Invictus Gaming is the latest org to leave Apex esports, citing a lack of sustainability

The 2023 ALGS Split One Playoffs saw North America dominate, with TSM and NRG taking first and second place respectively. EMEA found itself as the second best region despite missing key players and teams due to travel restrictions and visa issues. But despite many teams’ interest in bouncing back in the second half of the competitive year, a cornerstone of EMEA has decided to leave because of a well-known issue plaguing the scene.

Invictus Gaming is leaving the pro Apex Legends After three years, the org announced today that it is releasing its roster by Cameron”Sounds“Walker, Jake”Jmw“Walters, Martin”GracefulWongphrom, replacing Brrynn “brynn” Corbet.

IG joined first apex on August 29, 2021 by signing the squad from Endeavour, who previously finished sixth in the 2021 EMEA Split One Championship. Internationally, IG has enjoyed mixed success, finishing 31st in the 2022 Split Two Playoffs and 19th in the following championship. After qualifying for the 2023 Split One Playoffs with a sixth-place domestic finish in the Pro League, IG was eliminated from their last tournament in 30th placewas eliminated in the second round of the losers bracket.

The departure of IG sets a worrying trend for EMEA and the rest of the competitive scene. Several North American organizations have split in the past, including Team Liquid, G2 Esports, Cloud9 and Spacestation Gaming. Currently, 10 of the 30 EMEA teams scheduled to compete in Split Two are unsigned rosters Only one new organization has entered EMEA since Split One.

Previous Championship events included Team Shop skins, where a portion of each bundle’s sales went to the participating organizations. IG’s statement aligns with previous teams who have spoken out against EA’s lack of support for the ALGS and their subsequent decision to leave entirely. Liquid CEO Steve Arhancet added in the organization’s farewell post that TL “aims to only compete in games where the developers support the teams, so that the teams, in turn, can support the players.” SSG CEO, Shawn Pellerintweeted, “Without a fair revenue sharing partnership to support sustainability… it’s hard to justify investing further.”