Cloud9 League of Legends coach Hai Du Lam praises the slow rollout of Fearless Draft in esports and believes the change in format will reinvigorate fan and player engagement in competitive League, even if it means more work for the pros.
"Peyz… It's a bit disappointing"
Hai said that implementing Fearless Draft should be a priority and that it's a necessary step for the League's showrunners to ensure the quality and viewer experience of the LCS — and the League as a whole — remains up to par. "I think it's a really interesting format that promotes a broad champion pool and a diversity of champions," Hai said in an interview with Esports.gg this week.
The LCS is currently enjoying its mid-split break, giving its players and staff time to rest before the road to Worlds 2024 begins again on July 21. During that time, Hai offers a look back at the opening weeks of the split and a focus on the implementation of the Fearless Draft, a format that prevents league teams from picking the same champions game after game in a series and encourages a broader group of champions.
“I believe that as esports, and League esports in particular, continues to grow, adding new things to change how people view the sport is a good thing,” Hai said, adding that it keeps the experience fresh. He also believes it’s up to players to adapt and learn to play within the limitations of the Fearless Draft, as it’s all part of the job. “Ultimately, players don’t have a job if there’s no fans watching. I like things that increase the visibility of the sport and change things for the better.”
