LoL Esports Spoilers are a Problem
TL;DR - Hide spoilers/outcomes by default and add option to remove twitter feed from live stream. I want to feel a sense of CONNECTION
When I watch a competition (physical or esports, card or board games, etc. - doesn't matter), I watch it for the EXCITEMENT. If I want to know the outcome, I'll search for the results. If I want to see mechanics, I'll search for a specific video. Knowing who wins before I watch the game takes all that excitement - the anxiety of seeing if my favorite team can mount a comeback or the joy of watching an amazing play - and crushes it into oblivion before it has a chance to grow. I specifically avoid the LoL Esports website and viewing portal because it RUINS EVERYTHING.
Main Page: The above means I'm barred from the official portal to competitive LoL. Going to the page tells me who wins. Even if i click "hide spoilers" immediately, it doesn't appear in time for my eyes to avoid taking in the information presented on the screen. (Un)fortunately for me, computers load faster than I can click.
Live View: The live stats and twitter feed are fantastic, don't get me wrong on that. They do provide a greater sense of immersion and community. There's even an option to hide/remove the live stats entirely! Why not the ability to hide/remove the twitter feed? The feed gives away spoilers too! Because of the twitter feed, I often find myself viewing from third party sites (mainly youtube or twitch) instead, and missing the immersion provided by the live stats. Sometimes people come late, have to pause, or anything else that prevents them from viewing live, and this twitter feed ruins any semblance of SURPRISE and EXCITEMENT.
Story: I had come late to view the C9 v TiP matchup. To avoid spoilers I immediately paused/backtracked in the recording and removed the live stats. 2 minutes into me watching game 1 the twitter feed reads something along the lines of "#C9 reverse sweep is real!" (not an exact quote). Without any other information on the series I know TiP won the first 2 games and C9 won at least game 3, but more likely (given the time at the moment) game 4. Sure, I still get to watch the Silver Scrapes game, and it was fantastic, but I was robbed of the DREAD of C9 - my favorite NA team since they were in challenger - losing their chance at a Cinderella story and the HOPE that came with games 3 and 4. My immersive experience and sense of connection to the competition was TAKEN by an innocent and well-meaning tweet.
RIOTPLS: Hide spoilers by DEFAULT and add the OPTION to hide the twitter feed
Thanks, theblasnsnsation
P.S. I started playing in college, now that I've graduated I have to work more and have less time to play. I get my LoL fix by watching. I love LoL. I love LoL because of the gameplay, but the reason I love LoL is because of what it's done for the world.
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LoL has made esports REAL to the world. LoL has made it more possible for people across the WORLD to CONNECT and COOPERATE on a unified goal regardless of physical, cultural, or linguistic barriers. LoL is MORE THAN A GAME for its players, but a GLOBAL SYMBOL for importance of collaboration.
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LoL has made it possible for people who, in the past, would not be able to participate or compete with others. You don't need open space for a field or court; you don't need to be strong, tough, or tall; you don't need to buy activity-specific equipment; you don't need to be restricted by gender; you don't need to be near a facility; you don't even need friends/acquaintances/community nearby/willing/able to participate. All you need is access to a computer with an internet connection. That's what makes LoL (esports in general) special. That's why allowing people to be feel included is important - because they can be.
If you've persevered enough to read this far, I'd like to ask a question. What does LoL mean to you?
EDIT: This was the best category the posting prompt gave me when I was submitting. I don't think it belongs on this part of the boards