Banner Image: Ubisoft / @ericananmalay
On Jan. 23, Ubisoft unveiled the initial details regarding the format followed in the BLAST regional leagues. Among other updates, the announcement included changes to the regional slot allocation for Majors as South Korea, Japan, Asia, and LATAM lost one spot each.
While all of the affected leagues showed their frustration, data never lies: combining the results seen in Copenhagen, Atlanta, and São Paulo during Year 8, the four regions only got 13 victories out of a possible 68 against rosters from Brazil, Europe, North America, MENA, and Oceania.
Considering the numbers mentioned, a reduction in the international spots given to South Korea, Japan, Asia, and LATAM is understandable. However, Bleed Esports and FURY's most recent results have opened a can of worms: should Asia keep their two Major slots?
International results during Year 8
To answer the million-dollar question, we must have a closer look at South Korea, Japan, Asia, and LATAM's international results during Year 8.
South Korea
Throughout Year 8, South Korea won three out of 21 games against sides from Brazil, Europe, North America, MENA, and Oceania. Moreover, two of those three came against teams from MENA, who have just debuted internationally.
Additionally, South Korean teams only won 149 rounds out of a possible 419 across Copenhagen, Atlanta, and the Six Invitational 2024. This means that South Korea ended the international season with a round difference of -121.
Japan
Throughout Year 8, Japan only won two out of 15 games against sides from Brazil, Europe, North America, MENA, and Oceania. Despite the region getting one less victory than South Korea in this stat, it's worth mentioning that Japanese teams defeated South Korea's teams every time they met.
Additionally, Japan's teams won 245 out of a possible 521. This means that Japan ended the international season with a round difference of -31.
Overall, Japan (seven victories) was better than South Korea (four victories). More precisely, Japan was the only Asian region to have a team among the best eight sides of a BLAST R6 Major as SCARZ reached the quarterfinals in Copenhagen.
LATAM
Throughout Year 8, LATAM won one out of nine games against sides from Brazil, Europe, North America, MENA, and Oceania. Curiously enough, the only LATAM side to qualify for a BLAST R6 Major Phase 2 was REVEN ECLUB with a European-majority roster in Copenhagen.
Additionally, LATAM teams won 75 out of a possible 198 rounds across Copenhagen and Atlanta. This means that the region ended with a round difference of -48.
Although this was LATAM's first international appearance in the Rainbow Six Siege esports circuit, many fans expected more of the region. Due to the lack of consistency and the high competition in the league, the region couldn't send any roster to the Six Invitational 2024.
Asia
Throughout Year 8, Asia won seven out of 22 matches against sides from Brazil, Europe, North America, MEAN, and Oceania. The stat looks slightly better if we ignore the first Major of the year, with the region having won seven out of 19 matches against the regions previously mentioned.
Additionally, Asian teams won 308 out of a possible 633 rounds across Copenhagen, Atlanta, and the Six Invitational 2024. This means that the region ended with a round difference of -17.
Again, it's also worth mentioning how better could have the season looked for Asia if FURY and Bleed Esports had won a couple of rounds more. In Copenhagen, the Thai squad was two rounds away from defeating MNM Gaming in the Lower Bracket Semifinals as the winner would play against SANDBOX Gaming for the chance of qualifying for the Swiss Stage.
Unfortunately for the region, the same happened in Atlanta as FURY was one round away (twice) from qualifying for Atlanta's Phase 2 as the Thai roster lost against DarkZero Esports after the purple squad forced the overtime on Map 3 of Group C's Lower Bracket Final.
Meanwhile, Bleed Esports could have become the first Asia team to qualify for a BLAST R6 Major Top 8 in Atlanta after the team's successful start to Phase 2 (7-4 vs. M80 and 7-3 vs. Soniqs). Unluckily for the red roster, the team lost the upcoming three matches, including a maximum overtime defeat against DarkZero Esports.
Should Asia keep their two Major slots?
If we exclusively look at the BLAST R6 Major Atlanta and the Six Invitational 2024, the answer is a clear yes. Asia should keep their two Major spots.
However, Ubisoft and BLAST's decision was announced in Jan. 2024. This means that the decision was probably made months before that, potentially before the start of the BLAST R6 Major Atlanta. If this was the case, Ubisoft and BLAST's decision was probably made before Bleed Esports and FURY's recent performances at international competitions.
Considering the upcoming Rainbow Six Siege esports season starts this month, it would be very difficult for Ubisoft and BLAST to revert the situation. Keep in mind that giving Asia an extra spot would mean that another region should lose one.
After considering multiple solutions to BLAST, Ubisoft, and Asia's dilemma, here's what we think is the best solution if a change is to be made.
Asia League gets an extra slot, Japan and South Korea share third spot
The best solution to this situation would be to give Asia a second slot while making South Korea and Japan share one.
Looking at the numbers previously discussed, Japan and South Korea's stage champions would directly qualify for the BLAST R6 Major. Meanwhile, the second-seeded teams (or LCQ winners) from each region would face off in a BO3 or BO5 match.
With this change, South Korea and Japan would lose a combined amount of three international spots following an underwhelming Year 8. Meanwhile, Asia would keep their international representation, which was already lower than Japan and South Korea — and still would be despite the recent performances.
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