could earn doing Overwatch, Heroes, Smite, DOTA2, CS: Go, or any other high grade eSport game. In fact, the pay for Worlds is so low that it's both laughable and a borderline crime.

anonymous119Sep 27, 20162 votes

[{quoted}](name=Gear Kitty,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=ci5E4Kox,comment-id=0001,timestamp=2016-09-26T17:51:15.642+0000)

It's not Riot's petty attitude.

It's that Riot pays their casters chump change compared to what the same caster could earn doing Overwatch, Heroes, Smite, DOTA2, CS: Go, or any other high grade eSport game. In fact, the pay for Worlds is so low that it's both laughable and a borderline crime.

It was my understanding that the pay for those events are freelance meaning they get paid at the event and then every one goes their separate ways. Riot pays their casters year round with full benefits even if they make less at any singular event. Riot also started paying their casters more. Monte only makes more money because he's able to seek outsider sponsors since he isn't directly an employee of riot.

I personally do not like monte at all. I don't like his analysis which I think is often lazy. "The best team, korea, is going to win so I don't know why the rest of the world even bothers showing up." It's just 30 different variation on that sentence every time he talks with the smug douchebaggery only found on people writing novels at starbucks.

QuartzGolemSep 27, 20162 votes

I still can't believe that you and so many others haven't realized yet that IT'S A FUCKING PERSONA. That's right folks, the Monte you see and hear on the analyst desk isn't his actual personality. We're probably going to need an industrial drill for you guys, because you all seem just a little too dense to realize that casters work in an entertainment industry. In playing the "Villain", he gets so much more attention, and attention equals success in his business. I've come to realize over time that all of the MonteCristo haters, are just a bunch of half-wits who can't come to conclusions on their own. In following their own mob mentality, they are stuck in their own land of disillusionment.

anonymous119Sep 27, 20162 votes

I still can't believe you don't realize yet that I was commenting that I don't like his FUCKING PERSONA. I don't care if he's trying to be a villain. He offers little to nothing constructive most of the time and in the rare time he does it's over shadowed by his constant whining.

I don't follow the mob. A debate was going on whether or not his criticisms were valid. I read both sides and then agreed that comparing a year long job and a 3 day job isn't the most valid comparison in regards to compensation.

QuartzGolemSep 27, 20161 votes

Firstly, I don't believe I said anything about the whole "caster wage issue", so I'll just ignore your second paragraph. You also did not use the word persona(or anything synonymous) in your original post. Finally to top it off, I've watched many LCK games(probably about 90% of them actually), so I am a bit curious as to where exactly you heard/saw Monte constantly whining or offer little to nothing constructive(since we are now indeed talking about his stage persona, MonteCristo, and not Christopher Mykles)

anonymous119Sep 27, 20161 votes

{quoted}

Firstly, I don't believe I said anything about the whole "caster wage issue", so I'll just ignore your second paragraph. You also did not use the word persona(or anything synonymous) in your original post. Finally to top it off, I've watched many LCK games(probably about 90% of them actually), so I am a bit curious as to where exactly you heard/saw Monte constantly whining or offer little to nothing constructive(since we are now indeed talking about his stage persona, MonteCristo, and not Christopher Mykles)

Firstly, you don't have to use the word firstly. When people call him Monte, his stage name, it should be easily understood they're talking about his stage persona. I've watched 90% of lck games as well and I don't find him to be insightful.

He's tweeted at least several times a week complaining about various grievances with riot for the last 6 months. Reddit on any given day is a cesspool of people talking about his latest gripe.

QuartzGolemSep 28, 20161 votes

I agree with one thing, Reddit is a cesspool.

Iwinatlife42Sep 26, 20162 votes

Am I the only one was thrilled that I wouldn't have to hear smug Monte Lavishing praise upon the Koreans?

MazariamontiSep 26, 20162 votes

Lol every time people feel slighted at monte's attitude towards Korean teams and their competition he is basically always proven right in the end. He's one of the best caster's in eSports and the only reason he won't be there is because he actually is capable of holding out until he gets paid what he's worth. Riot holds all their other casters under them, intentionally keeps their pay lower than it should be as well as preventing them from making additional income on their own time. Monte has called out this behavior and as a result was not even offered an invitation to cast worlds for any price.

Iwinatlife42Sep 26, 20161 votes

I Dont disagree that Korea is clearly stronger I just dislike how he expresses said opinions. That said I almost want him to be here this year because i think NA has a fighting chance

hotarseSep 27, 20162 votes

There are two comments I'd like to address in my follow up post.

One, people are criticizing Monte. I hear you. You are entitled to that opinion. But whether you like or dislike his style of analysis, you have to admit he is the first and foremost english analyst of the LCK, the strongest region in the world of League of Legends. That he was not even extended an invitation is a slight to esports fans around the world who acknowledge the strength of LCK as a region and of Monte's influence in said world.

Second, DoA was extended an invitation, but considering he's willing to say no doesn't mean simply that his other opportunities were more lucrative. Read the subtext. If DoA is really making more money from something that isn't LoL world's then he's been seriously low-balled. DoA should be given what his value provides, and he's not. I don't blame him for rejecting. He might even be rejecting the offer on the grounds that his buddy and co-caster has been treated like crap. I would do that myself, simply to stand up to the douchebaggery of Riot.

What say you now naysayers?

LintheSep 26, 20161 votes

Anyone have any numbers for this.... eg.. What is Monte getting for doing something else during Worlds vs. what Phreak/Riv/QShot/Deficio etc are getting for actually casting Worlds?

TBakesSep 26, 20161 votes

Monte did not get invited because of his past issue with Renegades most likely. But, even if he was invited it is his choice to attend. He made a vlog on YouTube recently that basically said Riot's compensation for these events is grotesquely sub-par. The greater gain is the exposure on such a large stage, but he was waivering on if that is even worth it at this point in his career.

DoA was invited and turned down the offer. That's not Riot's fault. He had other obligations or a better offer for a different event. That's how business works, and I hope he succeeds in his other options.

I sense that between the issues brought up by casters, coaches, owners, and fans, Riot will do some soul searching and figure out an improved system for all of this. It seems like they have been very selfish about esports up to this point and it is starting to bite them in the butt. They already released some information regarding future team compensation, etc. and that is a good start. They basically need to figure out a way to make investments into the ecosystem worthwhile and then figure out how teams can monetize their brand, image, etc. within the actual game so sponsors can benefit from getting on-board with a team. This will raise the quality of the players, coaches, etc. That influx of business will naturally increase the compensation of the casters, production staff, etc.

At the end of the day, Riot will act in their best interest, no one else's. It just so happens that the things that are best for everyone else right now are what is best for Riot in the long run, and they need to recognize that then plan and execute.

MazariamontiSep 26, 20161 votes

What they really need to do is set up sponsors for LCS itself, there is no reason, none. That there are not advertisements playing during game breaks. That revenue should then be split between riot and the teams involved in that league and/or tournament. Riot acts like they should be lauded for not making much, if any money off LCS. It's the opposite, them not making money off LCS is a fucking crime and it's their own fault.

TBakesSep 26, 20161 votes

Yeah, I guess the LCK has Coca-Cola sponsorship. I would love for Taco Bell to sponsor the LCS lol

Miror BSep 26, 20161 votes

Yeah, the reason they're not attending has nothing to do with "compassion". Doa's casting overwatch in korea for much better profit and I'm pretty sure Rito wants monte at worlds the same way WWE wants CM punk at wrestlemania. You should be lucky that papasmithy is going, as according to the latest monty video he was paid on the "low end of fair".

TurquoiseYoshiSep 26, 20161 votes

A note about DoA: Him not being at Worlds is partly due to having the Overwatch thing to do and it possibly paying more, but he's also getting married in late October in Korea.