League of Legends developer Riot Games has announced that co-streaming will be available for the first time for the upcoming Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) tournament.
Specifically, more than 30 co-streamers representing a variety of regions and languages are set to participate virtually in the event.
These pre-approved streamers and content creators will aim to provide fans with an extra viewpoint of MSI 2023, in addition to the main broadcast.
More information about the chosen co-streamers will be revealed through League of Legends Esports’ channels. In addition, qualified pro teams will be permitted to co-stream virtually throughout the entire tournament.
As for all other content creators, the standard Content Creator Guidelines remain in effect, according to the release. This includes ensuring that during co-streams MSI partner logos are not obscured, removed or modified.
As its name suggests, the increasingly popular practice of co-streaming involves tournament organisers authorising specific streamers to broadcast the event on their individual channels. Co-streaming has been a significant topic of discussion in the League of Legends community for several years, and leagues like the LCS, LCK, and LPL have already adopted the practice.
In fact, earlier this year, Riot Games announced a co-streaming partnership with KOI and Team Heretics for the 2023 Winter and Spring Split of the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC). While this year’s Winter Split recorded a decrease in viewership during its opening week, the competition recorded its highest-ever Spanish-speaking viewership, likely a result of the co-streaming partnership.
The Mid-Season Invitational is a League of Legends tournament held between the two seasonal splits. This year, the top two teams from Riot Games’ major regions will come together in London, England in May, marking the first time the tournament is held in the country.
The tournament will feature a cumulative prize pool of $250,000 (~£200,400), with the winners walking away with at least 20% of the total. Riot Games has also announced a special in-game and cosmetic item bundle that will boost the MSI prize pool.
This is the first edition of MSI that will take place under a new format, featuring 13 teams instead of 11, among other changes.
