August 19, 2025

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AUGUST 19 - SEPTEMBER 1 2025

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NEWS

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025

02

Anchorage captures the world’s attention as Trump meets Putin A busy day of protests, travel and news reporting took place in Anchorage while the world watched the historic Alaska Summit

By Murat Demir

copy.editor@thenorthernlight.org

Anchorage, Alaska was the focus of global attention during the historic Alaska Summit between U.S. President Donald

Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Aug. 15.

The city witnessed several pro-

tests and a welcome gathering for President Trump. Approximately 700 journalists traveled

to Anchorage from around the world to cover the event, according to Alaska Public Media.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

Demonstrators wave flags outside the Midtown Mall to welcome U.S. President Trump to Anchorage.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

Two supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump pose for a photograph during the Trump welcome rally outside the Midtown Mall.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

A man displays his middle finger at anti-fascist protesters as they march past.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

A protester presents his Ukrainian flag-colored attire to oncoming traffic during a pro-Ukraine protest.

A journalist captures footage of a pro-Ukraine protest in downtown Anchorage.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

News reporters park in front of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson entrance the morning of the summit.

Air Force One carrying U.S. President Donald Trump descends into Anchorage, Alaska.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

A member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation Anchorage leads approximately 500 protesters on a march through downtown Anchorage.

NEWS

03

UAA’s parking permit prices increase Parking permit prices have risen and the early bird special has ended

By Hannah Dillon

editor@thenorthernlight.org

Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services Ryan Bucholdt sent a document on July 30 to UAA faculty and students that wrote, “I have approved a series of roughly 10% UAA parking

permit price increases effective fall 2025. This includes ending the early bird discount.”

Parking Services receives funding through earned revenue rather than general funds. Parking Services handles all campus snow removal, annual garage debt, maintenance of parking lots, parking enforcement, the

Seawolf Shuttle and U-PASS, according to the document.

Bucholdt then listed the annual cost for each service. Snow removal can cost up to $800,000 while debt for the East Parking Garage totals at $777,000.

Bucholdt wrote that during COVID-19 and the following years, the organization accumu-

lated a debt of approximately $5 million due to a lack of revenue earnings.

Bucholdt wrote, “We cannot continue to carry a massive parking deficit. Additionally, the board is requiring this auxiliary’s fund balance return to the positive within 5-7 years.”

Bucholdt wrote that to lower

financial impact, Parking Services partnered with UA Payroll so students and faculty may pay their fees incrementally on pretax payroll deductions from 12 pay periods to 16.

Students can now purchase standard semester parking passes for $198.

We cannot continue to carry a massive parking deficit. Additionally, the board is requiring this auxiliary’s fund balance return to the positive within 5-7 years.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR HECKART.

“Parking Permit Required” signs.

Trump and Putin meet in Anchorage for historic summit

By Murat Demir

copy.editor@thenorthernlight.org

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir

Putin met in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15 to discuss the Russia-Ukraine War. The two leaders arrived early morning at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson where the summit was

scheduled to take place.

Trump and Putin gave a joint press conference following their meeting. The agreements between the two parties were not disclosed during the conference.

“We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to,” said Trump.

Putin, speaking in Russian to reporters, said relations between Russia and the U.S. were at their lowest point since the Cold War and that a meeting between the two heads of state was long overdue.

Putin is the first Russian head of state in history to visit Alaska, as reported by KTUU. After a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the Alaska Summit, the two leaders announced they would meet in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Aug. 18, according to Axios.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to.

PHOTO BY JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON, COURTESY OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump greet each other after landing in Anchorage, Alaska.

NEWS

04

Video: US-Russia Summit lands in Alaska

On Aug. 15, 2025, Anchorage, Alaska’s military base, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, or JBER, hosted the US-Russia Summit

By Anja Burnett

layout@thenorthernlight.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF PBS NEWS.

Renovations temporarily impact UAA library The library’s north entrance is expected to remain closed until late 2026 for the construction of the Alaska Leaders Archive

By Murat Demir

copy.editor@thenorthernlight.org

Parts of the UAA/APU Consortium Library will be affected by renovations until late 2026 for the addition of the Alaska Leaders Archive.

The Alaska Leaders Archive will be a public archive that pre-

serves records of Alaska’s leaders throughout history for public education.

Senior project manager for UAA Facilities Planning & Construction, Cory Fischer, spoke to The Northern Light about the renovations in an email interview.

Fischer wrote, “A new approximately 5000 square-foot

environmentally conditioned archival vault will be created on the first floor to house current and future donations.”

Fischer wrote that the north entry will be closed until late 2026 for renovations, including a new elevator, staff desk area and an extension to create a more formal entrance that will represent the Alaska Leaders

Archive.

“Once complete this entry will be accessible to all users of the Library,” wrote Fischer.

“Parking will also be impacted due to the need for a contractor staging area to accommodate materials, equipment, and access to the work area.”

Fischer wrote that the library’s external book drop was

relocated near the entrance to the Social Sciences Building.

He wrote the rest of the library will remain open during the construction, with temporary site walls installed to reduce noise and debris.

A new approximately 5000 square-foot environmentally conditioned archival vault will be created on the first floor to house current and future donations.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

A sign warns pedestrians of the construction site at the UAA/APU Consortium Library.

NEWS

05

RFK Jr. visits Alaska after cutting $500M for vaccine research

Kennedy discussed tribal health at a press conference in Anchorage hours after cutting $500 million in mRNA vaccine development funding

By Murat Demir

copy.editor@thenorthernlight.org

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 5 to discuss health care with state officials and tribal health organizations.

Kennedy was joined by Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan in a press conference at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, where they spoke about federal commitments to rural health care in Alaska introduced under the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

“We want to work with the tribes. We want to recognize and support their sovereignty,” said Kennedy.

Hours before the press conference, Kennedy announced that the Department of Health and Human Services will end 22 vaccine development research

We’re going to shift that money to develop a universal vaccine programs by cutting $500 million in funding, according to the Associated Press.

During the conference, Kennedy claimed mRNA vaccines are ineffective against upper respiratory illnesses.

“We’re going to shift that money to develop a universal vaccine,” he said.

Protesters gathered outside of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium in opposition to Kennedy’s stance on health care.

A spokesperson at the conference stated that Kennedy would continue his visit to Alaska over the next two days.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sits with Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan.

‘No camping’ sign at Anchorage park causes confusion

By Murat Demir

copy.editor@thenorthernlight.org

Park visitors in Anchorage have called attention to a sign posted by the Municipality of Anchorage that appeared to display contradictory language regarding camping at Davis Park and other parks across the city.

The sign states: “THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES ARE PROHIBITED UNDER AMC 25.70.040,” followed by “NO CAMPING.” Several visitors at Davis Park

have interpreted the wording to mean that not camping is prohibited — implying that camping at the park is mandatory.

Davis Park has been at the center of debate in Anchorage due to an encampment of homeless residents who lived in the park. The Municipality of Anchorage removed the encampment last month, according to Anchorage Daily News.

PHOTO BY MURAT DEMIR.

A sign at Davis Park informs visitors about prohibited activities.

FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025

06

College 101:

Here are some resources available on the UAA campus

By Alex Luangasa

cartoons@thenorthernlight.org

Welcome new Seawolves of ‘25. Continuing your pursuit of knowledge is a huge “W.” Being a student will have you feeling pressed in no time and it’s important to be aware of the support that’s available.

When I started my freshmen year, not gonna lie, I felt like an NPC — unaware of my surroundings and confused.

To put the fries in the bag, taking advantage of the resources on campus will have you feeling like you just aced an exam.

First off, I encourage y’all to squad up via the Campus Groups app. It has all the deets on current clubs and events. Having multiple squads is goated and helps to manage stress.

Locking in together via study groups is also huge.

Pay attention to the quest markers posted throughout campus, they can assist you to find your

PHOTO BY ENERGEPIC.

What college will feel like sometimes.

tribe.

If you run out of food to cook, you can pull up to the Seawolf Food Pantry,

located in the Professional Studies Building. You’re able to use this service twice a month and it provides a three-day supply

of shelf-stable food.

It was created by faculty from the dietetics and nutrition program, so I’m sure they’ll provide ingre-

dients to make sure that the food slaps.

College is a great place to meet like-minded peo-

ple. Maybe you’ll rizz up someone, get ghosted, be left on read or you’re just simply not him, her or them — and that’s okay.

It’s easy to become delulu and be trapped in a negative mentality but there is support. The Student Heath and Counseling Center and the Psychological Services Center are here and will hopefully get you back in tune with your main character energy.

The Student Health and Counseling Center also provides services such as seasonal flu shots, STI screening and contraceptives.

If your bestie or peeps exhibit sus behavior, you can refer them to the Care Team anonymously, and they will reach out to gas them up.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the resources UAA offers, and I hope you explore campus, the website or talk to a trusted boomer. Finally, chat, the last tip I have is to check your emails, that’s the sauce fr fr.

How to navigate UAOnline A guide to all UAOnline portals

By Hannah Dillon

editor@thenorthernlight.org

UAOnline is how UAA students register and withdraw from classes, check DegreeWorks, and fill out time sheets if they are student employees.

When searching “UAOnline Services,” students will see a screen that shows a “For Students” section and a “For Faculty & Staff” section.

Students should select their respective university and approve their log-in through Duo Mobile.

Duo is a multi-factor authentication app that was recently adopted by UAA. One of the simplest ways to accept entry on Duo is through the downloadable app.

When first logging into the Duo app, click “use activation code” and you will receive a third-party passcode, which you can enter in to the authenticator.

UAOnline will then load student profiles. Stu-

SCREEN CAPTURE BY HANNAH DILLON.

UAOnline main portal screen.

dent profiles are the main hub where basic student information is available.

This includes the student’s GPA, degree advisors and upcoming classes.

The left side of the student profile is a column of links that takes users to 11 different UAA related web pages.

“UAA Navigate 360” is a useful tool for creating appointments with student advisors.

“Browse Offered Classes” is a resource for finding every class the university offers for that semester. It does not offer registration information

like the next link.

“Schedule Planner and Registration” is how all students register for, withdraw from, and learn about classes. Select your campus to build your schedule for the upcoming semester.

On the “Build Schedule” page, students can click “Add Course,” choose their subject, select the class they want to enroll in and generate possible class schedules.

Once you pick your schedule, send it to the “Shopping Cart” and click “Register” to add the semester’s classes.

To withdraw from classes before the deadline, click “Current Schedule,” on the planner screen.

Then the “Edit or Drop Classes” bar. Change the class from “Enrolled” to “Drop - Web” and click “Save.”

Students use “UAA DegreeWorks” to view degree requirements, credits, past course grades, GPA and their student ID. Check DegreeWorks after each semester to ensure grades are correct.

Students have two weeks into the following semester to raise questions about finalized grades.

“Payment Plans” allow students to check their tuition balance, previous semester costs, and enroll in payment plans for bills.

“Unofficial transcript” is similar to DegreeWorks as students can view all previous credit hours. “Order Official Transcript” allows students to pay for a finalized copy of their current UAA transcript.

“Change Directory Hold Information” allows students to choose whether to share certain details in public spaces. UAA’s directory lets users search for nearly all faculty members and their contact information.

Students may also add their information to the directory, but it will not be publicly available unless they opt to release FERPA-protected details.

“View My FERPA Releases” allows students to view any student record information that has been approved by the student to be shared with the university.

“Campus Housing and Dining Services” allows

students to view possible meal plans at the Creekside Eatery or submit applications to resident housing.

“Add/Edit Authorized User” enables other people in addition to the student to view their UAA information, including grades and classes.

Students employed on campus may work up to 20 hours a week and are paid biweekly. Hours worked are reported in UAOnline under the “For Faculty & Staff” section via the “Employee Profile” link.

Students will click “Employee Dashboard,” which houses time sheets, overall earnings, tax information and job summaries. Students may work one or more campus jobs as long as the schedule does not conflict with classes and their total hours reside within the hour cap.

Alex Luangasa assisted in the article’s reporting.

FEATURES

07

Tips and resources for incoming freshmen

By Kaitlyn Gaub

managing.editor@thenorthernlight.org

PHOTO BY KAITLYN GAUB.

College can be stressful and confusing, especially for new students. At UAA, there are a lot of things no one will teach you about how to get the most out of the campus. From learning how to use the printers to knowing how many meal swipes you have left, this story is intended to make your transition smoother.

The UAA/APU Consortium Library has a lot to offer students. Printers are found on the first floor of the library near the elevators. To use the printers, you need to scan your WolfCard and enter your account information in the

computer.

You can print your files from a web browser or via email. Students start each semester with a $15 printing credit at university printers. Printers can be found throughout campus and printed via Bluetooth.

Using the UAA printing website, students can easily print files downloaded on their laptops.

Our library houses thousands of books and articles. For any assignments that require research, the library makes it easy to search for exactly what you are looking for. Go to the UAA/APU

Consortium Library website and type your topic in the search bar.

You can refine results by content type, accessibility, discipline and publication date. It is recommended to search using keywords and straightforward phrasing instead of lengthy sentences. When you locate a piece of material you want to use, either download it or go to the library and speak to a librarian to help track down the materials.

You can also ask the librarians to help you find exactly what you need.

The library offers interlibrary loans if you need materials from another library. This program works for libraries internationally.

The Learning Commons is a fantastic resource for students. If you need help on math, writing, science or anything else, reach out to them.

The Writing Center can also help you edit your papers before turning them in.

Keeping track of your degree progress and required classes can be difficult to easily find. You can view all the information about your degree prog-

ress through the UAA DegreeWorks website.

This page will list out specific classes you will need for your degree as well as General Education Required classes. This is also a useful page to see your GPA. Living on campus is one of the largest transitions for many new students. Living with roommates is almost never easy initially. Make sure you fill out a Roompact agreement with your roommates to establish house rules.

This way, there is one less thing to worry about during the school year. If you have any maintenance problems, you can also put in a work order through Roompact. If you get locked out of your room or have any residence life related issues, reach out to resident assistants by using the phone numbers listed in the lobby of the residence halls and on UAA’s website. For emergencies, call 911 or UPD (907) 786-1120.

University Police also use the Rave Guardian app to send out important safety alerts.

The Student Health and Counseling Center, Psy-

chological Services and Disability Support Services are all resources available to students. This is a good option for accessible care on campus.

The Student Health and Counseling Center helps students with care, including immunization, treatment, STI testing, as well as providing students with health and hygiene items.

The Psychological Services Center provides mental health counseling and treatment to students.

Students experiencing disabilities can use Disability Support Services for accommodations.

Using laundry at UAA is fairly simple. You download the PayRange app, load money onto it, load your washing machine or dryer, then slide to pay on the app and push the start button. Be sure not to leave your clothes in the laundry room for too long, as other students also need to use these machines.

Dining plans are required for students living in residence halls, and can be helpful for other UAA students as well. The dining hall — Creekside Eatery — is located in the Gorsuch Commons.

Its hours and menus are

available on the Creekside Eatery website. If you want to check how many meal swipes you have remaining at any time during the year, you can scan your card in the Ozzi machine in the main hallway of the commons.

You can also use this machine to get a token which you exchange at the desk in the dining hall for a to-go box. Used containers are also returned to the Ozzi machine to be cleaned and to get another coin for a new box.

UAA offers the Seawolf Shuttle across campus, Monday throughThursday. Pick-up and drop-off points are marked in front of campus buildings. Using the BusWhere app, you can track when the next shuttle will arrive at your location.

The university has a lot to offer students to aid in studies and their wellbeing. Getting the most out of these services can help you be successful in your college career. For more information about resources and guides for students, see the UAA Student Services website.

ADS

08

OPINION

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025

09

Video games are too cheap

Satire column: ‘Right Answers Only’

By Scott Hobbs

columnist.editor@thenorthernlight.org

The gaming industry has a pricing issue. Console prices rise as they become more advanced, gaming PC values skyrocket with each NVIDIA graphics card release and — with the announcement of the Switch 2 — individual games being $80 to $90 may be the new standard.

With every price hike, more gamers are voicing their frustrations. Angry nerds are flocking to Reddit and X in droves to whinge about needing to sell a kidney to afford their hobby.

I am sick and tired of hearing about it.

It’s one thing to be loud about your opinion, but it’s another to be loud and wrong. Gamers are lucky that things have been this cheap for this long. Video games are too cheap, and it’s high time that capitalism makes its fortune off of the escapism that gamers benefit from.

First of all, gamers love to pretend that there are no victims from keeping video games cheap. They love to claim that “more people can afford games that way” and that “more expen-

sive games would force them to choose between groceries and ‘GTA VI’.”

But keeping games cheap isn’t victimless — cheaper games are hurting the studios that develop them and the companies that sell them.

For every game that Nintendo sells for a measly $60 instead of a more reasonable $120, they lose vital funding that could be used to sue someone into the ground for pirating “Mother 3.”

Companies like Valve, Epic and Riot Games are kneecapped by having to keep “CounterStrike 2,” “Fortnite” and “Valorant” free.

It’s this very stranglehold that gamers have long had on companies that has led to the worsening quality of modern titles.

Companies have had to be so focused on appeasing their feral fans that they can’t generate enough revenue to fund projects their fans clamor for.

“Half-Life” fans keep begging for “Half-Life 3,” but the only way Valve can afford to make that game a reality would be to stop selling its games for cheap. The second Valve raises prices, fans will pitch a fit, Valve will capitulate to the mob, and

“Half-Life 3” will yet again be put on the back burner.

Another problem I have with gamers grousing about costs is that no one forced them to make gaming their hobby. If you order a sandwich at Subway that tastes horrible, you have no one to blame but yourself. You picked the ingredients for the sandwich, after all.

If you build your own PC with a RTX 5090 and custom liquid cooling, then complain about it being too expensive, you need to go buy some clown makeup. You chose what components you were going to put into your PC, you have no one to blame but yourself for the price.

Finally, gamers like to say that “all they have are video games” and without them “they won’t have anything else to enjoy in their lives.”

I’ve got news for any gamer who gets this far in the article without putting a hole through their device — people enjoyed life before video games existed.

Outside of the dark, dingy rooms of gamers, there is a realm known as “The Great Outdoors.” In this realm, there are seven continents, all with different adventures and side

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH.

All these hundreds should go to paying for one game, it’s time for gamers to pay their fair share!

quests to get involved in.

If you’re a purist, you can choose to stay continent exclusive with your adventures. Or, if you’re a freak with no regard for picking a continent and sticking with it no matter how bad its adventures are, you can mix and match across continents.

Maybe going outside isn’t your style. If that’s the case, buy a cheap bucket of paint from your favorite home improvement store and have it delivered to your house. Then paint any wall of your choice and watch it dry. Not only is this activity fun for the whole family, but it’s self-contained within your living space.

If neither of these options work for you, just try meditating. It’s free, and it doesn’t require you to shower and go outside. The only downside is that you’re trapped in your head, and there’s nowhere to hide from your degenerate gamer thoughts.

While I shudder to think about the fallout of gaming prices being raised again, it’s going to keep happening whether gamers like it or not. Either you need to accept that games are out of your price range and find a new hobby, or you need to get on board and keep buying games no matter how much their prices increase.

Can the WNBA continue to grow?

By Scott Hobbs

columnist.editor@thenorthernlight.org

Within the last few years, all levels of women’s basketball have seen a surge in popularity.

In 2024, viewership of the Women’s March Madness championship spiked up 89% compared to the previous year.

This unprecedented spike led to the first time in history that the women’s championship game was more viewed than the men’s championship game.

It was also the most viewed basketball game since Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors.

At the center of it all was Caitlin Clark, who went first overall in that year’s WNBA draft. A few spots later, Angel Reese was drafted seventh.

The narratives and talent these two — and many other upand-coming players — bring to the WNBA add to the league’s sudden growth.

In all likelihood, the WNBA wouldn’t be able to add six expansion teams to the league if not for the popularity generated

by Clark and Reese.

Despite the future look-

PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES.

ing bright with expansions and young players, many of the headlines surrounding the league are largely negative.

For starters, the league has found itself in a standoff with players over renegotiating its current collective bargaining agreement — CBA. The players’ union opted out of the current CBA last October due to the rapid growth of the league.

The WNBA needs this CBA to get ironed out so it can move forward with operations and expansion drafts for its two new expansion teams set to begin play in 2026. The players want to be paid what they’re owed.

While both sides don’t want the situation to get messy, it al-

ready has.

Following botched talks during the league’s all-star weekend and a moment of solidarity where players wore black pregame T-shirts reading “Pay Us What You Owe Us,” the issue is being seen on the national stage.

An increase in national attention will no doubt lead to both sides coming to an agreement sooner than they otherwise may have. Despite this, it’s not a good look for your league’s major headline to be the issue of paying fair wages to players.

Yet another facet of the game being heavily scrutinized is refereeing. Players and coaches have been clamoring for more

consistency in foul calls. Many preface their statements with the hope that they won’t be fined for expressing their opinions.

The numbers point to the lack of a dramatic shift from previous years in terms of officiating.

In fact, the average number of fouls per game — 18.7 — is the highest it’s been since 2017.

While that doesn’t equate directly to fairness in foul calls, it does point to the fact that referees aren’t necessarily calling fewer fouls on average.

Every major sport has its complaints surrounding foul calls and consistency. The difference between the WNBA and all those other leagues is that there have never been this many people watching their league.

Other major sports leagues also don’t tend to have a slew of physical play and animosity directed toward their star player.

Caitlin Clark has found herself on the receiving end of a significant amount of physicality from other players in the WNBA. She has also repeatedly found herself being the recipient of ire from players saying the league doesn’t need her to be a widely-viewed sport.

And yet, the numbers don’t lie. When Clark isn’t playing,

viewership plummets significantly. Right now, she’s out for an unknown amount of time with yet another injury.

While there isn’t causal evidence that indicates opponents being physical with her have led to this season’s slew of injuries, it’s hard to ignore that it might be the case. Over time, continued lack of consistent officiating could lead to her career being cut short.

None of these are good looks for the WNBA. As a league on a meteoric rise, it can’t have instances of questionable officiating, alleged bad-faith negotiating, and disregard for star players continuing to occur.

The WNBA can continue to grow for the time being. Caitlin Clark is pulling in major viewership when she’s on the court.

When she’s hurt, some viewers still tune in to watch young stars such as Sabrina Ionescu and Paige Bueckers.

Major sports leagues only do well if they are able to handle scrutiny directed towards them.

If the league continues to fail to do so, its newfound viewership will vanish, and the WNBA will be back to being largely irrelevant in the sports landscape.

OPINION

10

Alice in Chains’ ‘Jar of Flies’ review

Reviewing Alice in Chains’ influential 1994 album ‘Jar of Flies’

By Scott Hobbs

columnist.editor@thenorthernlight.org

Alice in Chains is a band with two distinct eras. Their first — which they are more widely known for — is heavy, gritty grunge headlined by lead vocalist Layne Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell. Following Staley’s death from a drug overdose in 2002, the band transitioned to a more refined metal sound — now featuring vocals from William Duvall.

The earlier era is far more well-known due to Cantrell’s prowess writing immaculate riffs on the electric guitar and combining his vocal harmonies with the howl of Staley’s lead vocals. So why is the band’s only album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 somber and focused on acoustic instruments?

Released on Jan. 25, 1994, “Jar of Flies” is a seven-track album rife with vibrant acoustic instrumentals and morose vocals. Gone are the in-your-face anthems of prior albums. “Jar of Flies” gently lulls the listener into a state where they end up wallowing in depression and self-reflection.

The journey to ending up

curled up on the floor bawling your eyes out starts with the track “Rotten Apple.” The sullenly plucked notes of the acoustic guitar and bass mixed with the squawking electric guitar immediately make the listener feel uneasy.

As the verse begins, Staley’s first vocal on the album states bluntly “innocence is over.” On every listen, that line is a hard punch in the stomach, instantly making the listener feel bleak and empty.

The verse continues along at a pedantic pace as Staley’s voice drones over the hum of the guitars. The two swell into an almost discordant harmony as “Rotten Apple” reaches its chorus.

At this point, the not-so-subtle undertones of substance use are front and center. Staley morosely sings about writing his own part in life, eating of the “apple” from a young age and having to crawl back to start.

Whether or not the listener personally struggles with substance use disorder, the idea of yearning to reset in life after a choice made at a young age is near universal.

The song meanders through Staley’s continued reckoning with his choices, needing to “re-

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOUDWIRE.

pent tomorrow” and “suspend his sorrow.” By the end of the almost seven-minute song, the listener will most likely feel dismal.

Then the opening chords of “Nutshell” begin to strum. This song is the most melancholic, defeated song on the album. It sows sorrow in just over four minutes the likes of which can only be rivaled by a dark, snowy winter in Alaska.

Staley despondently sings over the ringing strings of the guitar about his isolation, being all alone in his battle — “no one to cry to, no place to call home.”

Instead of a traditional chorus, “Nutshell” features Staley and Cantrell vocalizing “oohs”

over the continued strumming of the plaintive guitar chords.

The second verse of the song sees Staley resigning himself to his fate. He is isolated, and without anyone, all that repeats in his head is “If I can’t be my own, I’d feel better dead.”

This heavy thought is followed by more “oohs,” then a slow fade out as the guitar rings out into the void of nothingness left in the wake of “Nutshell.”

While other songs like “No Excuses,” “I Stay Away,” “Don’t Follow” and “Swing On This” are all must listens on “Jar of Flies,” the fifth track “Whale & Wasp” is the glue that holds this album together.

Being the song that features

22. “The model _____ for the photograph” 26. Common in movies and outer space 27. Bake shop known for chocolate chip cookies 29. A long, difficult journey 30. Avoiding something undesirable 31. Exxon brand outside America 32. Fourth planet in the solar

system 33. A collection of objects 34 Requested response 35. “He would ____ _____ over that decision” 37. Gen Z slang for throw 40 Frozen slushy brand 41. Song of praise and triumph 46. Playful attempt at provoking

an electric guitar most prominently on the album, the use of the instrument is both tasteful and effective in making the listener feel utterly dejected.

The electric guitar wails over plucked strings of an acoustic, beautifully combining to create a truly empty feeling. For a moment, the electric guitar steps aside for a despondent stringed quartet to take the spotlight.

When the electric guitar returns, it features two strings being plucked to create a wailing harmony that is equal parts elegant and forlorn.

Six of the seven songs on “Jar of Flies” convey their disconsolate ideas to the listener through both instrumentals and vocals. “Whale & Wasp” is able to make the listener feel pensive and gloomy with just a few stringed instruments, and that is truly impressive.

“Jar of Flies” isn’t for everyone. If you hate music that evokes strong emotions, this album might not be for you. However, if you’ve had one shower beer too many and are ready to cry for the next three to five business days, put this album on and let those tears out.

Crossword

By Scott Hobbs

columnist.editor@thenorthernlight.org

***See answer key on page 14!*** Across 1. Brought into the world 5. Monks chambers 9. “Cook _____”, Alaskan body of water 14. Side of a ship sheltered from wind 15. Succulent plant 16.

Abbreviated madams 17. Plural of serum 18. Enthralled by something 19. Spanish female cousin 20. Lamborghini, Ferrari, etc.

23.

Most mentally sound 24. Carbonated sugar beverage 25. “Short” assistant 28. Resting in a chair 32. Second wife of the current U.S. President 36. Actor ____ Diggs 38. Valuable minerals 39. Storied, respected news organization 42.

Engine speed units 43. Group of Indigenous peoples in Canada 44. “Let’s ___ __ leave early” 45. Abbreviated city in Florida

47. Eyelid infection 49. Candy store chain 51. “90 degree” side of California city 56. Alaska nickname 61. Compass, flower, etc.

62. Currency in Iran and Oman 63. Sea between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan 64. Cosmetics company 65. City in Oklahoma 66 Actor Richard ____ 67. Liquid oozing out of the ground 68. Famous Brazilian football forward 69. Multiple nine-digit identification numbers

Down 1. The foundation of things 2. Florida state park 3. “They _____ and old episode last night” 4. Australian rules football player Lachie _____ 5. Mass unit of gemstones 6. French word meaning confidence, enthusiasm 7. Cut off tree limbs 8. “___ __ begin”, John Denver song 9. Block or delay 10. Freeman, Attenborough, etc.

11. Someone who is not clergy 12. Jane Austen novel 13. Russian monarch 21. Inventor of calculus

48. “__ ____ Tavern” 50. Throat infection 52. Group of male deer 53. Vehicle necessity 54. Function of classes 55. Coastal French city 56. Spanish “three” 57. Common rubber garden tool 58 Spanish “this” 59 Monetary penalty 60 Essential to train travel

OPINION

11

Croft’s Comments

The greatest comeback in UAA history

By Tanner Croft

columnist1@thenorthernlight.org

Croft’s Comments, for all students who may be unfamiliar, is your local place to vent, ask questions or simply voice your thoughts to the world anonymously.

Croft’s Comments fizzled out there at the end of last semester.

It did not make any noise, it just faded into the night. However, we are back with an explosive energy that we have never had before.

I am Tanner Croft, and I am here to give students advice and thoughts on anything you might ask me — no-holds-barred.

Ask me literally anything, and I will answer everything

that my editors will allow me to.

Although this time I request that no one submit threats of any kind. If Croft’s Comments were to receive a threat, even if it is not directed at me or The Northern Light, we would be forced to report it.

Croft’s Comments will not ask for your name or email upon submission, so your response will remain anonymous. This is your chance as a student to ask, submit, vent and shout from the rooftops — whatever your heart desires. You will get a response from me.

GRAPHIC BY EDLEEN GUIAO.

OPINION

12

Pedestrians have the right of way

Pedestrians and less invasive transit options once dominated city roads, but as times evolved, roads transformed to conform to the modern vehicle, kicking pedestrians to the curb

By Anja Burnett

layout@thenorthernlight.org

According to Alaska Public Media on April 1, a pedestrian and a dog were fatally hit by a vehicle. A month later, Alaska’s News Source reported that another pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run. According to Anchorage Daily News, the eighth pedestrian death of this year occurred in Midtown on June 2.

Besides the obvious fact that most of Anchorage’s sidewalks remain unplowed or difficult to trek through for the majority of the year due to snow, decades of road evolution have prioritized drivers over pedestrians.

I have become acutely aware of how dangerous and terrifying the walking situation can be in and around my neighborhood.

For those who are frequently walking around much more congested intersections and busy roads, I can only imagine how hazardous these conditions can be.

Countless times, I have noticed drivers blowing through right-hand turns, craning their heads to the left to gauge their turn amid oncoming traffic while blatantly dismissing the possibility of a pedestrian coming their way on the right.

The State of Alaska Driver Manual instructs drivers to stop behind crosswalks, stop signs or before entering intersections, and to proceed only after a complete and safe stop. However, many drivers disregard this rule, dismissing the potential rightof-way that pedestrians have — risking their lives.

The root cause of this issue lies in the evolution of the American road system as we know it today.

According to Historian Peter D. Norton in “Street Rivals: Jay-

walking and the Invention of the Motor Age Street,” city streets had to be completely reworked with asphalt, concrete and motor thoroughfares to meet the needs of the modern vehicle and its speed.

Norton describes that those who advocated for those changes were among social elites who did not need to ride mass transportation. Then, when all street cars were removed and roads were completely altered, people rode buses or were relegated to driving cars.

Norton wrote that in 1913, a municipal judge declared Chicago streets to belong to the city, not to automobilists.

Norton mentions that eight years later, pedestrians were required by the city to cross streets at right angles and crosswalks.

The journal “General Motors and the Demise of Streetcars” by author Cliff Slater states that by 1914, streetcars were the only mode of public transportation functioning at full capacity.

However, by 1937, buses became the new public transportation in 50% of cities.

Slater mentions that in the 1920s, the desire for automobiles increased due to their versatility and faster speed. By the 1940s and 1950s, this caused a decline in demand for public transit services.

An analysis on the decline of mass transit by Martha J. Bianco, former professor at Portland State University, describes how the eradication of mass transit options turned into the boom of the automotive vehicle industry.

“American street railways were dismantled. … Urban rail transit was replaced by motor buses, which were to be replaced by cars,” said Bianco.

Bianco wrote that in 1955, General Motors — and its subsidiary National City Lines —

were convicted of conspiring to eliminate streetcar competition and promote bus and automobile use. “[GM] realized that as long as people had adequate mass transportation they wouldn’t buy the product that GM was fundamentally interested in selling.”

The motor vehicles were impeding pedestrian livelihoods.

However, criminalization and restrictions to pedestrians came in benefit of automobile drivers and companies.

Vox explains that the term “jaywalking” emerged to describe pedestrians as someone who didn’t know how to navigate the shared roads. In retaliation, pedestrians retorted reckless drivers as “jay driving,” but obviously, only one of these terms stuck.

In 1923, Cincinnati residents voted to approve a ballot measure requiring speed limits in cars, which compelled the auto industry to restrict the pedestrians’ rights in the road. Efforts included safety campaigns from AAA — the American Automobile Association — that shamed pedestrians.

As motorists and pedestrians continued to face each other, hostility brewed. This is evident in a series of New York Times articles from 1929.

The first article, released in January, states that, “The motorist complains that the man on foot gets in his way. The man on foot retorts that the motorist terrorizes him.” It is mentioned that each user of the highway deserves equal rights. However, the pedestrian is unable to assert their rights in these evolving times.

The second article, which was released in April, highlights their struggle to share the road, stating, “Americans awheel cannot be counted on to respect a

COURTESY OF ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS

Anchorage pedestrian crosses Muldoon Road.

stop sign unless it is reinforced by a policeman, and afoot they pay no attention to either.” Also stated is that for years prior, the pedestrian themselves would be at fault for getting run over.

The final article, published in July, further elaborates on the competition for the road between pedestrians and motorists. “It’s hard on the pedestrian, for he has to keep turning and craning and stopping and starting. Assuming that he has the right of way, and that no driver wants the satisfaction · of running over him, he still has some justification for retaining his timidity.”

By 1939, the United States served one car for every five persons, and according to a survey by The New York Times, all other nations combined had one automobile to each 196 individuals.

While pedestrian safety has largely improved since the dawn of the automobile, vehicles still account for a large portion of pedestrian deaths.

As I write this, I look outside my window. A child is gleefully exclaiming as she jumps over manholes, eagerly demanding

her guardian’s attention. The child, consumed by her imagination and free spirit, has yet to notice the oncoming Toyota 4Runner.

It is her guardian’s duty to notify her of the 4,500 pound vehicle heading her way. I can’t help but imagine how different life might be if we as a society did not prioritize individualism and car culture within our American mentality.

Even the most busy and developed cities at the peak of the automobile era — New York and Los Angeles — struggled to find a middle ground between pedestrians and cars.

It makes sense that Anchorage, a later-developed city, evolved to fully comply with vehicles, and would have long stretches of road that bear no crosswalk for several blocks.

Volatile, busy streets make it difficult for a pedestrian to walk comfortably. It is worthwhile to reiterate the severity of reckless drivers’ endangerment, as it is their responsibility to preserve the pedestrian’s life.

Trendy food spots Local places to get food near campus

By Alex Luangasa

cartoons@thenorthernlight.org

Craving something in particular? Whether you’re new to Anchorage or have endured many winters, here are some great places to try.

These local spots are perfect for students living in the dorms, as they are relatively close to campus.

If you’re craving pizza, Uncle Joe’s Pizzeria off Tudor Road is the place to go. Located nearby is Thai Kitchen, which currently only takes orders for pickup.

Golden Gate Restaurant is in the same strip mall and perfect for your Chinese food fix.

If your taste buds desire Mexican food, Taco King is within walking distance.

Further away, heading west on Tudor Road, is Ichiban Japa-

nese Restaurant for those with an appetite for sushi and Japanese cuisine.

Head toward midtown, behind the Midtown Mall off Benson Boulevard, and you’ll find a number trendy places in this square.

Indigo Tea Lounge has your boba addiction covered along with comfy chairs to relax in.

For those with a hankering for ice cream, there is nowhere

better than Wild Scoops. Locally owned, they craft unique flavors and have options for those with dietary restrictions.

Newly opened this year is Sakana Poke & Soiree. This restaurant will satiate your poke bowl cravings and also serve cafe drinks.

The lobby is aesthetically pleasing while the upstairs is spacious enough for study groups, provides privacy, and

PHOTO BY LUCAS ALLMANN.

Cozy aesthetic cafe.

features a lengthy wooden table.

For those new to Anchorage, explore the town and experience food that isn’t from the commons. For those that have been here for a while, feel free to share your favorite spots with us in “Croft’s Comments”!

CONTACT

13

Crossword ANSWER KEY

By Scott Hobbs

columnist.editor@thenorthernlight.org

Continued from page 10

A S S O C I AT E D CO L L E G I AT E P R ES S

STAFF CONTACTS 3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508‌

Managing Editor // Advertising and Communications Manager Kaitlyn Gaub

Executive Editor Hannah Dillon (907) 786-1313

managing.editor@thenorthernlight.org admanager@thenorthernlight.org

editor@thenorthernlight.org‌

(907) 786-6195 Copy Editor Murat Demir

copy.editor@thenorthernlight.org

Columnist Tanner Croft

columnist1@thenorthernlight.org

Layout and Web Editor Anja Burnett

Columnist Nahla White

layout@thenorthernlight.org‌

columnist2@thenorthernlight.org

Columnist Editor Scott Hobbs

columnist.editor@thenorthernlight.org

Multimedia Editor Justin Cox

Columnist Cee Xiong

columnist3@thenorthernlight.org

multimedia.editor@thenorthernlight.org

Cartoonist Alex Luangasa

cartoons@thenorthernlight.org

Media Adviser Paola Banchero

Administrative Adviser Cheryl Devenny

Fiscal Technician Micah Perino

The Northern Light is a proud member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

The Northern Light is a monthly UAA publication funded by student fees and advertising sales. The editors and writers of The Northern Light are solely responsible for its contents. Circulation is 1,500. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabledveteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood. The views expressed in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of UAA or the Northern Light.­­­

N OT I C E O F N O N D I S C R I M I N AT I O N The University of Alaska is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution. The University of Alaska does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, parenthood, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, or other legally protected status. The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination, including against sex discrimination, applies to students, employees, and applicants for admission and employment.

Contact information, applicable laws, and complaint procedures are included on UA’s statement of nondiscrimination available at www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

L E T T E RS A N D CO R R E C T I O N S P O L I C Y The Northern Light encourages readers to express their views in the newspaper. The Northern Light reserves the right to reject or publish any submission, online or in print.

Letters to the editor can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length for a letter to the editor is 300 words, and 150 words for letters specifically endorsing candidates for federal, local, or university office. A letter to the editor is written by someone who does not have authoritative knowledge on the subject they are discussing. Contributors are restricted to one published letter to the editor per month.

Opinion pieces can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length for a contributor’s opinion piece is 500 words. Contributors are restricted to one published opinion piece per month. Opinion pieces written by staff of The Northern Light are limited to 1,000 words.

An opinion piece that is published in The Northern Light should be written by someone who has authoritative knowledge on the subject they are discussing.

Letters and opinion pieces are subject to editing for grammar, accuracy, length and clarity. All letters and opinion pieces must include names, major and/or group affiliation and contact information for verification purposes. The Northern Light will not publish anonymous letters or pseudonyms.

Requests for corrections can be sent to editor@thenorthernlight.org. Print publication is subject to accuracy and available space. All corrections are posted online with the original story at www. thenorthernlight.org. The deadline for submissions is the Friday before publication at noon, no exceptions.

The Northern Light newsroom is located on the first floor of the Student Union Room 113.

OPINION

14

Who’s killing professional Rocket League esports?

By Scott Hobbs

columnist.editor@thenorthernlight.org

The Rocket League Championship Series — RLCS — was first held almost nine years ago.

Back then, the world championship event was small. Only eight teams competed at the event, all residing in Europe and North America.

At its peak in the 2022-23 season, 24 teams attended the RLCS World Championship from around the world. The event was preceded by three splits of regional events that served as qualifiers for international majors and the world championship.

Regional events were held online being livestreamed to fans almost every weekend.

Majors and the world championship were held in person and livestreamed around the world.

Naturally, the RLCS World Championship with the most teams in attendance was also the most-watched event in the history of the esport — which is why it made no sense when Epic Games announced they were cutting an entire split from future seasons.

In the two years following the cut, viewership and prize pools have dropped significantly, entire rosters have been cut by organizations to save costs and the scene as a whole seems to be rapidly approaching its end.

So who started this collapse — and is seeing to it that the scene as a whole ceases to exist?

It seems the blame falls on both BLAST and Epic Games.

Both have a hand in the gutting of “Rocket League’s” esports scene, as well as the continued degradation in quality of the game as a whole.

Starting with BLAST, the tournament organizer company has already shown its shortcomings in another major esport — “Rainbow Six Siege.”

In late 2022, Ubisoft hastily made BLAST the new tournament organizers for its esport.

At the time, viewership numbers were on the rise and the scene had a similar three-major, yearlong schedule to “Rocket League.”

Immediately upon entering the scene, BLAST gutted the third major, increased the number of guaranteed spots at majors for regions many fans view as being less competitive and prolonged the offseason between majors to be several months with no announced minor events during the downtime.

If this is sounding familiar, it’s because BLAST did the same thing to “Rocket League.”

The year before BLAST took over was the most successful in “Rocket League’s” history.

Despite this, it gutted the third RLCS Major, guaranteed spots for teams from developing regions at the world championship

by cutting the wildcard, and created two multimonth droughts between the second major and the world championship, as well as the offseason.

The prevailing idea pushed

by BLAST and other talking heads was that the community would fill these gaps in with events like the Esports World Cup — EWC. Standalone events don’t really have rivalries and storylines.

Those have to be built up over the course of regionals leading up to a major.

The resulting event suffers, with a group of professional teams coming together for a weekend to go through the motions at a tournament that has no bearing on their qualification for future events. Fans respond in kind, and the EWC in 2024 did not reach the 100,000 concurrent live viewer mark.

This was partially a result of the timing of the event, with the EWC being poorly advertised and taking place right before the world championships. It doesn’t change the fact that international events suffer when there aren’t regionals taking place beforehand.

BLAST’s poor track record prior to taking over “Rocket League” tournaments — and current track record with worse performing “Rocket League” events — speaks for itself.

It warrants asking why Epic Games brought them on in the

first place.

For that answer, you have to look at how Epic Games have treated every other game they’ve bought.

At this point, most people who don’t live under a rock know what “Fortnite” is. Being Epic Games’ most popular release, and one of the most played video games of all time, many other games developed by other companies have tried to copy every facet of the game — from 100-person battle royale-style game mode to the battle pass structure.

Epic has worked to make the games it has bought less like the games they used to be and more like “Fortnite.”

Since Epic Games purchased “Rocket League,” item trading and loot boxes have been removed from the game. Shop item prices have skyrocketed to exorbitant amounts and focus was redirected toward developing the “Rocket Racing Fortnite” game mode rather than maintaining the game itself.

This is all while servers for the game continue to be OK at best. Smurfs — skilled players who play against players below their skill level — and cheaters run rampant through ranked matches. Through all these issues, it appears no progress has been made to fix anything. Also, “Rocket League’s” developers have announced no progress in more than three years on mov-

ing the game to Unreal Engine 5.

These negatives underscore how badly Epic has butchered the esports scene by inserting BLAST as the new tournament organizer.

BLAST has organized many successful tournaments for “Fortnite,” that can’t be denied.

Since taking over as tournament organizers for “Fortnite,” BLAST have helped bring “Fortnite’s” tournament event viewership back to a similar point to their early competitions at the game’s first popularity peak.

“Rocket League” isn’t “Fortnite” though, and butchering an esport for the sake of making it similar to “Fortnite” will only lead to a sluggish, agonizing death for the scene. As the RLCS continues to bleed out, so will the loyal fans who not only religiously watch events, but have continued to play the game through its ups and downs.

If you deliberately spit on the most loyal part of your fanbase, your product will die out. As Epic Games and BLAST continue to show blatant disrespect to fans of the RLCS, more will choose to stop tuning in. Without a devoted fanbase, fans who are already less invested will lose interest in the scene more quickly, bringing about the death of the scene and the game as a whole soon after.

Can professional ‘Rocket League’ esports be saved?

By Scott Hobbs

columnist.editor@thenorthernlight.org

The Rocket League Championship Series — RLCS — is rapidly coming apart. Fewer fans are filling venues, viewership on livestreams is dropping, and overall, more fans of the scene are losing interest with each event.

Reasons for this decline are well documented. What has not been closely examined are ways that this tailspin could be corrected.

One solution would be for Epic Games to merge their esports scenes.

Currently, “Rocket League” and “Fortnite” are down from their peaks in terms of viewership data. They have also seen a drop in active players.

Back when Epic Games bought Psyonix — the developers of “Rocket League” — its intention was to boost the player count of the game.

Epic attempted to do so by making “Rocket League” more like “Fortnite” in hopes of drawing fans of “Fortnite” over to “Rocket League.”

While there was a brief spike in players, the idea never really panned out in the long term.

One-time changes like making the game free-to-play aren’t sustainable in continuing to increase player count of a game.

A merger of the competitive scenes of both games could not only save both esports, but it could also boost casual engagement with both games.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NERD STREET GAMERS.

If majors and world championships of both events were brought under one umbrella, both esports would see immediate improvements.

Cost of venues would drop, since Epic would no longer be running two separate in-person tournament scenes. Attendance and viewership would both increase, as fans of “Fortnite” and “Rocket League” would tune in to watch their preferred esport and likely be hooked by watching a match of the other.

By engaging both fanbases, the likelihood that fans of one game end up picking up the other skyrockets, leading to a sustainable and renewed casual interest in both “Fortnite” and “Rocket League.”

This approach saves Epic money and brings more interest, sponsors and prize money to both “Fortnite” and “Rocket League” in the long run.

The other solution involves Epic Games spending money.

Since they have currently shown no interest in spending more money on the RLCS than they absolutely have to, it’s unlikely

that Epic would go for this approach.

Despite that, this solution would be beloved by fans of the RLCS and would likely lead to a permanent resurgence in viewership for the esport. That’s because this solution is a return to the RLCS of old — something fans have been clamoring for since BLAST was selected to manage RLCS tournaments.

For starters, the Esports World Cup — EWC — needs to be embraced by the RLCS. The EWC isn’t funded by Epic Games. It’s a Saudi tournament with a prize pool put together by sponsors and other outside interests.

The EWC currently sits in an awkward spot, being known about by diehard fans of the RLCS but not being really advertised by Epic Games or BLAST. Epic needs to integrate the event into the RLCS as a replacement for the third major that no longer exists. They need to invest in holding regional qualifiers to get people excited for the event. Then, they need to

have the results of the EWC actually matter by awarding teams points that determine them qualifying for the world championship — the same points given out at the regional and major events throughout the year.

Since the EWC happens so close to the world championship, Epic should bump the world championship back a month or so to give players time to rest between events. This new schedule would also shorten the time between the world championship and the start of the next RLCS season.

By embracing the EWC as a part of the scene, Epic Games and BLAST would be solving many fan complaints with the current season structure of the RLCS. They also wouldn’t have to spend more money on a third major, since the EWC is already funded by other sponsors. All they would need to do is set up qualifying regionals for the event, which don’t cost much because they take place fully online.

BLAST and Epic also need to bring back the old wild card round of the world championships. The current last-chance qualifier is a half-baked attempt at spicing up the world championship by putting fourth-seeded teams from some regions at risk of being eliminated before they even reach the world championship.

Instead of pointlessly jeopardizing some team’s chance at qualifying, the old wild card that had 16 teams fight for eight spots in the swiss bracket stage of the

tournament should be brought back.

The old wild card made upsets more likely, forms storylines for possible rematches later in the world championship and doesn’t rob any team of the opportunity to play at the world championship — because playing in the wild card still means playing at the world championship.

Since that idea takes effort and money — two things BLAST and Epic Games aren’t known for handing out — it’s unlikely this solution would ever be implemented. Reverting to the old format can also be seen as an admission that the new format was a failure and that both organizations messed up by changing the format, making this solution even more unlikely.

It’s no secret that the RLCS is in need of a change, and that if nothing changes the scene will rapidly fade away. As the scene continues to bleed out, all fans can do is tune in to events and hope it won’t be the last time they watch their favorite team play.

Despite the state of the scene, fans of the RLCS — and fans of any game — need to remember that they have the power to effect change by speaking out.

Developers can only ignore loud fanbases for so long. If enough fans of any game unite to demand better from companies, they can only deny their player base what they want for so long before they cave.

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