Evil Geniuses Leave Counter-Strike's ESL

Evil Geniuses are Leaving the ESL and Counter-Strike 2

Evil Geniuses, a longstanding pillar in the esports community since their debut in 1999, has been changing in more ways than one and across several different competitive game scenes, including the criticaly aclaimed Counter-Strike 2. Lately, there has been a lot of concern among their dedicated fanbase.

The organization, known for its multifaceted involvement across various esports titles and for boosting a few big games (like League of Legends and Counter-Strike) to their current status with their EG competitive teams, is orchestrating another strategic withdrawal, and after they left the League competitive scenario, they’re now abandoning the ESL as well. This exit, along with their earlier abandonment of the BLAST Premier circuit, could potentially mean they’re leaving Counter-Strike as a whole, even as Counter-Strike 2 gains momentum.

Over the last couple of years, Evil Geniuses has gone through substantial internal changes, marked by widespread layoffs and allegations of inhumane working conditions. These unsettling news have not only stained the organization's image but have also left their fans enraged. For an organization that has etched its name in the history of esports since the turn of the century, seeing them close door after door has raised a lot of questions about the future of Evil Geniuses as an organization.

Evil Geniuses laid off all of its teams in the esports landscape, leaving almost every title behind except for Valorant. Their recent triumph in securing an international VCT title in Valorant has undoubtedly boosted their standing in this domain. However, the organization seems increasingly disinterested in sustaining operations across other esports arenas. The decision to leave the BLAST Premier was a big moment, but abandoning the ESL, a major tournament organizer, is the nail in the coffin for EG on Counter-Strike. This decision comes at a crucial moment with the growth of Counter-Strike 2, signaling a potential divergence in strategic focus.

Evil Geniuses' relationship with Counter-Strike dates back to 2001, representing a legacy that spans over two decades. In the first few days of CS 1.6, esports was characterized by players competing for the sheer passion of the game rather than the multimillion-dollar purses seen in today's competitive landscape.

Despite their historical significance, Evil Geniuses, like many North American teams, failed to hold back the big European powerhouses. After navigating through a series of modest domestic finishes, EG consistently fails to deliver in the international stages.

Not only will this leave a gap in the competitive Counter-Strike scene, but it will also raise a question. Is the NA region slowly losing its presence in global Esports?

For now, it’s hard to know what EG has in mind or if they’ll follow other organizations that bought slots in the Eastern leagues. Whether they can come back to winning esports titles they've left behind or if this marks the Evil Geniuses’ end, only time will tell. The esports world, however, will keep growing, with or without them.

Stay tuned for more CS:GO and Counter-Strike 2 news!

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