Evil Geniuses, a stalwart in the esports arena, is reportedly making significant changes to its competitive lineup, including the release of its Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams and the potential sale of its LCS franchise slot.
The esports community is abuzz with reports that Evil Geniuses is set to streamline its operations. This strategic pivot comes after a series of layoffs that saw the organization operate with minimal staff. The changes also follow the disbandment of its DOTA 2 team post their participation in The International 2023.
Evil Geniuses’ recent history has been marred by controversies, notably the alleged mistreatment of a star League of Legends player and issues within the Valorant and Rocket League communities. These incidents have cast a shadow over the organization’s reputation and may have influenced the latest operational decisions.
According to reports, Evil Geniuses is planning to discontinue its men’s CS2 team after December and may release its women’s teams even sooner. The organization currently supports three CS2 rosters: the main men’s team, the academy team EG Black, and the women’s team EG Gold. Additionally, EG’s women’s Valorant team is scheduled to compete in the Game Changers Championship in November.
Evil Geniuses’ venture into Counter-Strike saw a peak with the acquisition of the NRG Esports roster in 2019 and a notable victory at ESL One New York 2019. However, the organization downsized from its four-team Counter-Strike experiment in April, indicating a shift in focus and resources.
The organization is also deep into negotiations to sell its LCS slot, with Enthusiast Gaming, the owner of Luminosity Gaming and operator of the Vancouver Titans in the Overwatch League, emerging as a potential buyer.
As Evil Geniuses reevaluates its position in the competitive landscape, the esports community is keenly observing these developments. The outcomes of these strategic changes will likely have a lasting impact on the organization’s future endeavors and its standing within the esports industry.
