Ben “Draggles” Forbes, community specialist meme master, UK scene supporter and Riot Games’ very own Ed Sheeran, is leaving Riot EU for a new role in Los Angeles.
Draggles has worked at Riot’s Dublin office (and the now-closed Brighton office) over the past few years, where he’s done a brilliant job as part of the English community team.
He said in a Twitlonger post: “September 14th will be my last day at Riot Dublin. I’ll be heading out at the end of the month to Los Angeles to join the communications team on League of Legends. It’s gonna be hot, and I am ginger as fuck.
“The last two and a half years in the English team have been incredible – and sincere thanks to everyone I’ve worked with in that time. Most of my responsibilities will be in the (mostly) capable hands of @ThePeacePigeon, god save you all.
“While I likely won’t be at any events in Europe in the foreseeable future, I will likely be at the world finals in LA if any of you west coast types want to hang out. My Twitter will be just as terrible, but eight hours behind. If you have any questions, let me know! DMs are always open.”
YouTuber ThePeacePigeon will be replacing Draggles – and he’s already been hard at work.
This is what @ThePeacePigeon has been degraded to with Riot Games pic.twitter.com/ZIKPGhqPoD
— MagikarpUsedPAX (@themattcastro) August 27, 2016
The community reacted to Draggles’ departure
@bedraggles “mostly capable hands.” That’s honestly the biggest compliment you have given me yet.
— ThePeacePigeon (@ThePeacePigeon) September 7, 2016
First @ValgarReinhart and now Draggles. Who is left to save the UK scene? https://t.co/oPEiLvtxlG
— Ben Hosford (@Hosselote) September 7, 2016
@bedraggles omg, we will miss you at UK events :((( Thanks for all your work buddy <3
— Joe Kent (@Joekerism) September 7, 2016
@bedraggles take the UK scene with you pls
— Megz (@Megzo0m) September 7, 2016
MFW Draggles is too important to talk to me anymore cause he’s at Riot Santa Monica pic.twitter.com/lfSxGk0pF0
— Chef Lu Bu@Dragoncon (@Chef_Lu_Bu) September 7, 2016
@bedraggles @UberDanger @ThePeacePigeon why are you leaving us in EU u fuk
— Kelly Jean (@kellyjeaaann) September 7, 2016
@Ped_lol pls never call me this
— Ben / Draggles (@bedraggles) September 7, 2016
@bedraggles Well done dude, gonna be sad to not have the passionate draggles around the uk scene
— Huzzy (@HuzzyGamesLoL) September 7, 2016
@bedraggles how will you cope without the uk scene
— Seb Barton (@numlocked) September 7, 2016
@bedraggles So basically, you were replaced by a different ginger? You will be missed, UK Meme daddy. Good luck!
— Kotney (@McKotney) September 7, 2016
@bedraggles dislike
— Tundra | Jamie (@followTundra) September 7, 2016
@bedraggles We need you to call out whoever’s spreading bullshit in the UK scene! Don’t leave us!
— Bart Wessels (@PariaBartiono) September 7, 2016
@moobeat @bedraggles he’s bringing dem fresh EU memes across the pond.
— Riot Zwill (@andybelford) September 7, 2016
@bedraggles I got excited then I realized you’re just going to LA.
— Daniel Drakos (@lolTsepha) September 7, 2016
Draggles also thanked his team.
.@bedraggles huge props to the English team. Amazing people, great Rioters @RiotYuka @RiotNavigator @RiotHusker @BoltonLoL @ThePeacePigeon
— Ben / Draggles (@bedraggles) September 7, 2016
But he ain’t gonna leave the UK LoL scene behind that easily.
@eSports_News_UK you have my word.
— Ben / Draggles (@bedraggles) September 7, 2016
@Kr1z309 i am still gonna follow the UK scene very closely. i actually love it
— Ben / Draggles (@bedraggles) September 7, 2016
Farewell Draggles, so long and thanks for all the memes.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
