In a surprising turn of events, Bandai Namco has banned ILIAS, a player who achieved the top position on the regional leaderboard for TEKKEN World Tour 2024, for competing outside his designated region. The ban, lasting one year, will see the runner-up take over his spot.
Qualification for TEKKEN World Tour 2024 Finals
Players could qualify for the TEKKEN World Tour 2024 Finals through two main avenues: competing in international events to secure a position among the top 20 on the global leaderboard or participating in regional tournaments to claim a spot as the local champion.
While the list of participants for the TWT 2024 Finals has largely been finalized, this recent controversy has stirred the community.
Official Statement on the Ban
The official Bandai Namco Esports account announced the ban, which states that ILIAS will be replaced by the runner-up for the number one spot in the North & East Africa region. The ban prohibits him from participating in all official competitions organized by Bandai Namco, including the TEKKEN World Tour 2025.
Who Is ILIAS and Why Was He Banned?
ILIAS, who has Moroccan roots but is based in the Netherlands, competed in Morocco for the TEKKEN World Tour 2024. According to tournament rules, he was required to register and compete in his primary region, West Europe. ILIAS acknowledged this issue publicly before the official announcement and expressed his regrets about his decision.
The Controversy
The TEKKEN 8 community is divided over this ban. Some argue that stripping ILIAS of his hard-earned achievement is unfair, as he legitimately earned his number one ranking through competition in Moroccan events.
Previously, Bandai Namco had banned a Chinese player from the TWT Master event at TGU 2024, as that region was not part of the official circuit, highlighting a precedent for such actions.
Critics of the ban point out significant skill disparities between various competitive regions. Players from regions with more robust competitive scenes, such as Korea or Pakistan, might find it easier to qualify in less competitive environments, which could be detrimental to local players.
ILIAS’s Competitive History
Despite the setback, ILIAS is a promising young player with potential for a bright future in competitive TEKKEN. In the latter part of the TEKKEN 7 era, he achieved several top 8 placements in tier 3 tournaments. In TEKKEN 8, he has participated in both tier 2 and tier 1 events.
- Ultimate Fighting Arena 2024: Finished 13th-16th
- The MIXUP 2024: Finished 49th-64th
- DreamHack Summer 2024: Finished 49th-64th
Lookin Ahead
The TEKKEN World Tour 2024 Finals is scheduled to take place from December 5 to December 8 in Tokyo, Japan. Don´t miss the action!
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