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NA Live Events in 2015

RiotRiotPDB·1/15/2015, 9:56:04 PM·21 votes·123,995 views

Hey guys,

I’m RiotPDB, and I head up the NA team at Riot. I’d like to provide some insight into our goals and plans when it comes to live community and esports events in NA during 2015.

This past year, we attended more live events in North America than ever before. From Boston to Seattle to Toronto to Atlanta, we had a great time exploring new places and ways to interact with the community in person. We’re still learning and have lots of new things we want to tackle, which means further changes to our event strategy in 2015. Broadly, this year we’re going to shift our focus away from some of the bigger cons and instead experiment with new event formats and, more importantly, new locations.

One of the first changes you’ll see is that we’re toning down our presence at PAX East. We’ve had an amazing time there over the past few years, but this year we’re scaling our presence down to speaker panels and the Cospitality Lounge for all the hardworking cosplayers. Similarly, there’ll also be a shift on the esports side as we won’t be hosting the NA LCS 2015 summer playoffs at PAX Prime in Seattle. PAX has been an awesome host for the finals the past two seasons, but this year we’re exploring ways to bring that experience to even more players across NA.

So what’s the upside? Well, you can expect at least five live League events across the US and Canada in 2015, and likely more. The specifics will vary between dedicated esports events and broader NA community events built around things like collegiate play or specific League topics (content creation, cosplay, etc), but the goals will be the same - to give players an ideal setting for sharing their passion for League with each other.

When it comes to esports, this year we’re planning to bring LCS to more esports fans across North America. This means more stops and events outside of the West Coast and more opportunities for esports fans across the region to join us for live events. Additionally, refocusing away from existing conventions like PAX gives us the chance to create a tailored experience for League players and esports fans, with venue setups specifically optimized for the live esports experience rather than the space and logistical restrictions that come along with being part of an existing con. Check out today’s announcement about our Mid-Season Invitational and All-Star 2015 for a sneak peek at just a few of the events we’ll be sharing more details on soon.

As the NA event scene continues to evolve, we want to make sure we’re hosting amazing live events for League in different locations (all across the US and Canada) and for all types of players. While that means you might not always see us at the same events every year, it also means we can explore new venues and opportunities. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as we finalize our plans and give you plenty of advance notice for events, so keep an eye out for announcements on Boards and lolesports.com.

As always, we’d love your continued feedback as we provide further updates. Whether you’re most interested in meeting pros, chatting with content creators, seeing cosplay, or watching matches (or all of the above!), make sure to let us know and help us put together kickass League events in 2015.

138 Comments

Tyrannoscoreus1/15/2015, 10:53:32 PM30 votes

My $0.02 as someone who attended last year's regionals at PAX Prime: you need to do something to make going to a live event special, beyond the atmosphere that's provided by the fans and the fact that the players are vaguely nearby. After watching a bunch of the games live, I ended up watching the finals via wifi from my hotel room by choice: sitting at the live event I had to crane my head in one direction for uncomfortably long periods of time, and in terms of what Riot was providing (so not counting the atmosphere), I wasn't getting anything out of the experience that I couldn't get from just watching the Twitch stream in the comfort of my own room.

My suggestion would be to find some way to approximate the live experience in traditional sports. One of the cool things about going to a soccer match, for example, is that you can watch whatever you want; you're not limited by what the camera is choosing to show you. So if you really like one player, you can watch that guy for the entire game, even when the ball is elsewhere. In League, the easiest way to do this would be with screens. Obviously, you're always going to want one massive central screen that's showing all the action. But you could have smaller screens on either side that show each individual player's in-game perspective, too. That would add a lot to the live viewing experience, as the ADC mains can watch their favorite ADC all game (for example) and really appreciate their play, rather than being stuck watching the main stream and missing a lot of the regular bot lane laning phase. But of course, people who just want to see the action could do that too.

Alternatively, you could use some extra screens to display real-time stats, or have the item purchases and player/team gold charts given their own permanent screens so that live viewers who want to can keep closer track of that stuff, and not have to wait for the Twitch stream to check in on it to get that info. I think this is core to the live sporting experience, and it ought to be core to the live esports experience too: the viewer should get total access to the game, and the freedom to watch what they want to watch.

If physical screens in the venue isn't a viable option, another thing you could do would be to offer an LCS Live app that viewers could log into to watch those individual streams (if you can get decent wifi at the venue, which I know is very hard) or at the very least maybe have access to real-time stats. You could also consider some in-game rewards. I know you do give out skins at some events, but I'm talking something more like a custom icon for people who logged in to your app at an LCS live event. Or even do something weirder like have fans be able to choose their favorite player before each game, and then have them receive the amount of IP that player earned from that game.

These are all just ideas and some of them would require a lot of effort, but even if you're not going to adopt any of them, I think Riot needs to think seriously about the live experience at these events, and what value it's providing users during the actual games. Ideally, the live viewing experience should have a great atmosphere (I suspect this is part of why you're leaving PAX, where viewers are torn between League and the rest of the show), but it should also offer something more to live viewers: more angles, more access, more data, more rewards, whatever. But I think it's definitely something you should be thinking hard about.

MythStorm241/15/2015, 10:09:53 PM11 votes

Please do some kind of League event in Vancouver sometime. Crossing the border for PAX gets annoying. :p

Explorer Ward1/15/2015, 10:12:47 PM8 votes

please go to NYC!!!!

MostlyAdequate1/15/2015, 10:53:39 PM7 votes

You know what sucks? Buying pax tickets for the purpose of the riot booth that has been awesome the past few years. Why announce this now? Why not before pax tickets were on sale where you had been an anchor for awhile.

MzG Tweety1/15/2015, 10:18:34 PM7 votes

Go to Montreal, Quebec? Its not been show a lot but they're still some French Canadian here! :D

CamQuatch1/15/2015, 10:24:45 PM7 votes

Please Toronto!!!!

Sonicfiend1/16/2015, 12:34:23 AM6 votes

Just want to say that I completely agree and disagree with this post.

As a Canadian who was introduced to league at PAX prime 3 years ago, I have had the pleasure of watching the game and the spectacle of esports grow at the event. From how crazy it was at PAX in 2014 I have no doubt that you have outgrown the venue and the event. As well, I am sure part of the reason the Prime tickets sell out in 5 min if because it’s the only way to see this tournament.

You guys want to do your own thing, be your own event. To be honest, I have some faith that you guys can pull it off. But it sucks because Prime won’t be nearly as awesome without you there…. and I doubt I can do two expensive tips like this a year.

The spectacle of PAX prime over 4 days is what I spend thousands of dollars to attend. Is prime still worth it without League… maybe... But does League offer the same value without PAX? I don’t know, probably not. When I was visiting LA I took it upon myself to see a live event at the studio. Tickets were cheap and I was already there. It was an awesome cool novelty, but I would never travel specifically to do that. Perhaps if you guys held the events separate from PAX but still in Seattle and still on those days, so people can CHOOSE to do both in the same trip?

I understand that by breaking out of these events and traveling, you are giving MORE fans MORE opportunity to see an event and that’s great. But it feels like a lottery now, will it be close enough to me to warrant a trip JUST to watch league?

I guess I also want to mimic some of tyrannoscoreus post, If you want to convince me to leave the tundra of Canada and spend my hard earned, grossly undervalued, currency just to watch a e-sports event live…. It better be A LOT more than just an esports event.

I look forward to your next live event in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada =-)

ArcaneFox1/16/2015, 2:09:04 AM6 votes

I am so upset by this news. As someone who has put quite a bit of money in tickets, hotel and travel to go to PAX East, and just NOW hearing this news, its uspetting. Riot Booth is the main reason I go to PAX. Now, I could care less to be honest. Not only that, but I cosplay, and tend to spend $100-200 on a cosplay easy. This year is not exception. I work so, so hard on making a nice cosplay that I can show off ON STAGE and its all worth it. Not to mention, Riot has generously given us cosplayers gift bags. It makes me feel appreciated, and like my time and money was worth it all.

I ask, will you be doing anything for us cosplayers at PaxEast other than the cosplitality lounge? Don't get me wrong, its a fantastic place to go and I tell so many people about it and how kind of Riot it is to have this. Is there any way that you can still host a cosplay show sort of like a panel, and will there be any sort of thank you gift to those cosplaying? So much hard work and I feel like its completely wasted.

I don't mean to sound whiny, this is just a huge shock, and a little late to be telling us now. So, so, so many people go to PAX for Riot and we paid for it all back in November.

Please don't fully abandon places like PAX. Live events and esports are great, but sometimes I think Riot focuses too much on esports.

Sigh. I just want to cry :(

Arctic Wolf1/15/2015, 11:05:37 PM5 votes

How about an East Coast even that isn't PAX East? Like, something along the lines of when LCS went to London's Wembley Stadium. As much as I love Boston (living 30 mins from the city) and as much as I hate to say it, New York/New Jersey area would make the most sense for a few reasons:

-It's in the vicinity of the largest city in the US, so traveling there & hotel accommodations won't be difficult for travelers. -There are over a dozen major sports teams located in the area and as such procuring a stadium venue shouldn't be too difficult. -It isn't on foreign soil, so visa issues won't be a problem. -It isn't so far south as to deter our friendly neighborhood East Coast Canadians from driving down if they so choose. -A sell-out event (especially if in something like Yankee Stadium or Madison Square Garden) would make a lot of headlines -Riot already has a New York office (even if it is on the small side) -Hanging out in NYC with fellow summoners would be awesome!

Just my thoughts here, but I'd be super stoked for any major east coast league event!

HeyBriansOn1/15/2015, 11:21:01 PM4 votes

Curious as to why you decided to tell us after tickets were purchased. I'm going to pax east and some of my buddies are going solely for league. This isn't just a thing we can shrug off. Pax is expensive and the lack of notification is kinda wrong. I don't think you're obligated to notify us but after last years amazing setup at pax east, it is a huge let down. Is riot going to even have a booth? And is east coast going to be getting any love with these "new opportunities" for events?

goblue97981/15/2015, 10:32:09 PM4 votes

Madison Square Garden for the Mid-Season Invitational! The Knicks won't be needing it for NBA playoffs games!

LUS Montplaisir1/21/2015, 10:21:29 PM4 votes

I dislike saying it but I personally feel, as a consumer, that I will never be in an area where Riot will be having an event. Riot events are typically clustered around the largest urban centers, near which I live not at all. I'm also Canadian, which means having a Riot anything is both unlikely and unexpected. Places like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are the ideal places to have these events, but the shortest drive for me to get to one of these places is 23 hours. The price of getting there is anywhere between 350$ to 1000$+. So what I guess my point actually is, if you guys do decide to do something Canada, it would be nice if you could manage to get out to some of the other cities and centers and give us some love too :P (In the case of Toronto: think London/Windsor/Barrie/Kingston). PS: I hail originally from Windsor, and they juuuust so happen to be the largest border crossing between Canada and the US, and they have a nice fancy new convention center ;)

Cutethulhu5/15/2015, 1:54:05 PM4 votes

are you going to the Fan expo in toronto???

CaffeinatedTank1/16/2015, 11:08:39 PM4 votes

Shame you won't have a booth presence at PAX East, but I am curious about your other plans. Guess I'll have to stay tuned.

That said, one minor question comes to mind: are you still doing event skins (such as the Riot skins), or are those being downplayed as well? Would be nice to know before my friends inevitably start repeatedly asking, "Hey can you pick me up some skin codes at PAX East?" again. Now that I say it, I'm actually not sure which answer I'd prefer to hear. -_-

BRIXBRI1/16/2015, 12:11:15 AM4 votes

I think I'm in the same disappointed boat as a lot of ppl. I was mostly excited for League/Riot presence at PAXeast: the booth/events, talking with the employees, and the after party. I personally didn't get into the panels because of the demand.. and this year they're saying that attendance will be doubled.. so GL getting into League panels.

I do understand the costs of booths though, and by saving money there you have budget for other places. It just sucks since that was what highlighted last year for me. I really hope there is an after party again. That was the thing I remember most about 2014, and I really hope to see the employees and other players I met last year again. Living in the Midwest I have to choose where I go, cause I cannot afford more than one of these trips a year, and there isn't any conventions you see Riot at here in MN.

None the less I'm going! (airfare and passes are paid for) and I will still have a blast, there is more than just league :) Cosplaying for the first time!

Thank you for the heads up Riot. Better then getting there and looking for a non-existing booth :p

-Brix

TerraRising1/15/2015, 11:40:22 PM3 votes

Will Riot make a presence at Anime Expo? Seeing and meeting many of you there was awesome... in addition to the cosplay gathering. I hope Riot continues their support of this convention as well as their desire to attend new ones.

Stadium Love2/25/2015, 12:02:05 AM3 votes

Greetings. I was recommended by Riot Support to post here about my issue that I sent them feedback on last month, so here goes: (Copy and Pasted from Support Email) " PAX South Complaint:

You guys really disappointed me at PAX South. Not only me... but many Riot fans. You cancelled a Panel, didn't have a booth, or give out any sort of merch to your fans who waited hours in a long line just to see the panel which you guys didn't cancel.

Now look, I am extremely greatful that we at least got the panel you provided. It was informative, laid back, and fun, like i have always pictured you guys. We got to do a meet and greet at the end too. I got to ask questions face to face with riot champ devs and it was really cool!

With that said... you guys have tons of southern fans who never would get a chance to go to a Riot event if it wasn't for PAX coming south (me included). I really wanted to experience the same experiences I hear about from other PAX events. I wanted to get a chance to snag some of those amazing PAX Skins I have wanted for years and years! I wanted to see an awesome Riot booth and get the full Riot treatment that I hear about.

I heard at PAX east you guys gave away skins in the swag bag to everyone! We didn't get a single skin! Its just so disappointing. It really feels like you guys didn't care much for this PAX, your southern fans, or the southern market in general.

I have attached pictures that I took (sorry for potato quality) of the line, the panel, and the meet and greet. These were good fun... but man... I really wish you guys acted like this was a big deal. It sure was to all of us southerners who FINALLY got a chance to go to PAX for the first time ever. We didn't even get PAX skins, which you guys gave out like candy at past events... bummer... I hope next year you guys treat PAX South with more respect.... and your fans too.

Sincerely,

Turtletug... a disappointed fan.

PS: I made a reddit thread about it: http://www.reddit.com/r/leagueoflegends/comments/2tky7r/pax_south_disappointment/

Attachment(s) 20150124_151351.jpg 20150124_172604.jpg 20150124_174554.jpg 20150124_174603.jpg 20150124_174601(0).jpg 20150124_174559.jpg

"

You can see the images im sure if you contact the support department and look up the following ticket: (#15785286)

They are just images of the huge crowd and the event itself.

While the above ticket was made months ago, I am still very raw about this issue. Especially hearing about all of the amazing features you guys are having at PAX East... Actually having a booth... probably giving away skins. I will be pretty hurt when all of the awesome stuff that happens at PAX East gets on reddit. Make sure to check out the reddit thread.

My support response if you were curious: " SunSoleil (Riot Games Player Support) Feb 24, 15:35

Hey Summoner,

I completely understand your feelings about our presence at PAX South. Because Player Support does not have a hand in deciding what events we have a presence, I suggest checking out this link and leaving your feedback where the event Rioters can see it:

http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/miscellaneous/eW1esQvu-na-live-events-in-2015

Stay Classy, Summoner! ☀ SunSoleil ☀ Riot Games Player Support Escalation Specialist "

Gwen Stacy1/15/2015, 10:34:34 PM3 votes

Do something in Texas ;-; Nothing ever happens in Texas.

deathofall846/1/2015, 6:42:38 PM3 votes

I have seen plenty of complaint as to the downsizing of the PAX East presence but little to no address of the fact that PAX Prime, aptly named as their primary and first venue, is all together losing the presence of league. We not only lose the finals but as far as I have read there will be zero Riot presence at this convention. I personally spent years hearing about PAX as a Seattlite and never attended till I got into League and found out it was a large presence there. Don't get me wrong I hold a love for many other titles, systems, and companies who present there, and had a fantastic time when I went last year. However I spent a good chunk of my time in the league space enjoying the games meeting other players and actually meeting my main duo partner for the first time thanks to Leagues presence. With Riot completely abandoning this event, and not only the event but the coast for the finals, I feel little need to attend a Con which I can watch the live streams for most of the experience and information I got out of it. Don't get me wrong the NYC venue sounds fantastic for the eSports side of this and it will be packed either way but you will lose a Large number of the travelers for this kind of betrayal. It honestly doesn't make much sense to me for a company who is based in LA, the exact opposite corner of the country to host it's North American final that far away from home.

Lizdeath1/18/2015, 5:17:45 AM3 votes

Take my name down if you plan to do anything in the Toronto area, I am more than happy to volunteer, and I do have experience in running convention activities and administration.

You will quickly find that running bigger events will require more hands than is reasonable to have travelling, and that if you can get reliable volunteers involved, it will make your lives a LOT easier. You will also find that appropriately appreciating your volunteers will go a long way in retaining good ones.

TheSleepingOne1/16/2015, 3:26:00 AM2 votes

I can clearly say I am disappointed at the fact that Riot won't have a booth at PAX East this year. I look forward meeting up with Rioters every time they have a booth at an event that I can go to. I am sadden by the fact I can't talk to Rioters such as ChiefWizardKing, GrumpyMonkey, OhMikeGoodness, and Aklaen at PAX East, I still hope to see you guys at future events/ conventions. I just want to know though, would Riot be having booths at other conventions this year or are you guys not going to have any presence at all at anime/gaming conventions throughout NA and just focusing on League only events?

On a side note, from what I read, you guys are focusing on more of the E-Sport side and the group of fans/ players that follow it, but what about the casual players that just play for fun? Are you guys going to have a less focus on those players who don't follow the E-Sport scene (I got some friends who don't follow but play the game every night)?

Kürama1/15/2015, 9:59:55 PM2 votes

I like it.

Sleiphner1/16/2015, 3:48:35 AM2 votes

As someone who's been attending the larger convention scene (PAX Prime and PAX East), I will say that the overall presence at Prime was very lacking. And I know that's because many of the higher end community figures like IronStylus and Ohmikegoodness were taken to the convention in Toronto. But when you guys were at East--man was that an experience to itself. It's very rare that I get to hang out with not just those two, but ALL of your great creative minds like The Bravo Ray, Ezreal, Katie DeSousa and I was really hoping to see and congratulate other friends who have now made it with the best of the best like Ford DeCastro and Riot Wastella, and I know some of these minds are no longer with Riot but that's okay too. Regardless, East felt like it was such a great attempt to reach out to the community, to feel like the fans mattered most and not just from an aspect of "These are our tournaments, check them out!" but from the view of "We are showing YOU how much we appreciate YOU! Come talk to us! Come play games with us! Come to an after party or a pub crawl with us! Sure it's crowded and we could have planned this out a little better but WE WANT TO MEET YOU!"

And I don't mean to say that's what is going on here either, that you are trying to cut yourself off from the non-tournament fan base like myself, but it just feels like an event that I pump myself and friends up for every year (well, two) in PAX is now being undershot with "Well, Riot won't be there. That's a bummer. But there are all of these great things that weren't Riot (minus some of the really awesome personalities you could attach the game to)." I mean, really, has anyone gotten to meet IronStylus and felt he has been anything BUT one of the most genuine people and uplifting personalities you could have reach out to you? And again, that's only one example of a long lineup of people you've got on hand.

DaleDenton4201/16/2015, 5:32:39 AM2 votes

Man this is kinda wack. I've loved previous riot booths at pax east and prime. One of the main reasons why I go to pax. And seeing how I already bought pax east passes, this is a huge bummer to my weekend plans. Always have loved interacting with workers and players who are around. Kind of bummed about this. Understand all the business aspects when it comes to a decision like this but hopefully you guys don't have "league only" conventions or something like that because that would be just another bummer. Knowing it will most likely be on the west coast and east coasters are going to get the shaft. Pax east was the few times riot was even around in the east coast. Huge bummer.

xAvacynx1/16/2015, 10:42:43 PM2 votes

I am defiantly to say the least disappointed... Riot is my main reason for going to Pax East every year... I spent a lot just to go. (Had to spend more because I had to get each day separate due to scalpers buying the 3 days.). I always look forward to talking with the Rioters, taking pictures, watching the big screen as the amazing artists at Riot draw out skins and what not. The main thing I loved is the cosplay contest... I am not big with the whole e sports theme but I do love playing League with my friends. I love the fun grab bags you give out and always compliment Riot on giving back to their fans. People work on their League costumes way in advance for things like this putting time and money into it... so I am sure I am not the only one upset. I don't blame you because I am sure there was a big discussion on what would happen... it does break my heart however. In any case wish something could change, even a smaller booth or something. The riot booth is where I spend 75% of my time at PAX East. The after party last year especially was also amazing. I do appreciate you guys still putting up the cosplay lounge.

BloodyBlondeBabe1/17/2015, 4:46:12 PM2 votes

Pardon my colloquialism, but saying that you knew about your limited attendance at PAX East 2 months in advance is bullshit on rails. It does not make sense even logistically. Beyond speaking of contracting with whomever will be leading your panels, I'm fairly certain that booking with PAX itself had to be done before tickets went on sale. Those things are not being prepared just 2 months in advance. You guys are an international company, one of the biggest games worldwide right now and you cannot make PAX and nationwide events happen? I've heard that you are compensating for this by having a photographer in a cosplay lounge. It does not help much. Cosplayers are just a small group of LoL fans. How about actual players and supporters of the game? You have really disappointed a lot of us.

Mediocre Joe1/20/2015, 9:21:33 PM2 votes

like probably a bunch of others my main goal for going to PAX East/Prime is to see league of legends I like the atmosphere as well as people playing games in front of the venue and cheering them on, I think this is a bad move. you could tone your booth down and not make it as big but still have a presence at pax. I would really love to see some LCS event on the east coast though like have a weekend where all the pro teams come to the east coast for a weekend. I feel we are largely left out except for PAX east .

Fęderico2/24/2015, 2:02:42 PM2 votes

So does this mean no skins will be given out? I'm going on the assumption no booth means no skins, but I don't really mind. An answer would be greatly appreciated!

Swood Grompet2/27/2015, 12:49:58 AM2 votes

I just read this after buying PAX East tickets back in (whenever they first went on sale) specifically for LoL. Well, this sucks. It was going to be our first PAX, and we were all pretty excited. I already had to sell one to a stranger because one of my friends didn't want his ticket anymore. item 3070 Our happiness is about as dead as DFG, but it'll be fine this year.

Fallenone5231/16/2015, 3:20:50 PM1 votes

The news on PAX East is very disappointing to hear but I understand why they're doing it. Last year Riots booth made the show for me and my girlfriend because its the game we both love and play together all the time. I'll still be cosplaying as a League character this year and hopefully I can run into other fans and rioters along the way. My question is will the after party still be happening? I'd really like to attend it if it is because last year I wasn't able to go on the account I didn't have a league cosplay on (Jace Beleren) and didn't want the twitter raffle.