{"id":32460,"date":"2023-09-26T01:42:33","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T05:42:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esportbet.com\/?p=32460"},"modified":"2023-09-26T01:42:33","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T05:42:33","slug":"overwatch-league-coaches-frustrated-with-owl-finals-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esportbet.com\/overwatch-league-coaches-frustrated-with-owl-finals-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"Overwatch League coaches frustrated with OWL finals changes"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the Overwatch League<\/a> gears up for the highly anticipated 2023 playoffs, a major format overhaul for the Grand Finals weekend has sparked considerable discontent among coaches and players.<\/p>\n

The intention behind the changes was to level the playing field across all teams, but the outcome has left many with a bitter taste just days before the event kicks off in Toronto on September 28.<\/p>\n

Previously, the league employed a double-elimination format for playoffs; however, the 2023 playoffs are structured into a group stage followed by a single-elimination stage.<\/p>\n

The most contentious issue arises from the manner in which seeding was determined.<\/p>\n

Five teams secured automatic qualification, while two West teams and one East team fought their way in through play-ins.<\/p>\n

This resulted in an uneven balance of regional representation, prompting the league to find a solution.<\/p>\n

In an unprecedented move, the OWL held a draft where teams had the opportunity to choose which opponents they would not face, a decision that has left some coaches bewildered.<\/p>\n

What’s particularly irksome is that seeding was determined by the draft rather than regular-season performances, leading to widespread frustration across the league.<\/p>\n

The seedings in groups, which dictate the team that gets the map pick to start the series, are as follows: Atlanta Reign, Seoul Infernal, Florida Mayhem, London Spitfire, Houston Outlaws, Boston Uprising, Dallas Fuel, and the Hangzhou Spark.<\/p>\n

Criticism has been vocalized, with Florida Mayhem coach Jordan \u201cGunba\u201d Graham pointing out that the higher seed consistently gets to choose the first map of Control. <\/p>\n

This was also the case in previous events, but with the introduction of the new map type, Flashpoint, Control will now only be played once per series.<\/p>\n

For example, the London Spitfire, despite being the last Overwatch<\/a> team to qualify for playoffs, are positioned in fourth place. This grants them map advantages over teams that, based on their performance, they might not have received.<\/p>\n

Gunba expressed his astonishment at this seeding system, deeming London’s fourth-place position “insane” and emphasizing that the Spitfire now enjoy a “huge competitive advantage”.<\/p>\n

The impact of this new seeding system extends to on-site practices in Toronto, as certain teams gain an even greater edge.<\/p>\n

The venue only accommodates four teams for practice at a time, with seeding determining which teams receive more dedicated server time for scrimmages.<\/p>\n

Gunba argues that both seeding and practice time should be based on regular season standings rather than qualification method.<\/p>\n

The Overwatch League responded to GGRecon’s inquiry regarding the scrim issue, stating, “All teams are receiving the same amount of practice time in equivalent facilities.”<\/p>\n

As tensions rise, teams are compelled to navigate these challenges in their pursuit of the 2023 title.<\/p>\n

The impending OWL 2023 playoffs are set to commence on Thursday, September 28, concluding with the crowning of the sixth OWL champions on Sunday, October 1.<\/p>\n

\n

More esports news<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A major format overhaul for the Overwatch League playoffs has sparked considerable discontent among coaches and players.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":21447,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[31,85,1056],"class_list":["post-32460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-overwatch","tag-overwatch-league","tag-owl"],"yoast_head":"\nOWL Finals Changes Not Sitting Well With Coaches, Players<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A major format overhaul for the Overwatch League playoffs has sparked considerable discontent among coaches and players.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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