EA Sports is a household name in the gaming community, having developed several popular games such as NFS, FIFA, Battlefield, and Apex Legends. In recent years, Apex Legends has had a meteoric rise in the competitive gaming sector. EA Sports has also promoted the game and organized several competitive tourneys across the globe. The Apex Legends Global Series Championship took place recently. Although the event had some of the most amazing competitive matches, it shot up the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Apparently, several gamers missed out on action due to EA Sports’ COVID protocols. Following this, several professionals voiced their opinions against EA Sports in public. For more news related to Apex Legends, follow InsideSport.IN.
Every competitive gaming event has a set of protocols for COVID, and all players are expected to follow these protocols to maintain the safety of the event. However, protocols should be set up to accommodate everyone who is eligible to participate in the event. The recent Apex Legends GS Championship COVID protocols surely displeased gamers and they were left with no option but to express their views against it on social media.
Also Read- Apex Legends: Global Series COVID protocols revealed, faces staunch criticism from professionals
Apex Legends did not allow COVID-positive gamers to participate
EA Sports released a statement regarding the COVID protocols for the Apex Legends GS Championship 2022. It stated that virus-infected gamers won’t be allowed to participate in the event although they’d be given lodging and travel support from EA Sports.
— Apex Legends Esports (@PlayApexEsports) July 8, 2022
Recently, more than 30 gamers have missed out on action due to the COVID protocols. Some of these gamers had VISA-related issues as well. Out of these 30 gamers, AYM Hiarka and iG JMW missed out on the finals of the event. As a result of this, the Apex Legends professional circuit has come forth to criticize EA Sports for its inconsiderate policies.
Just tested positive, feel absolutely fine. So sad that I don’t have a chance to go b2b and play the biggest event in apex history :/
— Jmw (@Jmwfps) July 10, 2022
GG lan for sure got positive 4 times being the most lonely guy ever 🥲
— Hiarka (@HiarkaYeahh) July 10, 2022
.@PlayApexEsports you could let me and jmw play in a room isolated but no instead its easier to make people play with subs and managers for the biggest tourney of the year
— Hiarka (@HiarkaYeahh) July 10, 2022
AYM Hiarka even suggested the organizers that they could let him and iG JMW play on the isolated setups that were kept on backstage.
After the tweet went live, other gamers from the Apex Legends roster came in support of the two professionals.
The fact you can’t just play upstairs with the 60 other computers is insane, they literally connect to the same lobby because B stage accidentally joined on day 1. LMAO.
— Rogue (@TTrebb) July 10, 2022
This has to be the most scuffed event of all time…
— Alliance_Hakis (@Alliance_Hakis) July 10, 2022
I’m so sorry man, absolute shambles this event has been
— rpr 💀🗡️ (@rpr) July 10, 2022
Eventually, #LetThemPlay started trending across social media as almost everyone came in support.
Cmon @EA #LetThemPlay https://t.co/61Iw3IpGVz
— FURIA Albralelie (@TSM_Albralelie) July 10, 2022
#LetThemPlay https://t.co/Kr4phnXUtI
— Rogue (@TTrebb) July 10, 2022
Both Hiarka and JMW grinded to get to grand finals for $2,000,000. #LetThemPlay @PlayApexEsports https://t.co/aGJuqG3sEc
— sweet (@sweetdreams) July 10, 2022
#letthemplay @PlayApexEsports https://t.co/63xW3SrUwn
— TSM ImperialHal (@ImperialHal) July 10, 2022
Only way to get them to play is if everyone refuses to play. No players. No Tournament. The community has to work together here. #LetThemPlay @PlayApexEsports https://t.co/htEd5OEKX6
— 100T iiTzTimmy (@iiTzTimmy) July 10, 2022
It is evident that the professional gamers of Apex Legends are united for a reasonable cause. EA Sports should definitely take the matter seriously and act with urgency to let COVID-positive gamers play in any event if they wish to. If EA Sports fails to implement the changes in the upcoming days, the community may see gamers boycotting it for the greater good.
For more news related to Apex Legends, follow InsideSport.IN.
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