Photo credit: Jonas Kontautas
The Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) is running all its 2023 LAN tournaments in London this year, with Split 1’s Playoffs having found a home at the Copper Box Arena on the weekend.
However, the EMEA ALGS region fell short of expectations in February’s Split 1 Playoffs, with only three teams qualifying for the finals. Both Acend and Alliance Esports were able to secure third and fifth respectively, with Element 6 finishing in ninth.
In the context of Split 1, the EMEA’s reputation has been somewhat protected by the performances of these teams. However, the future of the region feels somewhat threatened.
Alliance, Acend and Element 6 all displayed impressive gameplay ahead of and during the finals. Meanwhile, other teams such as Jlingz Esports and Vexed Gaming enjoyed notable pop-off moments, despite exiting the competition during the Bracket Stage.
Day one saw Zaine ‘Zain’ Kazi take the crowd’s breath away with two successful 1v3 fights. In the words of his fellow UK teammate, Ali ‘Naghz’ Naghawi, the 18-year-old ‘has proved himself’ on the international stage.
UK player Oscar ‘Yuki’ Jiang took the spotlight on Day Two with a sensational 1v1 fight against TSM’s legendary ‘ImperialHal’, securing a notable win for Alliance. Ahead of the competition Yuki was singled out as UK talent to watch, and he has certainly lived up to expectations.
Both Zaine and Yuki have been singled out by casters, professionals and fans alike for their incredible performances amidst what, to some, feels like a poor showing for the EMEA ALGS region overall.
Proposed plans to scrap regional quotas throw the future of the EMEA ALGS region – and UK pros – into the lurch
While the EMEA ALGS region was able to send a full set of 10 teams to the ALGS this year, their ability to do the same in future tournaments is under threat. Speculation over the introduction of results-based region slots at ALGS Playoffs has been circulating for some time.
ALGS Caster and on-air talent Jon ‘Fallout’ Kefaloukos apparently confirmed these changes on the host desk on day two of the competition, revealing that ‘based on regional performance, teams will be taken away from how many slots they get or given more slots for the invited teams for the next LAN’.
“If EU [EMEA] doesn’t perform as a region, they will only have seven or eight invited teams, and APAC-South can earn an extra two or three,” Fallout said.
The looming threat of losing team spots at LAN events to the most dominant North American region has led to questions surrounding how the EMEA region may be affected.
Following the discussion at the host desk, Alliance coach ‘coldjyn’ responded, saying: “Missing eight of our region[‘s] best players but no we should definitely be punished because of incompetence.”
Vitally, two of the EMEA’s best Apex Legends teams, Fire Beavers and Aurora, could not attend February’s Split 1 ALGS Playoffs due to visa issues. It is debated as to whether further problems in this area could downgrade the EMEA’s apparent abilities to compete.
Primarily, there are worries that lower investment in Apex Legends Esports in regions external to North America will result in regional dominance, spiralling towards regional exclusivity.
Although official details on any changes to ALGS LAN tournament qualifications have yet to be confirmed, professional teams are already preparing for an uphill battle in the EMEA ALGS region. After such impressive performances from some of the UK Apex Legends players, there may need to be adjustments in their path through their professional careers.
As the current season of the ALGS continues, make sure to keep an eye on EA announcements as information on the ALGS LAN tournament performance is released.
Follow the author of this article, Hannah Marie, on Twitter for more Apex Legends esports content
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for companies such as Lionscreed Esports, Esports Insider, and SideQuest Hub she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.
