Richard Lewis Slams BLAST for Mishandling BLAST Fall Finals and Astralis Investigation
Veteran esports journalist Richard Lewis did not hold back in his criticism of BLAST for their handling of the Fall Finals in Copenhagen.
Richard Lewis, known for his no-nonsense approach to exposing issues in the esports industry, took aim at BLAST's mishandling of technical issues, production decisions, and their controversial handling of the Astralis cheating investigation during a livestream on Twitch.
One of the central points of Richard Lewis’ criticism was BLAST's handling of what seems like an intentional breach of the rules from Astralis in regards to the emergency substitution of Casper "cadiaN" Møller. Despite the organization’s public call for an investigation into the Danish team's alleged misconduct, BLAST chose to feature Astralis prominently in their broadcast, including segments that seemed more like promotional content than investigative updates.
You can see the segment about BLAST from Richard Lewis in the video down below.
Lack of Accountability from BLAST
Tone-Deaf Broadcasting: During the BLAST Fall Finals, BLAST ran a segment dedicated to Astralis, discussing the team's future and their challenges, without addressing the ongoing investigation. Lewis called out BLAST for glorifying a team under scrutiny, instead of focusing on competitive integrity.
Questionable Priorities: Richard Lewis emphasized that the only message about Astralis that should have appeared during the broadcast was an update on the investigation. He argued that anything less undermines the seriousness of the cheating allegations and the credibility of the tournament.
According to Lewis, BLAST’s decision to include positive coverage of Astralis during such a crucial moment was not only inappropriate but also a direct slap in the face to fans who value fair play in esports.
Technical and Production Failures Mar BLAST’s Fall Finals
Beyond the controversy surrounding Astralis, Richard Lewis also took issue with the multiple technical difficulties that plagued the CS2 tournament. A critical moment in the match between FaZe Clan and Na'Vi was interrupted by a network issue that led to a 20-minute delay, draining momentum from the game and frustrating both players and viewers.
Extended Downtime: Lewis pointed out that the length of the technical pause was equivalent to an entire map of play in CS. He criticized BLAST for their lack of preparedness, questioning why they didn't have fail-safes like multiple internet lines or better DDoS protection in place.
Failed Communication: According to Lewis, BLAST’s failure to clearly communicate the cause of the issues and their lack of a transparent update to fans only worsened the situation. He compared this handling unfavorably to how other tournament organizers manage similar situations.
Criticism of Production Choices and Venue Problems
Richard Lewis did not hold back when it came to criticizing BLAST’s production decisions during the event. He took issue with the choice to move the finals from the Royal Arena to the Forum, which significantly affected the viewing experience for fans both in-person and online.
Poor Production Decisions: Lewis was baffled by BLAST's decision to focus on promotional content for Astralis, a team under investigation, rather than highlighting the more exciting storylines from the finals. He called this a major misstep, particularly given the event's technical setbacks.
Venue Disappointment: Fans at the Forum venue experienced poor visibility, with premium ticket holders reporting obstructed views of the main screen and limited access to food and beverages. Lewis emphasized that these logistical issues contributed to an overall negative experience for attendees.
The decision to relocate the event to a lesser venue and the subsequent logistical failures were seen as cost-cutting measures that ultimately backfired. Lewis highlighted how these decisions tarnished BLAST's reputation, suggesting that they chose short-term savings over delivering a high-quality experience.
Lack of Fan Engagement and Response
One of Richard Lewis’s strongest criticisms was aimed at BLAST’s lack of engagement with their audience during and after the event. Despite the overwhelming negative feedback from fans on Reddit and other platforms, BLAST’s response was seen as inadequate and dismissive.
Ignored Criticism: According to Lewis, BLAST has failed to directly address the concerns raised by the community about the event’s organization, technical issues, and handling of the Astralis scandal. He called for more transparency and accountability from BLAST's leadership.
Missed Opportunity for Improvement: Lewis suggested that a more proactive response from BLAST, including a public apology and a clear outline of the steps they would take to rectify these issues, could have salvaged their reputation. Instead, the lack of direct communication only served to deepen the dissatisfaction among fans.
The next BLAST CS2 tournament will take place in Singapore, when the BLAST Premier World Finals will be played out from the 30th of October.
