TenZ Criticizes Riot Games’ Outdated Equipment, Claiming League of Legends Can Run on a Potato
On the surface, it may seem like Riot Games, the developer of the enormously popular MOBA League of Legends, provides top-notch equipment and facilities for players at their major esports tournaments. However, according to pro player Tyson “TenZ” Ngo of the Sentinels organization, this is not always the case.
TenZ recently spoke out about the main issue – the outdated hardware that Riot uses at their biggest LoL events, to the point where he claimed that the game can basically run on a “potato” computer. This raises questions about Riot’s commitment to ensuring the best possible competitive environment for their premier esports competitions. While Riot spares no expense in creating grand stages and elaborate productions for their LoL tournaments, it appears they may be neglecting the fundamental necessity of providing players with high-performance, modern equipment. As one of the world’s top LoL pros, TenZ’s criticism carries significant weight and shines a light on an area where Riot could improve the overall player experience at their marquee events. Addressing concerns over outdated hardware should be a priority for Riot as they continue to grow their LoL esports ecosystem.
Valorant Pro TenZ Criticizes Riot’s Outdated Tournament Equipment, Calling for Urgent Hardware Upgrades
According to a report from the prominent esports news outlet Dexerto, Sentinels pro player Tyson “TenZ” Ngo recently took to his live stream to voice his concerns about the outdated equipment that Riot Games provides for players at their major esports tournaments. In the clip that Dexerto highlighted, TenZ can be heard complaining in no uncertain terms about the subpar hardware that Riot uses at their events. He explained that the monitors and other components they provide lag significantly behind the latest technology, often being several generations old and much worse than the high-end gear the pros use in their day-to-day practice and competition. TenZ went so far as to suggest that Riot uses the same aging equipment for both their League of Legends and Valorant tournaments, which he believes is completely unacceptable given the vastly different performance requirements of the two games. As he put it jokingly, “LoL can be played even on a potato,” implying that the outdated rigs Riot provides should be more than capable of running League of Legends without issue.
However, the same cannot be said for the demands of Valorant, a fast-paced tactical shooter that requires lightning-fast reflexes and precision. TenZ, who is one of the world’s premier Valorant players, intimately understands the importance of having the best possible equipment to be able to compete at the highest level. In his view, Riot is doing a disservice to Valorant pros by outfitting them with the same substandard hardware as the LoL players. This issue is particularly relevant and concerning as the Valorant Champions 2024 event approaches. TenZ doesn’t seem optimistic that Riot will do anything to address the players’ concerns about the tournament equipment in time for the August 1st start date. Even if they did decide to upgrade the hardware, he doubts they would be able to replace all the outdated components before the event kicks off. TenZ’s pointed criticism shines a bright light on an area where Riot could significantly improve the overall competitive experience for the pros participating in their flagship esports events. As one of the world’s top League of Legends and Valorant players, his comments carry substantial weight and underscore the need for Riot to prioritize providing modern, high-performance equipment for their tournament competitors.
It’s worth noting that this is not the first time Riot has faced scrutiny over the quality of their tournament infrastructure. In the past, players have complained about issues like unstable servers, technical difficulties, and other logistical problems that have impacted the integrity of Riot’s marquee events. However, the equipment concerns raised by TenZ strike at the very core of what professional players need to perform at their best – reliable, cutting-edge hardware. The irony is that Riot spares no expense in creating grand stages, elaborate productions, and massive prize pools for their LoL and Valorant tournaments. They clearly have the resources to ensure the best possible competitive environment for their esports athletes. Yet, according to TenZ and other pro players, Riot appears to be dropping the ball when it comes to the fundamental necessity of providing high-end equipment. This disconnect between Riot’s lavish event presentations and the substandard hardware they use has not gone unnoticed by the broader esports community. Many fans and analysts have expressed frustration over the years, arguing that Riot should be investing more in the core infrastructure that underpins their competitive ecosystems.
As Valorant continues to grow in popularity and cement its status as a premier esports title, the pressure on Riot to address these equipment issues will only intensify. Players like TenZ, who have established themselves as among the best in the world, will not hesitate to speak out and hold the publisher accountable. Riot would be wise to heed these warnings and take concrete steps to ensure their tournaments are equipped with the latest and greatest hardware available. Failing to do so could not only tarnish the reputation of Riot’s esports programs, but also potentially impact the careers and livelihoods of the very players who drive the excitement and engagement around these events. The onus is on Riot to demonstrate that they are truly committed to providing world-class competitive conditions for their esports athletes.
