The State of League of Legends... Can It Be Fixed? (ft. PapaSmithy)

New York just sued Valve, and Harris Peskin breaks down why the CS case gambling lawsuit could reshape how video games make money.   ExpressVPN: Secure your online data today by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/horsemen, and find out how you can get up to four extra months.   Raycon: The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring! Go to https://buyraycon.com/horsemenopen to get 20% off.   PrizePicks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!   Ridge: Right now, Ridge is having their once-a-year Anniversary Sale! Head to https://Ridge.com/HORSEMAN  to get up to 40% off. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What actually happened to 2XKO? Rooflemonger joins MonteCristo, Thorin, and Richard Lewis for a deep dive into Riot Games’ new fighter: 2XKO. We discuss its rocky launch, confusing name, use of the League of Legends IP, small roster, monetization strategy, and why expectations may have been wildly misaligned with reality... leading to layoffs. We also explore how the broader gaming industry’s shift toward legacy IP affects new titles and why single‑player experiences still matter in fighting games.   Make processes faster and help your teams stay ahead with Notion! Support the show and try Custom Agents now at https://notion.com/FOURHORSEMEN   Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!   Head to https://factormeals.com/horsemen50off and use code horsemen50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year.   Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code HORSEMAN at https://shopmando.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Should Riot Games remove franchising from League of Legends? In this episode of The Four Horsemen, Monte, Thorin, Richard Lewis, and Guest Horseman/esports attorney Harris Peskin break down why franchising was created, what the teams actually demanded from Riot, how Overwatch League accelerated the timeline, and why dissolving franchising today would be far more complicated—and far more damaging—than many fans realize. We also cover the recent 2XKO news and the flawed arguments in The Wooloo article calling for franchising to be removed. NOTE: The opening line of this episode was re-recorded due to an error. The rest of the video is left intact. Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Secure your online data TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/horsemen Quit overspending on wireless with 50% off Unlimited premium wireless! Plans start at $15/month at https://MintMobile.com/FOURHORSEMEN Raycon's Essential Open Earbuds are here to help you go for gold. Go to https://buyraycon.com/horsemenOPEN to get 15% off. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The esports model for teams is broken! We break down why the current esports ecosystem is financially broken for teams and how publisher-controlled revenue models have created deep misalignment. Featuring Gen.G CEO Arnold Hur, the conversation explores why previous league revenue models failed, how Riot’s approach in League of Legends and VALORANT differs, the rise of “moneyball” roster building, and what a future Superleague or structural reset might look like. We also cover alternative revenue opportunities, the state of sponsorship value, and what meaningful changes could actually save the ecosystem. Eat smart at https://FactorMeals.com/horsemen50off and use code horsemen50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year. Quit overspending on wireless with 50% off Unlimited premium wireless! Plans start at $15/month at https://MintMobile.com/FOURHORSEMEN Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code HORSEMEN at https://shopmando.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Four Horsemen deliver their annual State of League of Legends! PapaSmithy joins MonteCristo, Thorin, and Richard Lewis begin by discussing the LCS and its troubled recent history. They react to "The Data" that convinced Riot Games to switch the LCS to weekdays and bemoan the missed opportunities that the league ignored for years. The crew also dives into topics surrounding League of Legends as a game, including the upcoming Client update, the game's readability issues, and the unfortunate state of new player experience. They close the show by discussing profitability of LoL esports, focusing on massive player salaries, statements made by T1 leadership, and ideas that could potentially help teams stay afloat. Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Raycon's Essential Open Earbuds are here to help you crush your new year goals! Go to https://buyraycon.com/HORSEMENOPEN to get 20% off sitewide. This January, quit overspending on wireless with 50% off Unlimited premium wireless. Plans start at $15/month at https://MintMobile.com/FOURHORSEMEN Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code HORSEMEN at https://shopmando.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Four Horsemen return with their annual State of Counter-Strike special, featuring messioso (now Head of CS Operations at 100 Thieves) to break down the health of North American and global Counter-Strike in 2025. They dive into 100 Thieves’ re-entry into CS with a European-based roster, the impact of betting sponsors, and what Rain, gla1ve, and a rumored device pickup really mean for the scene. They also debate expectations for new “super teams,” the dominance of Vitality, the resurgence of FURIA, and whether this year ranks among the all-time great CS seasons.  Come join LFN hosts and fans for some fun competition in Mechabellum this holiday season! Play in our 2v2 tournament on December 20th to have a chance to win $500 in cash alongside in-game rewards. Use code “LastFreeNation” in Mechabellum to earn a special, holiday-themed in-game reward (available starting the 18th of December).Mechabellum on Steam: https://bit.ly/4oLm3Jg  If you want to get ExpressVPN at its lowest price ever, plus four extra months of service, go to https://ExpressVPN.com/HORSEMEN  Eat smart at https://FactorMeals.com/horsemen50off and use code horsemen50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year!  Take advantage of Ridge’s Biggest Sale of the Year and GET UP TO 47% Off by going to https://www.Ridge.com/HORSEMAN  Raycon audio products are up to 20% off this holiday season! Go to https://buyraycon.com/HORSEMENOPEN to save on Raycon audio products sitewide.  Turn your expensive wireless present into a huge wireless savings future by switching to Mint Mobile! Shop Mint Unlimited Plans at https://MINTMOBILE.com/FOURHORSEMEN  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join esports analysts and industry veterans as they unpack the shocking demise of theScore Esports YouTube channel, dissect Twitch’s ongoing struggles, and expose the shifting power dynamics fueled by Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in competitive gaming.  The Last Free Nation merch shop is open, and now includes the Four Horsemen logo t-shirt! Show off your fandom and support us and by purchasing the high-quality items on our merch shop. Check our website for more info on shipping! https://lastfreenation.shop  Black Friday is around the corner, and Raycon audio products are up to 30% off sitewide! Go to https://buyraycon.com/HORSEMENOPEN to save on Raycon audio products sitewide.  Ready to say yes to saying no? Make the switch at https://MINTMOBILE.com/fourhorsemen.Upfront payment of $45 required (equivalent to $15/mo.). Limited time new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speeds may slow above 35GB on Unlimited plan. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details.  Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!  Eat smart at https://FactorMeals.com/horsemen50off and use code horsemen50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Four Horsemen, the hosts dive deep into the massive shake-up in the Counter-Strike skin market caused by Valve’s recent update. They unpack how Valve’s “trade-up” changes have crashed high-tier item prices, wiping out an estimated $2-3 billion in market value overnight, and explore the long history of skins gambling scandals, influencer manipulation, and the hidden economics that prop up the CS esports scene.  The Last Free Nation merch shop is open, and now includes the Four Horsemen logo t-shirt! Show off your fandom and support us and by purchasing the high-quality items on our merch shop. Check our website for more info on shipping! https://lastfreenation.shop  Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% off Ridge at https://Ridge.com by using code HORSEMAN at checkout  Protect your online privacy TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/horsemen and you can get up to four extra months.  Black Friday is around the corner, and Raycon audio products are up to 30% off sitewide! Go to https://buyraycon.com/HORSEMENOPEN to save on Raycon audio products sitewide.  Ready to say yes to saying no? Make the switch at https://MINTMOBILE.com/fourhorsemen.Upfront payment of $45 required (equivalent to $15/mo.). Limited time new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speeds may slow above 35GB on Unlimited plan. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this explosive episode of The Four Horsemen, we dive deep into the biggest controversies shaking up the League of Legends esports scene. RichsWrath joins to discuss Bwipo's suspension and removal from the Worlds music video, Riot Games’ questionable decision-making, and the disastrous rebrand of the LCS.  Follow our link and use code HORSEMEN to unlock 10% off your purchase at Manta Sleep! https://tinyurl.com/mtjk9dsj  Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% off Ridge at https://Ridge.com by using code HORSEMAN at checkout  Protect your online privacy TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/horsemen and you can get up to four extra months FREE.  Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code HORSEMEN at shopmando.com!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this explosive episode of The Four Horsemen, we dive deep into the scandals, controversies, and tragedies that have shaped the Super Smash Bros. and FGC communities. Joined by YouTuber Technicals, we unpack years of drama — from Saudi Arabia's esports influence to some of the darkest moments in Smash history.  This discussion provides a raw, unfiltered look at the systemic problems in Smash — from lack of governance to selective enforcement and moral hypocrisy. Whether you’re a fighting game fan, esports insider, or casual viewer, this is essential viewing to understand the culture, consequences, and people shaping competitive Smash.  Eat smart at https://FactorMeals.com/horsemen50off and use code horsemen50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year.  One thing to pack, five ways to power! Our listeners can get 10% off on Ridge's Power Bank at https://Ridge.com by using code HORSEMAN at checkout  Protect your online privacy TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/horsemen and you can get up to four extra months FREE.  Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.