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GUIDES
Simple Radar
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Not really. But closer than we thought.
TYLOO entertain but ultimately fall short, Spirit coast to another 3-0 and ESIC are at it again. And by it, we mean doing their job, which is more than we can say we do.
If a terrible invite system and a ruined tier two scene wasn’t enough, the VRS system has now come for the domestic LAN scene.
Sort of.
Fragadelphia, NA’s premium domestic LAN has seen some interesting sign-ups this week, including NIP.
On the one hand, this is quite exciting. It might not be a tier-one LAN, but having NIP at a LAN is a positive step for their roster, and it’s not like the Frag field is weak. NRG and BLUEJAYS will both be there, and both have been in impressive form domestically in recent weeks.
It’s also not like this is the first time an EU team has taken part in a Fragadelphia event. Apeks and BIG Academy both competed in Fragadelphia 17. BIG even made it to the final, losing to an EG White team that consisted of NA legends such as ben1337, Jonji and PwnAlone.
We should’ve known then that German CS wasn’t going to have any luck any time soon.
While this might seem good for now, we are concerned that it will start a bit of a worrying trend. Back then, Apeks and BIG Academy were playing for experience and a bit of fun, but the VRS system makes it so NIP will be there for much needed VRS points and the potential for wildcard invites.
For domestic LANs like Fragadelphia and EPIC.LAN if you’re of the UK persuasion, having big teams there will be cool as a one off or the first time it happens, but it will quickly descend into something that changes the culture of the events.
Both of these events can now do a lot for a team lower down in Valve’s rankings, and when that involves organisations like NIP who will be taking these rankings very seriously, some of the fun of these events will be diminished by their involvement.
ESL has already announced that two qualifiers for ESL Pro League will take place at BYOC LANs, but is that really the point of these LANs?
Do these LANs exist as a celebration of community and shared love for a game? Do they exist for a piece of competition unique to a domestic scene? Or are they now just going to be stomping grounds for teams looking for easier ways into tier one events?
We don’t have access to a crystal ball, but we’re confident that this sets a worrying precedent for future events.
Just another victim of VRS, we guess.
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has once again descended from up high to deliver its righteous judgment.
This time, they’ve cracked down on betting violations and match-fixing – issues that have long plagued the jungle that is tier 3/4 Counter-Strike. Their targets? Ukrainian player Ganginho and the Mongolian team ATOX.
According to a press release, ESIC obtained evidence that the former Sangal and TNL player had placed 390 bets through accounts directly linked to him in multiple ways. These included “significant bets” on matches involving TNL, resulting in winnings of “approximately $20,000”.
For this, ESIC handed Ganginho a three-year ban, barring him from participating in any ESIC-partnered events in any role. The only problem? He announced his retirement back in October, meaning the ban will most likely have zero actual consequences for him. It seems likely he saw this coming, took the stolen bag, and retired before the fallout. Another ESIC efficiency masterclass.
Over in Mongolia, ATOX has also felt the sting of ESIC's wrath, being disqualified from both BLAST Lisbon and PGL Bucharest’s Closed Qualifier due to being “subject to a provisional suspension from all ESIC member events”, as announced by BLAST. While ESIC has yet to officially comment on the situation, rumors are circulating that ATOX is suspected of match-fixing in a match during EPL Season 20.
Now, this sets a dangerous precedent. If a team is being disqualified from key tournaments, which could severely impact their chances of qualifying for the Major, ESIC must have a strong case against them. If it turns out that ATOX is innocent, the damage will already be done. ‘Guilty until proven innocent’ - isn’t that how it goes?
On one hand, it’s refreshing to see ESIC take a firm stand against the plague of betting-related violations and match-fixing. However, it would be nice to see a bit more efficiency and transparency from them in the process.
We’re not sure we’ve ever been sadder at an 0-3 than TYLOO at ESL Pro League.
Losing your opening game to Spirit and then finding yourself playing against NAVI at 0-1 is ROUGH - especially when your 0-2 game is GamerLegion, who are no mugs either.
That’s the nature of the beast, though. When it’s a stacked Swiss system and you get dealt a rubbish seed, you’re going against the best team in each stage of the tournament. It’s a shame, because TYLOO remained very entertaining. I mean just look at this s**t.
You’re going to need something to clean your eyes after that, so watch this from Senzu. Just your typical, normal, triple noscope clip.
The MongolZ went 2-0 after beating G2, but as most teams do, lost to Spirit, who went 3-0 alongside Team Vitality. I know, we were shocked too.
G2 won their other two after the loss to The MongolZ, beating both paiN and SAW. Nothing too shocking. NAVI joined them at 2-1, alongside MOUZ and 3DMAX. Interestingly, MOUZ, 3DMAX and The MongolZ combined for a -1 round difference despite all being 2-1.
G2 and NAVI are +44 combined, for reference.
Liquid are the last 2-1 team, beating FURIA and Eternal Fire. We’re no closer to figuring out if they’re good, bad, or somewhere in the middle.
You might be wondering who NAVI lost to, given they played TYLOO in the second game. Their seed was good - it’s not like they played Spirit - they just straight up lost to SAW. It wasn’t even a great game. SAW won 13-4 on the decider.
SAW then lost to Spirit and G2, because seeding really doesn’t reward teams winning against good teams. They’re joined by GamerLegion, Falcons (who beat Liquid, but lost to MOUZ and 3DMAX), Eternal Fire and FURIA.
Oh, and MIBR went 0-3. That’s all they’re getting.
We’re getting to the point in the Swiss system where every game is a yummy delight. We recommend tuning in tomorrow and never tuning out again. Until like, Tuesday night.
None better than G2 vs NAVI. An absolute thigh-rubber. A tonsil-tickler. A nipple-fiddler. Sorry. That’s a bit much for a Friday morning, but it is almost the weekend.
