Mobile Legends: Is Moonton blacklisting VeeWise?

It’s been more than a week since MPL-PH Season 12 ended, and people are still talking about the tournament, but for entirely different reasons. Throughout the playoffs, one topic garnered significant attention among Mobile Legends fans in the Philippines – OhMyV33Nus and Wise.

V33Nus and Wise have always been associated with controversy. From the beginning of their respective careers through their lowest lows and highest highs, this duo has consistently been a topic of discussion, usually for not-so-good reasons.

It’s widely known that V33Nus has been the target of cyberbullying due to his gender preference, not just locally but also in countries where Blacklist competes. Whenever V33Nus and Blacklist International take the stage at tournaments, the comment section is often filled with homophobic remarks. V33Nus has shown remarkable resilience, possibly thanks to years of enduring such comments and developing a thicker skin. Additionally, his partner Wise has consistently supported V33Nus, strengthening their bond beyond their esports careers. Sadly, we live in a world where people face criticism not for their skills but for their differing beliefs and sexual preferences, particularly in the online realm, where many feel emboldened behind their screens.

No VeeWise, No Win?

When VeeWise announced their break from competitive tournaments, many fans worried that Blacklist International might not perform well without their captain and main jungler. The duo took this break to recharge and spend time with their families after years of dedicated effort. This sentiment is understandable, given that this duo contributed to multiple final appearances and championship wins, including the world championship of M3. However, V33Nus and Wise expressed their trust in the skills and chemistry of the entire Blacklist roster and offered their full support to the team.

Blacklist International quickly adapted without VeeWise and demonstrated that they could perform independently, showcasing the skills that earned them a place in the esports world. Not only did the team reach the grand finals of MPL-PH Season 12, but they also qualified for the world championship M5.

Greatest Mobile Legends Players Nominees

It came as a shock to many that OhMyV33Nus and Wise were not included in the nominees for Mobile Legends’ Greatest Players. One could argue that nominees were chosen based on their achievements, and VeeWise is no stranger to receiving awards and trophies. Take a look at these two’s accomplishments.

Moreover, they have a broad audience extending beyond the Philippine gaming community. V33Nus has played a pivotal role in promoting inclusivity and diversity in Mobile Legends and earned respect from high-caliber competitive players due to his in-game shot-calling and enemy movement prediction. Wise, on the other hand, is known for using unconventional heroes and making them meta, with other teams copying his strategies, builds, and hero choices.

“Illegal” Activity

During a recent podcast by VeeWise, V33Nus revealed that Moonton informed them they wouldn’t be nominated due to their association with a betting site. V33Nus and Wise accepted this consequence without objections. However, some keen fans noticed that the criteria seemed to be released only when the Philippine nominees were revealed, raising questions about the timing.

https://www.facebook.com/MLBBEsportsOfficial/posts/pfbid02b37WSD7cUcwd1woEkJC1HeXHYmKGAefNxJH42XQpygKccJ2tooycM9qfYNzSSAyhl

If the same criteria applied to other regions, it would make sense for it to have been disclosed before any nominees from those regions were announced.

Fans also pointed out that a nominee from Myanmar has actively promoted a betting site for a couple of years without any consequences. This contrast in treatment is perplexing. The podcast revealed that this was why Moonton excluded the legendary duo.

Is Moonton Taking It Personally?

Many pro players in esports receive sponsorship offers, and most are likely to accept them since players won’t always be at their peak and will eventually give way to a new generation. It’s a smart business move to maximize your reach, especially if the endorsement is legal. Rivalry is a legal gambling company with international licensing. It doesn’t appear to fall under the “illegal activities.”

VeeWise is known for doing watch parties, especially for games and matches they are not participating in, to support the community. Many other streamers received permission to do the same and provide commentary. However, Wise Gaming’s YouTube watch party was flagged for copyright during the MPL-PH Season 12 series, which indicates that Moonton may be taking things too personally, as other streamers with more viewers weren’t flagged for copyright.

@denebztar

Paki explain ang pettiness Moontoon/MPL. Again, nagmumukhang kayawa tawa ang rules nyo dahil hindi applied equally sa lahat ng mga players and organizations. #supportveewise #mplph #darksystemmoontoon

♬ swimming galaxy(1393727) – little steps

• M3 Estes Skin

  • V33Nus also raised the issue when Mobile Legend fans gave a 1-star review to the game because Moonton wanted Blacklist to choose a different hero for their M3 skin.
  • Blacklist firmly chose Estes, as it made sense to pick a signature hero for Blacklist. This might have added to the friction.

• Trailer Issue

  • Another point of contention was when Moonton decided to play a trailer during the M5 group draw, showcasing world champions but skipping M3, where Blacklist won.
  • Moonton argued it was a teaser for the “Greatest Players” awards, but the timing seemed unusual and may have been perceived as petty.

@blacklistintl

They might have forgotten, but we’ll always remember.

♬ original sound – Blacklist International – Blacklist International

Conclusion

From my perspective, Moonton may be making excessive efforts to penalize the duo. The actions taken so far seem to affect VeeWise, while others are immune to the same rules and regulations. Maintaining equality and fairness is crucial for the players and the community. Whether Moonton will issue a statement addressing these concerns remains uncertain. Fans need to consider both sides and hear what Moonton has to say if they decide to make a statement. We hope that the Mobile Legends community prioritizes integrity and places the community first, as it is the fans and pro players who keep the game thriving.

UPDATE: Ace withdraws. Read Moonton’s statement below:

We appreciate ACE’s cooperation and compliance with the award rules, and we are even more grateful for his outstanding contributions to the M Series, bringing unforgettable game memories to MLBB Esports fans. Many misunderstandings have arisen due to the lack of investigation and negligence in operations, which has inconvenienced the fans and players, and we would like to apologize for this. We seek your understanding of ACE’s withdrawal. Please continue to support the other nominees based on their merit, contributions, and positive societal influence.

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with Blacklist International. My thoughts and opinions are solely mine and do not represent Spiel Times as a company.
We have reached out to Moonton about these issues but have yet to receive a response. An article update will be published if we receive a response from them.