M3 is upon us and we’ve been all relishing the battles between the regions’ top teams.
But while we have been enjoying the action from Singapore, the tournament feels incomplete without the presence of a team from Myanmar. Even more so, given that the runner-ups are Myanmar’s Burmese Ghouls.
As gamers, we normally don’t care too much about politics. However, if politics affects gaming, then we have a problem. On 1 Feb 2021, just after the triumphant Burmese Ghouls returned to the country as the M2 World Championship runner-ups, the Myanmar military staged a coup that caused long-lasting effects on Myanmarese.
For several days, the military even decided to cut the people’s access to the internet, causing much distress to the populace. Gamers were not spared too as they were no longer able to play their favourite games such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).
The disruption made history as it caused MPL Myanmar to skip Season 6 this year, resulting in Myanmar having to forfeit their slot in the ongoing M3 World Championship (M3). MPL Myanmar was stuck in limbo as the country slowed to a grinding halt.
Players, managers and investors alike were left helpless at this unforeseen scenario. Those relying on the league for a livelihood struggled to find alternative ways to make ends meet. The future of MPLMM is anyone’s guess. The only solace players can get from the current situation is that they are still able to play MLBB now, albeit with minimal other interactions and forums to discuss the game from.
As the Dec 6-19 M3 progresses, there lies a gaping hole where the team from Myanmar should be occupying. Legions of Myanmar MLBB fans are in dismay as the nation is not able to send a team to keep the world title on Myanmar soil – and through no fault of the gaming community.
Yet the competition presses on, with new additions from Saudi Arabia, Peru, Turkey and North America serving to inject new life into the tournament.
One can only hope that the situation in Myanmar stabilises as soon as possible so that we may yet see the return of the kings from Myanmar, Burmese Ghouls and their players. When they return, it will be a brand new competitive environment and a new meta.
