Overwatch League is getting roasted for this bad tournament setup

gamesradar.com:

Overwatch League's latest pro gaming setup is getting roasted by fans and participants alike on social media.

Gael 'Poko' Gouzerch posted an image of the setup on Twitter just before the start of this week's Midseason Madness tournament, with the cautious message that "tomorrow should be… exciting?!!" The image shows two sets of desks crammed up closely against each other, conjuring images of opposing teams kicking each other under the table when things get heated.

Tomorrow should be … exciting ?!! pic.twitter.com/b5I3cVzhu6July 18, 2022

The setup endured plenty of criticism from fans and the esports community. One of the most notable complaints came from Houston Outlaws coach Jacob 'Jake' Lyon (opens in new tab). "Nonstandard competition desks (who plays with a curved desk?) and players easily close enough to hear each other’s comms especially between rounds. We were told this morning that nothing is going to be changed or fixed."

Even Blizzard's own venerable host Soe 'Soembie' Gschwind said (opens in new tab) "At this point I am convinced someone was actively trying to put together a 2008 LAN throwback setup. Like...wut?! If I can either throw hands or play footsies with my opponent, I am too close."

While Poko's image does, indeed, make this look like a bad way to play an esport, the setup does look a bit different now that the tournament has gotten underway. An image from a break during a match between Florida Mayhem and Houston Outlaws (opens in new tab), which you can see below, shows that the desks have been moved further apart, a cloth backing has been added, and a straight-edged table top has been added.

Still, it's a far cry from the plans for multi-million dollar Overwatch League arenas (opens in new tab)