Games

As hype for the League of Legends Worlds 2021 continues to amp up, there seems to be one very sore spot slowly growing in size in Southeast Asia (SEA). For one of the biggest esports tournaments of the year, SEA is left in a corner watching with no team to root for, only living vicariously through the PCS Seeds, PSG Talon and Beyond Gaming. Ever since the PCS was introduced and the pandemic hit, there has been zero SEA representation at any international competition.

Banana gave themselves a chance to dream. It did not matter if it was the Wild Rift Icon Series or SEA Championships. They were just 5 guys having fun, who ended up facing some of the top teams on their tournament run – and putting on a good show.

Everyone is familiar with League of Legends’ ever-growing popularity, especially since Riot Games released Wild Rift, the mobile version, in October 2020. Although Wild Rift is practically an infant in the esports scene, the game has been building its community and is wrapping up its annual competitive circuit with an upcoming final competition.

Legendary Pokémon are the literal face of the game (aside from Pikachu, of course). From box arts to movies, they are the proverbial and literal Gods of the Pokémon world. But not all Pokémon are created equal, and to be frank some of them just plain suck. Here are the 3 most terrible Legendaries ever (Mythical Pokémon included)!

The pandemic put a pause on professional sports worldwide for a moment before resuming with drastically reduced or even zero live audiences. The Tokyo Olympics were but a shadow of previous editions without the energy of the crowd.

We don’t know what’s better: Shang-Chi collecting $35.8 million in ticket sales in its second week, or League of Legends player Søren "Bjergsen" Bjerg’s reported return to pro play in 2022. So naturally, for Meme Monday, we had to compile both Shang-Chi and Bjergsen memes to relish in the joy of our favourite new Asian superhero and League of Legends’...well, legend.

Pokemon fans rejoice! Pokemon Unite will launch its mobile version on September 22, and if you aren’t already excited, you should be! From classic favourites like Pikachu and Charizard, to wacky options like Mr Mime and Snorlax, you’ll be able to experience Pokemon, MOBA-style for the first time. Check out this epic teaser!

For many in the Philippines esports scene, Team Amihan Esports were a breath of fresh air when they landed in April last year. The team started with two rosters, one for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and DOTA 2. Soon after, they also created a team for Wild Rift, the brainchild of the team’s former manager Christian Villegas.

Oh, to be an unwanted Banana. Ripe for challenges but turned down by others.  Ahead of its first major League of Legends: Wild Rift tournament, the newly-formed Singaporean team named after a common fruit found scrims rare as no one took them seriously. 

Many people are happy about it, though. No more keyboard smashing, indecipherable taunts and the sense of dread when a Chinese name appears in the lobby. What a peaceful life – if there was ever one in gaming. And of course you can be sure memes will accompany such bombshell news. Here are some of the best for Meme Monday: