Why LMQ in the LCS will be good for everybody

Late last week, the satirical eSports news site ESEX published an article about opposition to Chinese team LMQ‘s presence in the American League of Legends scene. And while the article doesn’t reflect any real opposition movement, like any satire, it works because there is a kernel of truth to it. There are people on both sides of the Pacific who feel that LMQ, as a Chinese team, should not be playing in the US.

But whether or not they should be in the US, LMQ being there is good for everyone. It’s good for the Chinese League of Legends scene, and it’s also good for the American scene. Here’s why.

Increased competition

Let’s face it: neither China nor North America has really done much to light up the scene when it comes to international competitions. The season one grand finals featured two European teams. The season 2 grand finals featured a Southeast Asian team (no, I’m not counting Taiwan as part of China) and a Korean team. And while one Chinese team did make the finals in season 3, they were thoroughly routed by a dominant SK Telecom T1 K.

Obviously, LMQ’s presence in the US is not going to magically propel North American or Chinese teams to global dominance, but it should make teams in both regions more competitive thanks to the increased flow of information between NA and China. LMQ has already brought Chinese strategies and play-styles to North American shores, and they are surely sharing their experiences here with their friends at home (and in particular, their sister club Royal Club).

(See: An exclusive interview with XiaoWeiXiao: a Chinese pro LoL player in America)

With LMQ yet to achieve LCS promotion and Royal Club struggling to pull itself to the top of the LPL, it’s obvious that the increased contact between American and Chinese teams isn’t going to result in any immediately-apparent performance shifts. But in the long run, the increased and prolonged exposure should only make both sides stronger and more aware of the potential challenges they face when they go into international tournaments.

Increased attention

LMQ’s move to the US should also bring increased attention to both the LCS and the LPL, as Chinese fans tune in to follow the former LPL team in its adventures abroad, and LCS fans who enjoy watching LMQ play decide to check out an LPL match or two to see what that’s all about. (This is as good a time as any for me to not-so-subtly mention that we’re now streaming LPL matches in English).

This is already happening to some extent—major Chinese gaming sites report somewhat frequently on LMQ’s progress in the States, for example—but the effect is likely to be amplified if/when LMQ earns promotion to the LCS and begins playing at the highest level again. This interchange of fans can only help to strengthen the global League of Legends eSports scene.

Increased understanding

And more American fans getting into LMQ and more Chinese fans following the LCS should also lead to more mutual understanding. To be blunt, most Americans—including League fans—don’t know jack about China, and the reverse is also pretty true. LMQ has already done an excellent job of helping turn Chinese teams from something “foreign” into friendly personalities through their openness—their willingness to accept interviews, stream their solo queue games, and even allow a house tour.

When LMQ gets under the LCS spotlight, it could lead to some initial difficulties and friction, especially if their on-stage interviews continue to feature sub-par interpreters. But in the long run, having LMQ in the LCS should make them even more open and accessible than they already are, and that should help American fans get a deeper understanding of Chinese teams and Chinese culture in general. Similarly, LMQ’s performance in the LCS is likely to be closely watched by Chinese League fans, and they should get at least a little more exposure to American culture through the coverage, which will feature quotes and videos from LMQ’s American opponents.

TL;DR it’s all good

I do understand why some people feel that competitors should be restricted to the region of their citizenship, but I think that LMQ’s presence in America is going to do a lot more good than harm. Moreover, I think the integration of foreign teams and players into professional eSports leagues around the world is pretty inevitable, and beneficial. More diverse and integrated leagues should lead to higher levels of play and, in the long haul, an international scene that is not perpetually dominated by Korea.