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Why are we forced to support our region?

Taeseuk·5/3/2018, 2:20:22 PM·2 votes·960 views

This is twice I have been forced to support a region I simply do not follow/support, first time in the all stars, I do not watch either the eu or na league {the two severs I am on} so I had to choose people based on the little I see them in worlds and other championships and I wasn't able to vote for the people I actually do watch which makes no sense.

Then now with the msi stuff I am once again "forced" to support teams I simply do not follow nor support, so why am I forced to support them? Now before you say you got an icon for free why are you complaining? It's not so much about the icon but what that icon represents, the icon represents a supporter of that team which I am not and given that they are even doing a fandom war now means I am showing support to a team that I don't even know half the players for let alone support in any way.

As league is a world wide sport why are they trying to force us into supporting our region?

8 Comments

ModJikker5/3/2018, 2:25:31 PM4 votes

By default, people are gonna support the region they are in, especially if they don't really follow esports. It makes sense that if you're going to give out an icon for free, you'd give the one most people want which is the one for their region. If they don't want to support their region, then they most likely follow and support esports enough that 250 RP to support someone else is no problem at all.

It's kinda like here in Colorado, I'm going to see a lot of Bronco's gear for sale in stores during football season because most people living in Colorado are Bronco fans. Since I'm not originally from Colorado, I'm a Ravens fan and their gear is a bit harder to come by if at all so since I care enough to support my team, I pay the bit extra to order stuff rather than just run down to the local Target and grab a cheap shirt. I know it's not the same as a free icon and using it to actually support the team for benefits, but it's the same idea and logic as to why Riot is giving it for the region you are playing in.

Does that make sense?

SSmotzer5/3/2018, 2:25:00 PM2 votes

Can't you buy the icons of the teams from other regions?

Arisha the Dark5/3/2018, 3:31:44 PM1 votes

Wow, I'm the only one who pressed "I don't care". I thought there would be more.

Bael the Riser5/3/2018, 3:42:41 PM1 votes

Like everything else in business, its all about the bottom line. Inciting inter-regional competition(s) is one of the best ways to cause people want to do things to such as spending more or playing/participating more to "show" which region is "better" i.e. "NA > EU." Its no different than say West Coast the Best Coast Cali vs E.C. NYC. It causes people to want to do things to

I agree with you though, however we have to remember that MSI isn't Worlds. MSI is about regional pride whereas Worlds is about teams. Otherwise, if I could, I'd choose Home Town China or Glorious Nippon!