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As the Overwatch League 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.
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.
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.
The most contentious issue arises from the manner in which seeding was determined.
Five teams secured automatic qualification, while two West teams and one East team fought their way in through play-ins.
This resulted in an uneven balance of regional representation, prompting the league to find a solution.
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.
What’s particularly irksome is that seeding was determined by the draft rather than regular-season performances, leading to widespread frustration across the league.
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.
Criticism has been vocalized, with Florida Mayhem coach Jordan “Gunba” Graham pointing out that the higher seed consistently gets to choose the first map of Control.
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.
For example, the London Spitfire, despite being the last Overwatch 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.
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”.
The impact of this new seeding system extends to on-site practices in Toronto, as certain teams gain an even greater edge.
The venue only accommodates four teams for practice at a time, with seeding determining which teams receive more dedicated server time for scrimmages.
Gunba argues that both seeding and practice time should be based on regular season standings rather than qualification method.
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.”
As tensions rise, teams are compelled to navigate these challenges in their pursuit of the 2023 title.
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.
