Evil Geniuses (EG), the former Dota 2 TI5 winners, have confirmed that they will no longer participate in eSports other than Valorant, thus bringing an end to their Counter-Strike career.
In 2024, Evil Geniuses will exit the Counter-Strike scene.
From multiple trophy lifts to incredible players championing our name, we are extremely grateful for the legacy we built in Counter-Strike over the last two decades.
This past year, we had an amazing group of players,…
— Evil Geniuses CS (@EGCSGO) January 12, 2024
This decision brought to an end the journey of four seasons that they embarked on after accepting NRG in September 2019. As Evil Geniuses is opening a new page, the community recalls its victories and some troubles that the organization had in the eSports universe throughout its life.
Also read: Controversial Evil Geniuses CEO Steps Down After Historic Win
The highs and lows of being geniuses
Under the Evil Geniuses shield, the NRG roster has several victories, such as taking 1st place in the world for a short time and winning first prize at ESL New York 2019. However, this win proved to be a short-lived one. The online universe of contests caused a sharp decline in the team’s results. Due to the constant roster changes and internal rivalry, EG turned from a fierce enemy into an insignificant opponent.
The organization faced numerous challenges, including allegations of corruption and poor working conditions, among others. These issues resulted in the scandalous resignation of CEO Nicole LaPointe Jameson. In a LinkedIn post, she stated that it was proper to say goodbye to Evil Geniuses in November, more so after the team had won the Valorant World Championship trophy during the same week.
“It seems fitting that after lifting the Valorant World Championship trophy this week, I announce that my last day at Evil Geniuses is coming up next month.”
Moreover, the organization’s credibility was tarnished in several instances, including a gaffe by an employee claiming that there was excrement, and ESL skit complaints were lodged. These scandals damaged EG’s standing and gave rise to questions about the organization’s ability.
Controversies and mismanagement: A tarnished image
The path of EG was also influenced by allegations about misappropriation and inferior working conditions. The resignation of Nicole LaPointe Jameson as the CEO of the organization after such allegations was a serious blow to its public image. Besides, more reports of Valorant in contract jail disputes and other internal issues added fuel to the fire.
In recent days, the departure of EG from the League Championship Series in League of Legends, among other eSports groups, has indicated a shift in focus. Further, the entity selling its BLAST Premier partnership spot to Cloud9 and canceling this Louvre Agreement with ESL gave more evidence of a future exit from Counter-Strike.
An end to an era
The exit from Counter-Strike means the closing of an integral page in EG history. Having reached the peak of Counter-Strike, brandishing prestigious trophies, and controlling league rankings just a few months ago, EG’s journey has been treacherous. Most significantly, their story in esports shows an interesting saga of wins and losses that leave their mark on the community.
With the departure of EG from Counter-Strike, the inquiry penetrates what would be except for such a body on an esports platform. Will EG’s major focus on Valorant push them to the highest of heights, or does this simply mark a steady beginning to an even steeper fall? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Evil Geniuses’ legacy will never be forgotten in the history of Counter-Strike.
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