Rip to the first World Champ https://x.com/AcendClub/status/1835685812031365594?t=hdoyiObg9lsuVb3WRmQvew&s=19
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Acend leaves Valorant
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I agree but I will forever say this... franchising came too soon and started too small. if they waited another year and/or started franchising with 15 teams instead of 10 per league... we'd probably see much fewer orgs leave the scene. Acend would probably still be around.
Unfortunate, but what's done is done
There is no other option really -- that's why I'm saying what's done is done. Right now the T2 system isn't stable enough for a lot of orgs to manage financially but hopefully in the coming years it'll stabilize. That Acend announcement does leave the door open for them to return 2026 assuming things get better
that's why I personally am a fan of an open circuit with plenty of events. The new valve system for 2025 is just ''git gud''. you are a solid top 8 team in the world? you have the right to choose the events you attend. you are a top 9 or top 20 team in the world? you will get the invites tier 1 teams deny. you are top 30 or lower? git gud and grind them qualifiers
Imma post my thing from https://www.vlr.gg/404737/acend-exits-val here too
Yea somethings brewing in East atm
Orgs are leaving (rather than joining), the TO is struggling, TO is losing talent and even split 3 is uncertain.
If someone whos actually familiar with East can share whats happening I'd much appreciate it since its hard to properly understand whats going on via bad google translate walls of text.
Anyways sucks to lose Acend, they were a staple of valorant. GL to em in other games.
And may east somehow survive whatever is going on with them this year
not much we can do unfortunately, just if the esports scene becomes bigger. the traditional idea is that esports can replicate the success of the traditional sports scene, and be monetised in the same way.
personally, i'm not super convinced - i think monetising esports has some unique challenges, (mainly in terms of sport psychology), but maybe someone smarter than I can solve that problem (and probably make a shit load of money doing so)
I mean the easiest pathway to monetize cs is whatever valve are doing but with extra steps.
when they release the operation it can just crowdfund the major prize pool (like what TI was).
stickers and other customizations go to orgs who attend the major (everyone gets the same cut of the pie)
Therefore orgs which are at the major get like millions, yet you only get to the major by being good all year long so you need to grind the game more, attend more events and win more prize money
yeah, the problem is that this results in an overcentralisation of major teams within the esports scene. especially since riot is trying to push a "anyone can make it" type mindset through premier, there needs to be a way to disseminate the monetisation policies to tier 2 and below. unfortunately, i don't think the current monetisation sources (us, the viewers) is large enough to sustain a successful t2 scene, providing a reasonable risk-reward balance, while also keeping major organisations interested and profitable.
traditional sports have the benefit of standout players being idolised, and therefore are very easy to monetise - kids want to be the next messi, the next michael jordan, and their parents will buy them a jersey for their birthday. i believe esports lacks that psychological "inspiration" factor.
Just one of the first of many to come.
Riot's T2 scene is absolutely unsustainable, and as a breeding ground and proving ground for VCT, this bodes extremely bad news for the future of competition in Valorant.
Prepare to see an outflux of players towards CS2 and other games, where the T2-T3 and beyond scene is much less choked out by the developer.
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