The regional League of Legends esports scene, a cornerstone of the global competitive gaming environment, is currently embroiled in a controversy that has sent shockwaves through its community. A scandal, purportedly involving match-fixing, has led to an unprecedented investigation by Riot Games. The repercussions of these allegations have put the Vietnam Championship Series (VCS) on pause, disrupting both playoffs and finals as teams and players come under intense scrutiny.
Comprehensive Investigation by Riot Games
Reacting to these allegations, Riot Games has taken decisive action by summoning all eight teams participating in the VCS to the series' broadcast studio for a thorough investigation. As a result of preliminary findings, a temporary suspension has been issued for a staggering 32 players across the board. This decision underscores the severity with which Riot Games is approaching the situation, cementing the company’s commitment to integrity in esports.
Widespread Suspensions Among Pro Players
The gravity of the situation becomes clearer as it’s revealed that up to 80% of VCS players are currently under investigation for match-fixing. The following is an updated list of suspended players, delineating the broad impact across numerous teams:
- Rainbow Warriors: Ky Vuong / Raze, Hoang Nghia / HinieeeC, Trung Hieu / Hyo, Anh Kiet / Yuki, Dinh Khoi / Spot, Van Hau / Artifact, Quoc Hung / K1ller, and Trong Tri / 2T.
- GAM Esports: Đỗ Đình Sang / Blazes and Lê Viết Huy / Pyshiro.
- Team Flash: Lê Minh Dũng / Dzung, Đinh Bùi Quốc Cường / Marcus, Lê Ngọc Toàn / Draktharr, Nguyễn Hoàng Khánh / Jane, and Lương Thành Tài / Puddin.
- Team Secret: Hoàng Công Nghĩa / Eddie and Quách Khánh Hoàng / Qiang.
- Vikings Esports: Lương Hải Long / Gury, Nguyễn Vũ Khang Nguyên / Bunn, Võ Văn Phi / Kairi, and Ngô Đức Khánh / Kratos.
- Cerberus Esports: Nguyễn Đăng Khoa / Pun, Trần Bảo Quang / Ikigai, Nguyễn Hoàng Phú / Richard I, and Nguyễn Huy Hùng / Slowz.
- MGN Blue Esports: Nguyễn Minh Hào / Sorn, Bùi Văn Minh Hải / Froggy, Võ Hoàng Lê Khang / Ryuk, Đào Văn Tuấn / Rigel, and Tiêu Quốc Lương / Zodiac.
- Team Whales: Trần Văn Chính / BeanJ and Lê Ngọc Vinh / Gloryy.
Reputational Damage and Future Prospects
The implications of this scandal extend far beyond the immediate suspensions. The VCS, as a pivotal element of the esports ecosystem, stands at a crossroads. Esports manager Chris Smith and commentator Isaac Cummings Bentley have both publicly expressed their concerns regarding the scandal’s potential to tarnish the reputation of Vietnamese esports. Bentley, in particular, highlighted a possibly endemic issue within the scene—financial insecurity among players, which may inadvertently fuel unethical practices like match-fixing.
In addition to reputational damage, the structural integrity of the VCS itself is under threat. Speculation is rife about a possible merger with another regional league, mirroring the consolidation that previously occurred between the Oceanian League and the North American LCS. Such measures, while drastic, could represent Riot Games’ commitment to preserving competitive integrity at all costs.
Several teams have publicly responded to the ongoing investigations. Rainbow Warriors and MGN Blue Esports have acknowledged their involvement and temporarily ceased competition. Team Whales went a step further by terminating their agreements with BeanJ and Gloryy, both of whom are seeking to clear their names. Meanwhile, Cerberus Esports has stood by its players, vouching for their innocence and pledging cooperation with the investigative authorities.
The fallout from this scandal raises critical questions about the VCS’s participation in forthcoming international events, such as the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). As the esports community watches closely, the VCS’s trajectory remains uncertain. However, league organizers have promised forthcoming updates, suggesting a resolution may be on the horizon.
As the esports world grapples with these developments, the integrity and future of one of its key regional competitions hangs in the balance. The hope remains that through thorough investigations and transparent actions, the VCS can emerge from this scandal stronger, setting a precedent for integrity and resilience in the face of adversity.