RLCS imports spark outrage as Rocket League stars rally behind ‘minor regions’
Rocket League stars are rallying in support of the Sub-Saharan Africa region as imports are unforgivingly taking over.
27th Jun 2024 19:40
Image via RLCS | Michal Konkol
RLCS imports spark outrage as Rocket League stars rally behind ‘minor regions’
Rocket League stars are rallying in support of the Sub-Saharan Africa region as imports are unforgivingly taking over.
27th Jun 2024 19:40
Image via RLCS | Michal Konkol
The new format for the RLCS 2024 format hasn’t been one of complete success. A number of players have expressed their displeasure at the number of major slots per region and the shortened season.
In our most recent interview with OG, Robert "comm" Kyser called for a step back to the 2021-22 format, for example.
But one of the most divisive elements is the lack of region locks, which has allowed full import teams to head to new "minor regions" in the hope of thrashing the lesser-established opposition.
This has caused a meltdown after the RLCS London Major, though, as one import doubled down and “stealing” the SSA Major spot was good for the ecosystem.
VKSailen doubles down on RLCS import rosters 'taking' Major spots
The RLCS London Major officially dumbed down the "minor region" tags for upcoming regions like MENA and South America. The international event set the record as the most diverse LAN in Rocket League history with a four-region Semi-Final.
But there are some regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, which are still developing, and it caused quite a stir as the all-Spanish roster Team Mobula imported to SSA to take a Major qualification spot.
Despite facing backlash before, Mobula's ever-vocal Diego "VKSailen" Isla Serrano doubled down that it is warranted that they "took" the SSA spot.
"Every day I spent in London made me think more that I made the right decision on taking over the SSA spot," he said on X (formerly Twitter).
"None of the minor regions deserve this when other players that deserve it more because of their level or on COVID era lost their opportunity.
"I hope players around the world see what we have done and do the same, going to this minor regions to take their spot until real good players from those continents improve to take their spot back."
But, it's fair to say that this isn't agreed on by others around the world.
Rocket League stars rally behind SSA players amid regional import debacle
According to ShiftRLE and Octane's official ratings, VKSailen was the worst performer of the entire Major, and this was highlighted rather quickly as the reason that invalidates the point, and rather this spot should have been awarded to SSA team so they can gain LAN experience.
"My brother with no due respect you are one of those undeserving players you speak of," blasted former pro and RLCS royalty Dylan "Rizzo" Rizzo.
North American rising star Colby "hockser" James laid into them too, saying, "It's unfortunate with you guys taking the SSA spot we didn't get any more of those "real good players" at London."
"Your record is supposed to be 0-9 my bad," added Twisted Minds player Ahmad "Ahmad" Abdullah.
Even the godfather of Rocket League Garrett "GarrettG" Gordon came to SSA's support, saying, "You are taking away an opportunity from a region, at least be respectful and thankful. The rules are the rules, I can understand that, but acting this way about it is not the move."
Others like Axel "Vatira" Touret, Tyler "Tbates" Bates, Treyven "Lethamyr" Robitaille, and more joined in rallying behind SSA, and it is clear that it might be time for RLCS to consider region locks.
About The Author
Jack Marsh
Jack is an Esports Journalist at GGRecon. Graduating from the University of Chester, with a BA Honours degree in Journalism, Jack is an avid esports enthusiast and specialises in Rocket League, Call of Duty, VALORANT, and trending gaming news.
