"Heavy is the Crown" Fan Criticisms? Riot President John Needham's Answer | Ashley Kang

[@shuhuimok3814]

Wow! Bold to ask this question. Kudos to Ashley! 👍🏻

[@nobody-bt7mu]

Kudos

[@awesomeadi2]

Well done Ashley. Sad to see those people out of touch with their fans. and not giving the correct response. Typical of riot.

[@jasonclassmate2292]

lol, gamers just like to complain. this time may be slightly more justified though

[@EnchantedSlayer01]

Most of the fans enjoyed the music video. Obviously not everyone is gonna enjoy it, but those people are projecting their voice super loud and making it seem like its a 50/50 division on the MV when in reality the video only has 8.4% dislike to like ratio. Not sure how ur mad at riot for being out of touch with their fans when majority of their fans like it.

[@Aceinine]

@@EnchantedSlayer01 You seem to be the one who's projecting, probably because you liked the song and others didn't. Ashley is quoting credible sources like recorded statistics, not singular and unreliable metrics like super-loud voices on reddit and 'like-dislike ratio' on the youtube video. There is a significant part of the community on the other side of the issue. Also since we are talking credibility, considering the dislikes are not public and only visible to the channel owners, where from did you pull out this arbitrary figure of the ratio?

[@nobody-bt7mu]

@@EnchantedSlayer01 How wrong you are. You actually think everyone will press the dislike button, they probably don't care about that. The likes are also from linkin park fans who knows NOTHING about the game.

[@EnchantedSlayer01]

@@nobody-bt7mu If they care enough to complain on platforms, they will definitely care enough to dislike the video. There is no way to tell if majority of the likes/dislikes are from linkin park fans or league fans. You are just assuming all this from 0 credible evidence.

[@OneWingedRose]

You can tell he's a CEO by the complete non-answers he gives to any actual questions. Grow a spine!

[@Joseph89]

"We love Linkin Park", The entire video was made for the band, not for T1, apparently. Thank you for asking the question Ashley, well done!

[@xblastyolo]

Bcuz thats THEIR SONG..not riot song lol..grow up..riot just borrowed it..beside Linkin park is my childhood band and they're returning after 7 years and people are happy with it..I'm a big T1 fan but y'all crybabies just need to stop

[@SirTropical]

@@xblastyolo But it was made to commemorate League of Legends and what occurred in Worlds last year... you know, like every worlds song before it lol? Your argument makes 0 sense in the context of why these worlds music videos are made, who they're meant to represent, and what they're made to be seen as.

[@shadchu3o4]

@@xblastyolo i believe the community's reaction to this is more so that like half of the music video itself is just linkin park screaming at us instead of creating a visual storytelling of T1's worlds journey which is my understanding of what these music videos "should" be.

[@LawrenceACD]

Correct!

[@vox43]

​@@xblastyolo Like bro. Buy a fkin brain. "the entire video" is what Joseph said. And you talk about the song and about growing up. Look at yourself first

[@confusednerd3171]

I like that ashley has the courage to ask the questions that needed to be asked! Please never change this aspect of your journalism! ❤❤

[@shwars576]

The music wasn’t the problem, it was the video

[@ayoubammor2795]

Exactly, the song was decent but the clip was awful it's sad because worlds 2023 had an amazing story and they completely ruined it 😔

[@huynguyenthe346]

Yes. Weibo gaming qualified to the 2023 finals. But the screen time they got like 1-2s, on the other side, I saw a player from who knows region showed up multiple time

[@nevermore6540]

Thank you Ashley. Typical rito answer but at least he got some dirt on his eyes.

[@Real_Pr0xy]

In summary, they love linkin park more than pro players. Thanks riot.

[@LawrenceACD]

😂😂😂

[@vyzers2505]

Well riot is music industry after all😂

[@Reizor_]

the audacity to say "we're happy with the video" and "we're getting record viewership" just shows how out of touch they are with their community and with what they say could be interpreted as

[@marcinczapski8547]

it also tells us that the goal was record viewership instead of a well curated video and song. its an industry chess piece for both sides rather than something memorable for the fans

[@patrikmojdis5262]

He also said that they are taking the feedback from the music video and will apply it to the next year's one. But I guess those statements are not fitting for your narrative of Riot big evil.

[@jacobsthird]

Was excited while you were asking the question, like YES! what hes gonna say???? and then its the corporate forgettable response..... shoulda known better lol

[@bentucky4324]

Ashley once again shows us what real journalism is!

[@Kandosh27]

That song is for Linkin Park not for T1, they appear more than the players

[@baaLsecundus]

They objectively do not appear more than the players.

[@marcinczapski8547]

@@baaLsecundus and yet it is interesting that it feels like they do. perhaps because no other band and singer ever insisted on using the worlds video for their own publicity.

[@黄天祥-b3g]

Yes, LP clown

[@bassyey]

Ashley asks the right questions! I've seen too many interviews with safe and boring question that we've watched a lot of times. I wonder if you cover beyond esports? This is the type of questioning other fields would benefit too.

[@GhostMan407]

worlds 24 music video has half the views of world 23 music video and nearly twice as many dislikes... clearly theres something wrong there

[@flowbie-1336]

It literally just came out vs a video thats been up for a year r u new to the internet?

[@GhostMan407]

@ are you slow? i’m saying that despite having less views it has twice as many dislikes

[@berber4everG]

@@flowbie-1336 seems like u have no understanding of pretty much anything

[@emartinez__]

Get this guy out

[@Raxio_ional]

The video was for the band, not for the players or T1. I didn't see any players who deserved to be there in the video. The fact that Linken Park had more appearance than the players themselves is crazy. Lol

[@YuYuYuna_]

" I didn't see any players who deserved to be there in the video. " soooo you didn't even watch the video in the first place? All of T1 was in it. G2 Caps was in it. Bin from BLG was in it. Red Canids' ADC was in it.

[@nobody-bt7mu]

@@YuYuYuna_ Red Canids' adc was not deserving we all know that. G2 didn't even make quarters although BLG made quarters, players from JDG would've been better like Ruler. The purpose of the video should be to celebrate what happened last worlds so I'd say most of the appearances weren't deserving. It's a terrible MV and most league fans agree. The music is great thoguh.

[@LawrenceACD]

Yeah totally. They shouldve just made their own mv 😂

[@tkraid2575]

​@@YuYuYuna_ It's not just about having a checklist of x players in it. It's just downright weak conceptualization. Previous MVs highlighted the winning team's struggle/big plays but rn we just have 80 percent of the MV with LP performing. No narrative, and it plays out like a promo for the new album.

[@thefool7256]

They’re trying to include some representative players from other regions beside the winning team. You know, there’s a lot of lol esport fans outside of this T1 fan community. They have their favourite players and teams from their region, but they could never shine at Worlds. Imagine how honoured these fans would feel if they saw their favourite players (which is not Faker) get recognised by riot in a music video.

[@Nora-c4y]

Thank you Ashley you talked for all of us. More players in Worlds Videos and less singers please !

[@Darkstormsun9865]

ofc riot likes their worst worlds MV that doesnt care about the players, not surprising. "record viewership" it is the least viewed worlds MV of them all. it only beats Worlds Collide that was regulated to being only a login screen.

[@lostsoultof]

It's the least viewed Worlds song because it's new, that's what others are gonna argue.. BUT the real argument here is that it has twice as many dislikes from the Worlds 2023 song, PLUS more dislikes than what we thought was the worst Worlds song in the previous years. The song itself is not bad, but the MV is just...so bad it hurts to play it one more time. (Not that I'm gonna listen to Heavy is the Crown one more time but get my point).

[@adelmosallami]

My conspiracy theory is that Warner paid riot a hefty amount in licensing to have more influence over the end product and made them split the focus between linkin park and T1 These things take several months to make and it hadn’t been that long since the lead singer was announced, so I’m sure something behind the scenes was happening

[@SS_2022]

yah i think it was to boost there new lead singer or promotion to it. i dont hate the lead singer but i hate that world was use on this. i really thought they will use last year storyline on there new mv but we have this but its fine what can we do. if T1 win again or BLG win , pls RIOT let it be a REAL WORLD MV next time.

[@marcinczapski8547]

100% they dont like LP they like the money and industry favours

[@Jeff_Saber]

Honestly, I liked it better when Tryndamere and Ryze were in control of Riot

[@thomasfox7803]

Where are those guys anyway?

[@ezrealmain1227]

@@thomasfox7803 asking the same questions

[@ayyasadas2010]

​@@thomasfox7803in Saudi Arabia

[@Nightmarezzz-qh2zr]

Thank you Ashley, for asking the question ❤

[@beer_chocolate]

Still can’t believe after 7 years of fighting Faker got the MV and didn’t even get to wear his crown lol I really want to spam this question to them like Hogwarts letters so they eventually spit out their true heart By the way Ashley, what a beautifully and respectfully worded question! Thank you for throwing that question to them for us

[@thefool7256]

I mean… Faker has already been in almost every single worlds mv

[@LunePheli]

The song was great imo and for a normal music video it's fine, but for a worlds music video it's just bad. Worlds music videos should be about league and worlds, not for the artist. But it's Linkin Park so they probably had an agreement or sumn

[@LawrenceACD]

Really bad

[@Xygard]

Not just bad but really bad for LP song yeah it's ok for worlds anthem? It's really bad not even C tier

[@LunePheli]

@@Xygard The song reminds me of Faint and I just have a soft spot for long screams so it's great to me

[@Xygard]

@@LunePheli the song is ok for me too but I can't get over the MV so bad that it's taking the song to D/F tier of my worlds anthem tier

[@LunePheli]

@Xygard Honestly I kinda agree. Hope T1 wins this year and then maybe they get a better music video. Unless KDA gets a comeback and they get the music video with T1 cameos

[@silentloud]

John Needham ❌ John WeDontNeedHim ✅

[@jao704]

"We liked linkin park" they should just make them sing not use worlds as Linkin park music video You cant even see much of the players, even T1 which is worlds 2023 champs cant even be seen as much as Linkin Park

[@kentila-on1594]

T1 vs Linkin park

[@TheAngelFolly]

Yeah....lame response. I was already iffy about LP considering the lead singer scientology drama but it sounds like LP pushed for inserting themselves when no other band/singer did. Not just a cameo like Lil Nas X. Gonna skip opening ceremony. Extra hour of sleep before the match.

[@alexandruciora7605]

No bro...stay awake for the FORTS song, STILL HERE, which slaps.

[@flowbie-1336]

You new to business? He cant really say much he has to play by rules you dont even know about so sit

[@marcinczapski8547]

@@flowbie-1336 he can but he wont, because he is spineless. "sit" if you are a fence sitter defending another fence sitter. i will never not cringe at big corp lackeys like you xd

[@FloatLikeABee]

Should have asked how they let the current LoL world champions Linkin Park into the finals without ever playing a single game.

[@Matt-qc4fx]

So bold Ashley! So sad to see his response too, they could make a great video but they decided that.. Also sad to see the Emily (vocalist of linkin park) have relationship with Danny Masterson (a Rap*st). And she is a scientologist. To see a person like this in the shoes of Chester, who stood against that stuff, kinda sad

[@ZOFGKR-0112]

누나 고마워, 간지러웠던 곳을 긁어주는 질문이야 답변이 밍숭밍숭 하지만 책임자 입장에선 린킨이나 유저들 둘 다 눈치 봐야하는 입장이다 보니 저렇게 답변하는것도 최선이라 생각해. 요즘 지들이 잘못하면 묵묵부답으로 일관하는 일이 종종 있다보니 유저들의 생각에 대해서 어떻게 생각할지 궁금했는데..누나 질문이 킥이였어 아주ㅋㅋ

[@Hermionegoh]

I mean the song and collaboration is great, love it. Riot hire LP and should be responsible the outcome of the video instead. Putting the hate on LP is just some pointless thing the fans can do. Thanks Ashley for asking this question on behalf of us. Brave move instead!

[@scarella]

I was going to give the MV a pass but seeing how LP messed around the Worlds Trophy makes it clear they have no respect for the event and players.

[@wowJhil]

Great question Ashley! But his answer was even more no answer then usual, a total whatever answer. He could address the fact that most fans want a video that does the players justice and spin the narratives and storylines in a nice way. But because they think Linkin Park is all that they prioritized this. And also, I still wonder if the artwork wasn't partly AI generated???

[@frigid_monarch]

Im gonna be honest, Ive beem watching without subscribing your videos for worlds. Not anymore, Im subscribed. Shouldve told em the problems straight up.

[@oleg9130]

thank you, Ashley~

[@ahhhhhhh111]

1:14 what kind of translation is bro waiting for? lol

[@joekuo1981]

translation for reporters from other countries

[@renital_4279]

The question asked by Ashely is probably being live translated in other languages for other medias whose audience does not know english very well if at all. He's just giving those translators an extra second to complete their translations. Is this your first time watching a press interview?

[@AinS_Sama]

Heavy is the crown is a great song but it's just that the MV is not really up to the fans standard as it doesn't really show the amount of effort T1 puts in to win worlds 2023 (like world 2022 Gods for DRX). Honestly, my expectations for the next worlds songs are very low as the world's next year is in the China region. Hopefully next year we could get what we wanted.😅

[@justfajar5806]

If... *IF* Faker win again this year and Rito actually learn from this feedback, i personally hope they are going to make a real Faker MV portrayed as the unkillable demon king, through the rise and fall of his career

[@tacticalmachine92-z4j]

How are these people able to tell that the music video showcases more LP members than LoL players? Did someone actually research it? Did they measure how many minutes each player appeared in the video? Or is it just based on their feelings?

[@xlpha888]

The most PR trained response from a executive

[@samyattar7565]

Its basically business people, this mv brings its money back simply by having linkin park featured and put on the front of it. I dont know why people are surprised everytime riot puts money first anymore.

[@SeikiRikodou]

I was hoping Ashley would've asked if why is almost everyone look like deft XD

[@pensato348]

They either weren't aware of the unhappiness, or they're out of touch. Bad answer either way, but... eh

[@quackat1110]

I'm LP's fan but I can't fathom the stupidity of this world mv, now its view count is 60M. We will take a look at it again this time next year to see how it fares.

[@Mist.3]

How can you not like the mv? It really showed how Linkin Park won 2023 worlds against all odds. Truly inspiring! /s

[@VibePolice]

Whenever RIot release something the fans dislike Riot: I am content.

[@buffer1230]

Thank you for this !

[@harr0wing890]

You only have record viewership because it’s T1, but it’s also a record percentage of people disappointed at this Linkin Park promotional video.

[@sonny1601]

I don’t see why they’re saying “we” are happy with it as if it matters? Isn’t whether the fans are happy with it or not what matter the most?

[@saigonrider]

Out of 11 worlds song mv so far only 2 has been tailor made for the previous winner of worlds. The rest have been about general hype, featuring that years pro players or like ignite calling back old highlights fron various players. So seing that last year they made a whole mv for deft, and Faker already had a hall of fame induction, i dont mind this mv taking the direction they did. Maybe next year when t1 wins the 1st 2 international competion and set up the Diamond road then we'll have a proper t1 mv?

[@tzuyuhypetrain9791]

Peak Journalism. Well done Ashley ❤

[@StarkVertueux]

that´s the most CEO answer of all time

[@Shirikatsu]

"We're super happy with the video", read: We got a paid a lot by Linkin Park to produce a music video for them.

[@BesutoWU]

Feedback would be used for next year…like it is easy to win worlds

[@TheoVillarubias]

That was the most typical, bland, non-pertinent response ever. A classic

[@Adp32306]

Riot dont even own the music to not get copyright striked by Linkin Park LUL

[@Zephyr_White]

I mean typical Riot, when was the last time they listened to their audiences

[@seaweedbanana4663]

All screen time leads to me -Linkin Park

[@db.1304]

I mean, you can't expect him to say it was a mistake or that they disliked it in public. I'm sure internally they are aware they could've done better.

[@timothychan5707]

It is totally understandable that they avoid to criticise their own video. But "we're super happy with the video" is way past that line and just add fuel to the fire.

[@DeathGrandMaster]

the real translation: "we're happy with the money we got to put their faces in half of the video, we do not care about the players opnions on it and it will be the way foward next year as well, f* you and have a nice day" they will 100% do the same thing next year, all the feedback they received this past years has gone straight to the trash

[@zetazz17]

Based Ashley

[@wiii2316]

2023 Worlds Champion - Linkin Park.

[@moikeeee_]

People do also need to understand the following: - the song was part of LP's upcoming album, which was announced and the list of songs made public months before Riot even announced that said song will be the worlds song - the song will also be part of Arcane's S2, hence why the art style for the MV resembles Arcane's art style. With that being said, not sure why not criticize Enemy's MV the same way, considering that the artists have more screen time...

[@potatertotes]

Bruh that was an OST for a TV series. This is a WORLDS MV. There is a huge difference. WORLDS MV has always been about the players/teams' journey to be the champion.

[@moikeeee_]

@ so is heavy is the crown. As mentioned earlier, the song will lend itself as Arcane's OST as well.

[@Reizenry]

so its real that the 4th trophy is for linkin park.. crazy..

[@Abrar_I]

The video was basically LP, Deft and Massu, xd

[@d-4azerty755]

Love the music, but hate that the video was a Linkin Park anime clip. Riot is lucky; Faker is giving them another chance to make it right next year.

[@lmntsgames3848]

The song was never the problem, it's the music video that gets a lot of criticisms.. and I don't think seeing Linkin Park is also the problem.. it's seeing them way more than necessary that's the problem.. there was a fan edit where Linkin Park still showed up but not as much and fans loved the edit..

[@durothan2851]

best!!! Ashely!!

[@Yasha-9]

What do you mean the video was about 2023 worlds winner Lee Kim Park /s

[@푸른사자-m1l]

이번에 만약 우승한다면 제발 좀 똑바로 만들자 라이엇아

[@zombieprodigyz]

I dont understand, he did answer. Why is everyone in the comments saying he didnt? He literally said they will uss the feedback when creating next years worlds video. They learn from the feedback.

[@jisooturtlerabbitkim3734]

you really believe riot gonna do that?😂😂

[@4thwall826]

the 5th trohpy is for linkin park

[@amlanmanna4698]

Typical corporate diplomatic answer..

[@baaLsecundus]

What was the answer you were looking for?

[@jelber18]

A-Ashley? 😳

[@khacdunguyen5551]

ashley mvp

[@nobody-bt7mu]

PR response

[@Shirikatsu]

"We are getting record viewership for the video" Is this guy ok? GODS got way more viewership?

[@ThePjotrovich]

Because it has been out for longer.

[@nobody-bt7mu]

Of course they're happy for it, why would they even say they're not when they approved for it lol.

[@Zoniex]

I mean not every song is gonna resonate with every person. If you’re just simply not into rock, you’re probably not gonna vibe with this song. With regards to the video, I think the take that the characters faces lack character and detail that make them distinctive is more to do with the artstyle, and would’ve been noticeable last year too if players didn’t wear jerseys that made it obvious who’s who.

[@itsallinthepast2944]

congrats for linkin park winning 2024 world championship

[@cyberneko4913]

What a nothing answer. We don't care about the music, most of us agree that the music is fine, what wasn't fine is the music VIDEO.

[@yeoldegrayCat]

They have a chance to fix it if T1 wins again this year, talk about lucky

[@JamesColeman12]

The answers of no answers

[@owenhollow8247]

Of course they'd be happy with it. I assure you, most of them haven't even watched it lol.

[@edgybravo4287]

Worlds song was mid glad I wasn't the only who thought that

[@GalesSuarez]

I freaking hate that song, seems like the new "linkin park" needed some kind of exposure, and used the worlds of League for that... fk that song for real, and is not even linkin park anymore.

[@Jimiakos]

The video is fine. Nobody cares if faker got 1 minute of exposure less. It's not like he's already the GOAT

[@Addiction334]

John's answer is so empty, so many words for little content. What's the point of press conf if you're gonna be as usefull as a yuumi in cop vs ai 😂

[@baronnashor158]

never liked this guy. You just can tell he has never touched a video game.

[@jomareyd.parreno5112]

ITOT RIOT

[@EbanescenceJ]

Great non-answer

[@Secret_Moon]

It's obviously not the best, but still far from the worst world music video Riot has produced. I'm not a fan of the music style of the song, but honestly, it does slowly grow on me. Could have been better, but oh well.

[@paulandersbullecer3152]

Record viewership? Is he high?

[@minTwin]

Last years worlds video was better

[@_cherubim]

RIOT

[@righte1196]

너희말은 귓등으로도 듣고있지않다만 많은이야기바란다 이런거군

[@thegreylady168]

The response is as unmoving as a botoxed forehead. Record viewership and record down votes. Just own it was a 💩video, Riot!

[@FBDL30]

Thats why t1 win for 2024. Because they got Robbed from that 2023 worlds. Hahaha

[@KuyaDex30]

Lamest song for worlds. They just want LP to get some exposure again sad haha

[@luuluu590]

deft didnt get enough screentime in 2023

[@OrManFTW]

Reading a question from a phone looks very bad and unprofessional

[@marcinczapski8547]

not if its a long one and english is not your native language. she clearly crafted it carefully with nuanced words you dont use daily, so she wanted to be precise as possible in order not keep the essence of her question intact. whats wrong with that? its better than fumbling around for sure