Former Overwatch League talent are taking to social media to respond to Vice President Jon Spector's comments regarding the off-season departures. The comment in question appears to be when Spector states "The more that we can pull former professionals, people who live and breathe this game, I think the better we're going to do in terms of what our show looks like and the ability to explain something that's really complicated to our fans."
"From what our talent lineup looks like this year, we couldn't be happier." - @overwatchleague VP @Spex_J@JacobWolf and Jon Spector talk about the Coronavirus in China, the league's new partnership with @YouTubeGaming and more.
Watch here: https://t.co/uVIrNiRjJU pic.twitter.com/6BxUVepXv7
- ESPN Esports (@ESPN_Esports) February 9, 2020
Since his comments, former talent have posted their reactions. Auguste "Semmler" Massonnat, who cast the first two seasons of the OWL, was the first to weigh in.
"People who live and breath this game" = "people who specialized in our game that we can lowball thanks to our monopolistic hold on the scene and/or their dependence on us for visas" https://t.co/I6ufwNcMD2
- Semmler (@OnFireSemmler) February 9, 2020
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Erik "Doa" Lonnquist, also involved in the OWL since its inception, spoke out.
I lived and breathed Overwatch from the beta until a month ago. I don't know what the point of all these veiled insults towards the talent that left is. It's a bit hurtful after moving across the Earth and putting three years of my life into this project. https://t.co/Frmv6fii4G
- Erik "DoA" Lonnquist (@ggDoA) February 9, 2020
Christopher "MonteCristo" Mykles, arguably one of the most prominent voices for the league during his time there, showcased his dissapointment in the comments.
I can say that @ggDoA and I began speaking with Blizzard before the game OW was even released and we have always been incredibly passionate about the title.
I spent years of my life grinding tape, visiting team houses, producing my own content, and casting OW from Apex Season 1. https://t.co/f5hJmYAoIh
- MonteCristo (@MonteCristo) February 9, 2020
Malik Forté, who worked on in a variety of capacities on air for the Overwatch League, expressed his exhaustion with the topic.
Bruh, wut? Still on this? Hasn't the season started? My patience is wearing thin...
- Malik Forté �� (@Malik4Play) February 9, 2020