A picture of Pandarea Gaming, a team efeng used to manage. Efeng is on the far right of the picture.
iG's CEO Efeng, a staple of the Chinese professional eSports scene, has resigned from his position in the ACE Alliance after six months. In his statement to the public, he affirmed that ACE is doing a good job maintaining the Dota 2 scene in China.
Efeng held the position of Events Director, one of the top three roles within the ACE Alliance that governs eSports in China. He cites multiple reasons for his resignation, ranging from the treatment that ACE officials receive, to the fact that ACE is now staffed with many capable individuals, absolving him of his obligation to share his expertise in a growing field. He wishes to focus on managing iG without having to face the bad press and taunts the public delivers to a team's owner when the team isnot performing up to expectations.
If you want to label me as incompetent that’s fine, or say I’m running away that’s okay too, my only hope is to help iG operate steadily and stably onwards from now.
He goes on to deflect criticism of ACE's failures at providing events, especially in Dota 2. ACE was heavilly criticized by Chinese netizens post-TI3 when Chinese teams failed to even make the top 3, with public opinion focused on how ACE stopped top teams from competing in smaller tournaments in order to protect their brand value. This led to a lack of a competitive scene within China, which was pinpointed as the reason for the Chinese teams' dismal performance.
All criticism of ACE should come from reality first — This year’s losses at TI3 came with ACE, last year’s win at TI2 also came while ACE existed, no difference in that respect. Those who claim ACE denied events from happening, please stand up and provide proof of your claims.
The third part of his tweet defends ACE Chairman King from outside criticism as well, citing the problems of managing such a wide and varied field. ACE manages multiple professional scenes in China beyond Dota. He also mentions that King accepted the position of Chairman despite knowing that it would be a position plagued by problems and controversies without any remuneration.
Since ACE solidified its presence this year, King has brought up multiple times that he wanted to resign, but looking inside, who is there that can keep all the clubs happy while also not presenting a large conflict of interest?
He also reiterated the role of ACE in China in providing stability for the clubs and players, and its necessary existence to manage a burgeoning industry. He suggests that ACE as an organization is purely for the good of the eSports scene, and hopes to see greater development led by the players, especially with the creation of a player's alliance (player's union). He also highlights the negativity of flaming, which serves no purpose other than to force clubs to shut down and teams to disband earlier so as to not tarnish their reputations.
Just as it is for the players, it should be for those who truly love Dota, I think we must support ACE. I hope we can all calmly realize ACE’s role and extent of power. ACE represents the various clubs, yet the clubs are the most important element in this professional scene. Each ACE decision is come upon by the clubs collectively, so, if you support the clubs yet still say you are against ACE, this is a contradiction. For the players it is the same, ACE looks forward to the day when a players’ alliance emerges, because this also represents advancement in our industry.
