Introduction: The S16 season has officially kicked off, and I'm sure most players have been closely following the recent matches. The LPL region has been quite competitive. With the launch of League of Legends' Classic Server, the LPL organizers have put together some exciting events, allowing veteran players to relive the glory days. The appearance of Uzi and Tabe truly brought back memories of the old Royal Club era, while Misaya's presence made the phrase "Congratulations to WE" ring in our ears once more. In this exhibition match, Uzi once again used Vayne to recreate that iconic play—it's clear the Classic Server has a strong pull.

Uzi's Vayne reproduces top-tier positioning to take down three enemies in a reverse kill.

Most players are familiar with League of Legends, a competitive esports title that has grown remarkably over the past decade or so. In recent years, the esports industry has seen a decline, and under the current unfavorable circumstances, Riot has been looking for ways to revitalize interest by frequently updating the game. While this has attracted some players, it has also alienated a portion of the veteran community. In an effort to return to the classics, Riot has developed the Classic Server, and its official launch has generated immense excitement among fans.

The LPL organizers know exactly what fans want. After the regular regional matches, they arranged a brand-new Classic Server exhibition, with everything from the in-game visuals to the commentary harkening back to the golden era. The commentary team of Haier Brothers (Mile and Wawa) along with Ju Gen and San Huang brought many fans back to Season 3. The invited guests were also incredible. Uzi and Tabe took the stage together, with Uzi even wearing Vayne's signature red-tinted glasses. The presence of Misaya and the others evoked memories of the old WE team. Honestly, this exhibition match was missing one key figure—the beloved Clearlove. If he had been in the jungle, the hype would have been even higher.

In this Classic Server exhibition, Uzi and Tabe once again pulled off a famous moment. At the six-minute mark, three Demacia players ganked the bottom lane, and Tabe's Annie stunned multiple opponents with perfect timing. Uzi then executed a series of incredible dodges, securing a 1-for-3 trade before being taken down by a stray Ezreal ultimate from Sao Nan. The biggest culprit in that play was probably Xiao Xiao's Nunu, who spent most of the tower dive tanking and wandering around—he barely even auto-attacked Uzi. Misaya's Gragas was incredibly impressive, even landing a "scattering flowers" ultimate in the enemy jungle, finishing the game with a 14-0 KDA to claim the MVP title.

During the interviews, many fans were taken back in time. WE's 48-match winning streak is truly unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated. Players who have tried the Classic Server can feel that the game pace is very slow, champion stats are overwhelming, and runes and masteries require reaching level 30 to unlock fully. The overall gameplay doesn't seem as engaging as the current version. Even Guan Zeyuan commented that the greatest value of the Classic Server is reminding players how impressive the game designers' ideas have been over the years.

In conclusion,

It's clear that the Classic Server has generated significant interest, but it might not translate into high player spending, especially on skins. The developers might end up with little to show for their efforts. Most casual players are likely just looking to try the game out, as leveling up to 30 again is quite a grind. The developers' decision to start from scratch was a misstep—players should have been given max level and all masteries from the start, with runes purchasable using in-game gold earned through matches.

What do you, the audience, think about this situation?