The Four Horsemen

Last Free Nation

The Four Horsemen is the premier esports industry show that reacts to important news and critical conversations across all major titles. Esports veterans Duncan "Thorin" Shields, Richard Lewis, and Christopher "MonteCristo" Mykles use their decades of experience to shed light and debate on key esports topics as they emerge. Each episode they are joined by an expert guest to help further provide insider information on the topic at hand.

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21 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 2 hr 42 min
English

Episodes 21

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#31
August 16 · 2 hr 48 min
Thorin Almost Appeared on Worlds!? (Crazy Esports Stories)
Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo unpack Dota 2's biggest scandal in years as LGD's TaiLung gets banned from TI 2026 over match-fixing, and then share stories from their long careers in esports! LFN Premium: Q&A access, community input on the show, and bonus content from across the LFN network. Sign up at https://www.lastfreenation.com. PrizePicks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! Raycon: The Everyday E
#30
July 29 · 2 hr 37 min
Did The Saudis Fail At Sportswashing?
Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo dismantle the Esports World Cup's Saudi sportswashing playbook and Riot's quiet complicity in it. LFN Premium: Q&A access, community input on the show, and bonus content from across the LFN network. Sign up at https://www.lastfreenation.com. Huel: Limited Time Offer – Make healthy eating simple. Get Huel today with our exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with our code LFN at https://huel.com/LFN. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and sup
#29
July 13 · 2 hr 59 min
The BIGGEST PROBLEMS with VRS (ft messioso)
There are big problems with Valve's VRS system in Counter-Strike esports, so messioso joins Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo to discuss on a new episode of The Four Horsemen! ZenAI: ZenAI is currently in invite-only beta. Go to bit.ly/zenAI_bpp_horsemen to join the waitlist today for a chance at early access! ExpressVPN: Secure your online data TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/horsemen to find out how you can get up to four extra months. Huel: Get Huel today with 15% OFF online
#28
June 27 · 3 hr 13 min
Was This The Greatest Counter-Strike Tournament EVER? (ft Mauisnake)
Richard Lewis calls the completion of the Cologne Major one of the darkest days in Counter-Strike history. Thorin and Mauisnake are not sure they agree. LFN Shop: Limited edition Cologne 2026 Major Tee available until the end of June while stocks last. Grab yours at https://www.lastfreenation.shop ZenAI: ZenAI is currently in invite-only beta. Go to https://zen.ai/ to join the waitlist today for a chance at early access! ExpressVPN: Secure your online data TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN
#27
June 17 · 2 hr 54 min
What Is The Future Of Esports?
Richard Lewis, MonteCristo, and Thorin discuss with former Fnatic GM and FACEIT exec Roald Van Buuren about the future of esports. ExpressVPN: Secure your online data TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/horsemen. Factor: Go to https://factormeals.com/horsemen50off and use code horsemen50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details). Raycon: Upgrade your dad’s everyday routine. Go t
#26
May 26 · 2 hr 23 min
Did The Saudis Give Up On Esports?
The Esports World Cup 2026 will not be in Riyadh, and the industry that couldn't stop tweeting five years ago has gone completely silent. Thorin, Richard Lewis, and MonteCristo reunite to break down what the EWC's last-minute move to Paris actually reveals about the Saudi Arabian sportswashing project. The official line is that this was always part of the plan. The reality, per Richard's reporting, is that boots-on-the-ground staff were being told it was 100% Riyadh the day before the announcem
#25
May 5 · 2 hr 8 min
The Truth About Co-Streaming...
MonteCristo and Thorin lay out why co-streaming isn't new, and why esports never really left it. Richard Lewis does not appear in this episode, but will return next time. PrizePicks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! ExpressVPN: Stop paying full-price for streaming services and only getting access to a fraction of their content! Get your money’s worth at https://EXPRESSVPN.com/horsemen Raycon: Th
#24
March 30 · 2 hr 24 min
Revealing What REALLY Happened To The Overwatch League (ft. DoA)
Richard Lewis, Thorin, MonteCristo, and DoA go deep on how the Overwatch League went from a billion-dollar promise to an industry cautionary tale — with Jeff Kaplan's Lex Fridman interview as the jumping-off point. Notion — Automate your weekly workflows with Notion's custom AI agents; try it free at https://notion.com/fourhorsemen 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
#23
March 21 · 2 hr
New York Just Sued Valve Over CS Cases (ft. Harris Peskin)
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 HORSE
#15
February 28 · 2 hr 30 min
What Actually Happened To 2XKO? ft. Rooflemonger)
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 gam
#22
February 12 · 3 hr 10 min
Should They Remove Franchising From League of Legends? (ft. Harris Peskin)
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 art
#21
February 1 · 2 hr 55 min
Will All Esports Fail? (ft. Arnold Hur)
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
#20
January 17 · 3 hr 3 min
The State of League of Legends... Can It Be Fixed? (ft. PapaSmithy)
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 s
#19
Dec 19, 2025 · 2 hr 35 min
The State Of Counter-Strike in 2025 (ft messioso)
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 F
#18
Nov 28, 2025 · 3 hr 3 min
The Twitch Viewbot Problem Is WORSE Than You Think... (ft Devin Nash)
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://la
#17
Nov 9, 2025 · 2 hr 26 min
How Valve ERASED Billions of Dollars Overnight & Pro Players Scamming Skins
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
#16
Oct 12, 2025 · 2 hr 44 min
How Riot's Mismanagement Killed The LCS & LEC (ft RichsWrath)
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 usi
#15
Sep 18, 2025 · 2 hr 52 min
The History Of Scandals In Smash (ft Technicals)
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
#14
Sep 5, 2025 · 2 hr 18 min
SonicFox vs Saudi Arabia: Why This Misses The Point...
In this episode of The Four Horsemen, the crew dives into some of the most controversial esports stories. The show kicks off with an in-depth investigation into the Saudi-backed Esports World Cup “Superfan” program, revealing allegations of staged crowds, favoritism toward Falcons Esports, and censorship of fan signs and chants. From there, the discussion shifts to the Fighting Game Community (FGC) and the bombshell news that Evo – the FGC’s flagship event – is now owned by a Saudi Arabian meg
#13
Aug 24, 2025 · 2 hr 25 min
This Esports Tournament Owes $1 Million And Won't Pay (ft Luís Mira)
Join Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo on this explosive episode of The Four Horsemen as they deep dive into the YaLLa Compass scandal with acclaimed CS2 journalist Luis Mira. Discover the inside story of how the YaLLa Compass tournament left over a million dollars in unpaid bills, defrauded countless teams and employees, and left a gaping hole in the Counter-Strike tournament calendar. Mira's meticulous reporting uncovers the organization's shocking mismanagement and the ramifications for

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes