Riot Video games has backtracked on its resolution to disqualify former gamers of The Guard from their VALORANT Champions Tour slot, permitting the group to discover a new dwelling to symbolize for 2024. Whereas the drama is much from over, the logical decision means a optimistic step for the group and the scene as an entire.
Riot has dominated the gamers and coach, previously of The Guard, are allowed to stay collectively and discover a new group to play beneath for 2024 once they be part of the Americas league in a Sept. 1 release from the official VALORANT Esports Twitter account. They’ve but to hitch a brand new org collectively, however the group is actively on the hunt.
The Guard have been the victors of the Ascension Americas match, however their group failed to come back to phrases with Riot to finish the transition course of to the VCT. This led to an Aug. 29 assertion the place Riot introduced that no groups could be promoted from 2023, making The Guard’s efforts to win Ascension—and the complete Challenger tier two 12 months—all for naught.
Followers internationally have been riled up as they felt just like the gamers on the roster have been being punished for the group’s issues, particularly since they weren’t even allowed to routinely be part of the franchised league regardless of incomes that spot. The complete roster introduced their transfer into free company shortly after, all however giving up on a dream snatched away from them.
Then, Riot backtracked their resolution, first asserting on Aug. 30 that they have been reconsidering their position on the situation and looking for a greater answer for the gamers’ future. Now, the league has confirmed the ex-The Guard squad has the chance to remain collectively, however beneath a brand new group. This potential new org should each undergo gamers’ and Riot’s approval earlier than being formally ticked off for VCT 2024.
The gamers have been ecstatic following the announcement and comfortable they may stick collectively like they did again in 2022 and 2023. After merely tweeting the “Prayge” emote earlier than the announcement went stay, team captain Jacob “valyn” Batio tweeted out his thanks to Riot “for re-considering their resolution,” but in addition shouted out the group for “voicing your opinions and aiding our state of affairs.” Trent “trent” Cairns was additionally appreciative of the community’s voice and assistance within the course of, saying “You guys actually did it.”
The group was happy {that a} optimistic decision may very well be reached, with the likes of Evil Geniuses, M80, and Disguised merely responding “W” to the announcement and the gamers’ reactions.
Now, the squad who earned Ascension can get what they rightfully deserved: a spot in franchising for 2024 onwards, so long as they discover that new org. It’ll be a distinct emblem on the jersey, however that very same roster that shocked folks in early 2022 is lastly on their strategy to regional dominance alongside the most effective in North America.
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