Shortly after making adjustments to the team emote for 100 Thieves, Riot Games has decided to make another change amidst the ongoing controversy.
Image Credit: Riot Games
Riot Games adjusts team’s custom emote… once again
Just a few days ago, Riot Games introduced a new series of emotes in collaboration with various esports organizations. The emotes were meant to showcase creativity and boost branding ahead of Worlds 2024, while also serving as a source of additional revenue through in-game sales.
However, this initiative quickly turned into a controversy as certain emotes sparked backlash from the community.
In particular, the emotes for 100 Thieves and Team BDS became the center of attention. 100 Thieves released an Akali emote that was seen as provocative and potentially offensive, while Team BDS featured a Pengu holding a fishing rod with a baited hook.
Following feedback, Riot Games made adjustments to the emotes. The Akali emote was modified, and the bait in Team BDS’s emote was replaced with a fish to alleviate concerns about potentially misleading representations.
Community response and team reactions
The community criticized Riot Games for making changes to the emotes that had initially been approved. Some questioned why the emotes were announced before undergoing proper vetting procedures.
Team BDS’s social media producer revealed that the team had to accept the modifications imposed by Riot Games after initially receiving approval for their original design. The esports organization responded to the situation with humor, poking fun at the original emote.
Both Team BDS and 100 Thieves engaged in banter following the emote adjustments: Team BDS on social media and 100 Thieves through a special “small” gesture after their recent victory against Dignitas.
As fans eagerly anticipate the release of the emotes on August 27, there is speculation about whether further adjustments will be made.
