The launch of the "New Era" version was like throwing a giant stone into a calm lake, stirring up layers of ripples. The brand-new talent system brought unprecedented strategic depth, and players enthusiastically discussed various strange yet practical talent combinations. The debut of aphelios sparked a wave of research and development, his complex weapon mechanism captivating high-level players and professional competitors alike. The optimization of the map and visuals also revitalized Summoners Rift.
After nearly a month of adaptation and adjustment, players and professional teams gradually became familiar with the rhythm and ecosystem of the new version. New tactical systems began to emerge, and the hierarchy of hero strength quietly shifted. It was upon this "New Era" soil that a grander plan began to brew on the top floor of Riot Games headquarters.
Qin Feng stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the bustling city traffic. The immense success of the domestic Star Sea Cup tournament, coupled with the positive feedback from the new version, convinced him that the time was ripe to push league of legends onto a broader stage.
He pressed the internal communication button: "Haoming, come to my office."
Shortly after, Lin Haoming pushed the door open, a knowing smile on his face: "President Qin, is this about that matter?"
Qin Feng turned around and nodded, a sharp gleam in his eyes: "The domestic market and competitive level have been validated, and the new version provides a relatively fair and unpredictable competitive environment. The time has come to launch the 'Star Sea Cup World Invitational'."
The two sat down on the sofa, a world map spread out on the coffee table before them.
"The scale shouldn't be too large; after all, this is the first attempt. We must ensure the quality and watchability of the tournament," Qin Feng said, tapping the map with his finger. "My initial thought is to invite eight top teams from eight regions. Aside from our home region, we will invite seven others."
Lin Haoming pondered for a moment, then said: "Eight teams can be divided into two groups for a round-robin stage, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals knockout stage. The format is compact, and the intensity is sufficient. So, which regions should we invite?"
Qin Feng clearly had a plan ready; he pointed out several locations on the map in succession:
"First, North America. Our partner, Global Interactive, operates very successfully there, and the player base and competitive level are highly anticipated. Mr. Smith has always hoped for an opportunity for international exchange."
"Next, the European region. The esports atmosphere is intense, and the players are creative; their playstyles often bring unexpected surprises."
"The Korean region." Qin Feng's finger stopped on the Korean Peninsula. "President Kim of KC Games has shown us their terrifying execution and competitive ambition. Their teams are extremely disciplined and will be a huge threat."
"The Southeast Asian region." His finger slid toward the Indochina Peninsula and the Malay Archipelago. "Player enthusiasm is high here, and their style is aggressive and fierce—a force that cannot be overlooked."
"The Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau region," Qin Feng added. "They belong to the same Chinese cultural sphere, are close in proximity, and communication is convenient. Their strength should not be underestimated."
"We still need two more..." Lin Haoming mused.
"The Latin American region." Qin Feng pointed to Mexico and Brazil. "The players there are fanatical about esports and might bring a different style."
"And the last one..." Qin Feng's gaze swept across the map before finally settling. "The Commonwealth of Independent States region (including Russia and surrounding countries). The players here are known for their strong individual skill and aggressive playstyle, representing a potential'savage' force."
"Eight regions, plus our home region, makes exactly eight teams," Lin Haoming summarized, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "This virtually encompasses the strongest and most representative regions in league of legends globally right now. If this comes to fruition, it will be the first truly meaningful, multi-continent showdown of powerhouses in esports history!"
The blueprint was beautiful, but execution was full of challenges. This was not just a tournament for eight teams; it was a complex project involving the coordination of different languages, cultures, time zones, visas, and the scheduling of various regional tournaments.
"Without further ado, I will personally call the heads of the various distributors." Qin Feng acted decisively, immediately picking up the encrypted communication phone. He knew that this matter required him, the founder of Riot Games, to step forward to demonstrate the utmost sincerity and importance.
The first call connected to Mr. Smith, the Vice President of Global Interactive in North America.
"Hi, dear Qin! Congratulations on the great success of your Star Sea Cup and the new version!" Smith's enthusiastic voice came through the receiver.
"Thank you, Mr. Smith. To make a long story short, we plan to host a World Invitational and hope to invite the champion team from North America to participate..."
Qin Feng elaborated on the tournament concept, the schedule (tentatively set for two months later), and the travel and accommodation expenses that Riot Games would cover. Smith was thrilled on the other end of the line, immediately stating he would fully coordinate to ensure the strongest North American team was sent, praising it as "a great step forward for global esports development."
The second call went to President Kim of KC Games in Korea.
"President Qin Feng, hello." President Kim's voice was as steady and slightly arrogant as ever.
After listening to Qin Feng's proposal, President Kim was silent for a moment, then spoke with a firm tone: "This is an excellent opportunity to showcase the strength of Korean esports to the world. Rest assured, KC Games will send the most dominant team; we are eager to clash with powerhouses."
Subsequently, Qin Feng contacted the heads of the distributors for Europe, Southeast Asia, Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau, Latin America, and the CIS region in turn. Reactions varied; some were as enthusiastic as Mr. Smith, while others were as calm and confident as President Kim, but without exception, everyone showed immense interest and willingness to cooperate in this unprecedented tournament. This was also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to boost the popularity and influence of the game they were distributing.
The communication process was not entirely smooth. The European distributor raised concerns that the time difference might be unfavorable for European viewers; the Southeast Asian distributor worried about the complexity of visa applications; and the Latin American distributor inquired whether language translation support could be provided. Qin Feng recorded each issue and promised that Riot Games would form a dedicated World Championship working group to coordinate and resolve all logistical support problems, ensuring that each team could focus solely on the competition.
When the last call ended, the city lights were just beginning to turn on outside the window.
Qin Feng let out a long breath and rubbed his slightly throbbing temples. Lin Haoming handed him a glass of water and smiled: "It seems everyone is highly motivated."
"Yes," Qin Feng took the cup, his eyes bright, "because everyone sees the value in it. This is not just a tournament; it is a declaration—a declaration of the official arrival of the global esports era for league of legends."
He walked over to the whiteboard and wrote the eight large characters: "Star Sea Cup World Invitational." Below it, he drew eight branches, labeling them individually: China, North America, Europe, Korea, Southeast Asia, Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau, Latin America, and CIS.
"Next comes the most critical phase," Qin Feng said in a deep voice. "We need to immediately establish a tournament committee to formulate detailed rules, schedules, venues, and broadcasting plans, and maintain close communication with all distributors to ensure their regional qualifiers proceed smoothly and that they ultimately send their strongest representatives."
"The stage has been set," Lin Haoming chimed in, his tone full of anticipation. "Now, we just await the heroes from all corners of the globe to gather here."
A global esports storm officially kicked off with these few overseas calls. The world's attention was about to focus once again on the name "Star Sea." And this time, the stage was larger, the opponents stronger, and the glory even more magnificent.