This is the end of one of the strongest stories in eSports on Overwatch: Vancouver Titans has separated from all its players in the middle of the season, ending the competition of former South Koreans from RunAway.
see also: The MVP and champion of the Overwatch League Sinatraa leaves on VALORANT
Thunderbolt on the stage Overwatch. An announcement by Vancouver Titans confirmed the rumors which appeared more than a week ago, about the separation of the team and all its players.
In an article entitled "A letter from our fans", the organization announced that it would separate seven players and two coaches. This decision comes a week after announcing the departure of JJANU and coach Pajion.
The team started the season with two convincing victories, but the impact of COVID-19 was felt worldwide and all businesses were affected, including us. With the cancellations of homestands and limited travel, players were forced to train from the gaming house. When it became clear that this situation would last, and for safety, the players returned to South Korea to join their families.
Vancouver Titans had dominated his first season in 2019, going to the playoffs without difficulty. But the team then lost the grand final against San Francisco Shock, with their talented player Sinatraa (who has now set out to prove himself on the VALORANT stage).
When it was created, Vancouver signed the full team from South Korea, which had just won its regional title, the RunAways. A team that was much talked about, since it had climbed the ladders without the help of a professional organization. The leader of the team, Runner, ensured both the roles of player and shotcaller, but also of brand manager RunAway
The reasons given for this change in the middle of the season are the direct consequences of the pandemic linked to the new coronavius. Many esports leagues, and the Overwatch League in particular, has a lot of Asian players, but not always with the expected success. In fact, organizations have to face the adaptation of players to life in the United States, the majority of them being very young and not speaking English.
This has led to some disappointment. Teams have failed to prove themselves despite talented players. The last three teams of the ranking of the 2019 season, composed in majority or half of South Korean players for an American organization (Washington Justice, Boston Uprising and Florida Mayhem) are examples. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic has also had an impact on the training of teams, all in gaming house, which could worsen the problems already present.
Vancouver Titans claims to have tried to adapt to operate from South Korea and allow players to train from home, but it proved impossible. The contracts were therefore broken and the players would not be released for the duration initially planned, according to the player Fissure.
In exchange, the players would be replaced by a team in Contenders, but this has not yet been confirmed. The team is scheduled to play its next game this Saturday, May 9.