"I am afraid for the players' burnout": S8UL Sid Talks About Multiple BGMI LAN Events

The return of BGMI to India was celebrated as a festival in itself with Krafton acknowledging that the game has a huge market in the country and they will do everything in their power to keep it alive for the development of the ecosystem and the esports scene in the country. 

Over the last five and a half months, Krafton has hosted a grassroots event and an invitational, hosting Korean PUBG Mobile teams in the country, pitting their best against domestic talent in a LAN environment. With two official events and a host of third-party LAN events in a matter of less than six months, the viewership of many events has fallen. In a conversation with S8UL Sid, Manager, Team SouL, Gossip.gg learned of his concerns that a high number of LAN events or tournaments can cause viewer and player fatigue. Here's everything from the discussion.

Also read: Insane Esports Bid Farewell To Their BGMI Lineup
 

S8UL Sid Chimes In On Player And Audience Fatigue

The Upthrust Esports Diwali Battle Season 2 was the second LAN to take place in November, occurring just a couple of days after a long battle at Skyesports Championship 5.0. Each LAN has a minimum duration of two days, which doesn't include traveling and media days or shoots. 

In an exclusive conversation with Gossip.gg, Sid answered a few questions related to multiple LAN events and pay-to-watch events that have taken place in the last few days. When asked "Lots of teams, including Team Soul, have been playing back-to-back LANs. Do you think it causes player and viewer fatigue?" Sid said:

"Oh it happens. I have talked a lot about this on Twitter (now X) and on my YouTube streams. (It is like) if you have an IPL every month, the IPL loses its touch. I am afraid for the players' burnout and I have been talking to a lot of people here. A lot of owners, a lot of managers. So we are going to sit down after the event and discuss how we can move forward. But this has to be a bigger conversation with all the team owners and tournament organisers. It is important to make it into a better ecosystem for the players and their health."

Talking about the recent pay-to-watch tournament that was hosted by Skyesports, Sid said that he is in two minds about the concept. On one hand, he understands the business side of it but also laments the entry barrier it provides to fans. He said:

"I think this concept has its own pros and its own setbacks. I think this will get more money into the scene and will help the ecosystem grow. This will also bring more sponsorship into the system, but I am in two minds about it. "

Over the last few months, Sid has been vocal about players falling ill and being under a lot of mental pressure due to multiple back-to-back LAN events. However, teams have been powering through the events, but with the return of live audience LANs fatigue could be much more immediate.