G2 Carlos backs Riot over MSI ping dispute

G2 Founder and CEO Carlos “ocelote” Rodríguez has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding the artificial ping at MSI 2022, backing Riot’s decision to implement the controversial tool.

Ping has been the talk of MSI 2022 so far. With LPL representatives and defending MSI champions Royal Never Give Up unable to travel to Busan, Riot Games made the decision to allow RNG to play from their team headquarters in China while introducing an artificial latency on the stage in Busan in the name of competitive balance.

However, numerous players reported that the artificial ping was much higher than the 35ms claimed by Riot, leading the publisher to implement a fix midway through the group and requiring RNG to replay the three games they had already played.

Now, the outspoken G2 Founder ocelote has come out in favour of the decision.

MSI needs the LPL

During a recent AMA on Twitter, ocelote declared his support for Riot’s decision to introduce artificial latency:

“I mean, I’ve played competitively. Yeah, it sucks. You know, you feel the difference slightly, [but] it’s not enough of a reason not to make the tournament happen.”

He immediately doubled down, stressing the necessity to have the LPL at international events like MSI:

“I’d much rather have China playing in the tournament and have everybody with 35 ping, than China not been in the tournament and the tournament becoming a Mickey Mouse tournament.”

RNG are two-time champions at MSI and are looking to become the first team to secure three titles at the event. With China currently home to both the MSI and Worlds champions, the need for the region to be present at international events is clear to many. However, the decision to allow RNG to compete in the first place did not go over without controversy of its own.

Carlos went on to say that it “[took] guts” for Riot to require RNG to replay matches. The move had sparked backlash across the League community, with RNG themselves releasing a lengthy statement respecting but condemning the decision.

However, one of League’s loudest voices has given Riot some much-needed support over their divisive decisions at the tournament. While the issue has been allegedly fixed, all eyes will be on the next stage of MSI as RNG, who went 6-0 in their group, take on T1, G2, Evil Geniuses, PSG Talon, and Saigon Buffalo.

 

Header: Carlos Rodríguez