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CS:GO

IEM Katowice 2021 Playoffs – The rise of the CIS

The IEM Katowice 2021 Playoffs are right around the corner. Six teams remain in one of the biggest tournaments of the year. The Playoffs section of IEM Katowice is typically reserved the strongest of Europe, the CIS and NA. However, the 2021 edition of the event is seeing the overwhelming presence of the CIS teams. Let us take a look at the journey of the Playoff teams and what it means moving forward.

The CIS dominate

Just before the event, we at Dart Frog mentioned that the CIS teams really have the potential to upset this event. Lo and behold this is exactly what happened. The four CIS team all made it to the Playoffs, with Team Spirit being the team to earn a direct seed into the semi-finals.

The four teams all had interesting runs through the Group Stages, with theoretically surprise upsets all over the place. We know for a fact that these teams certainly had the potential to go far. The likes of Gambit and Virtus Pro have attended events throughout last year getting wins over some of Europe’s and NA’s best. On the other hand, Team Spirit and Na’Vi have been at each other throats for the majority of 2020 in the CIS regional brackets.

The Lower Bracket CIS teams

Gambit Esports started off slow, losing 0-2 to EG in the first round. However, they went on to win their Lower Bracket group. They beat mousesports, Heroic, and G2 Esports in the Lower Bracket. G2 and mousesports all fell 2-0 the former youngsters. while Heroic gave them a good showing ina 2-1 series. Arguably, mousesports and G2 were not as big, since both these teams have issues. But the Heroic series was certainly a valid upset.

not bad, king

Moving on, Virtus.Pro was in the same spot. They too had to make a Lower Bracket Round One run in Group B. VP started off with a loss to CIS supreme team oof NaVi. The roster then crawled it back with a 2-0 win over NiP and surprisingly Team Vitality, before taking down FURIA and making it to the Playoffs.

The Upper CIS

The number one dog in Na’Vi has a good run through the Group Stages, only losing to Team Liquid in the Upper Bracket Final. Na’Vi performed very well against VP, with a very similar result vs FURIA. The only time Na’Vi was really challenged was against Team Liquid, with the third map going to overtime before Team Liquid won the series.

Meanwhile, Team Spirit performed exceptionally well. TS started off very competitive vs G2 Esports. A 2-1 series was the result, with the Team Spirit victories being fairly close. The same story could be told for Heroic with 16-12 and 16-14 map results. Although, the real surprise was the Astralis series. The roster continued their narrative, until the final map of the Upper Bracket of Group A. The result was a near 16-0 for Team Spirit, with Astralis only clutching the pistol round to make it a 16-1 map. The result is actually incredible.

If only this moment was on LAN
An appropriate meme

What’s Next

IEM Katowice 2021 Playoffs commences on February 26t with the Quarter Finals. Natus Vincere faces off against fellow CIS team Gambit, with Astralis battling Virtus.pro on the other side of the bracket. The winners of Na’Vi and Gambit will then advance to face off against Team Spirit, with Team Liquid awaiting the other series.

Regardless of the outcome, there will be at least one CIS team in the Finals, which is certainly something to shout home about. We look forward to seeing the action unfold in the IEM Katowice 2021 Playoffs.

Will the dream come true?

Stay tuned to Dartfrog for all the latest news and analysis on CS:GO and follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch.  Image via ESL Gaming.

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CS:GO

IEM Katowice 2021: MiBR vs. Fnatic Result Eliminates The Swedes

After a shocking start to the IEM Katowice 2021 event, Fnatic has departed the tournament after failing to win a map. The Swedish squad played their final series against MiBR, which ended in a 2-0 sweep. As a result one of the most decorated teams in Katowice history is out. Although far from the predicted result, it’s emblematic of the beauty of Katowice. So what happened?

Fnatic’s Drop to Lower Bracket

Fnatic started off the event in a bad spot. In their first series versus OG, the roster failed to amount to anything. Starting Overpass on CT side, the squad started at a deficit to their opponents 10-5 . Moving onto the next half, things weren’t much better. OG started off strong on the weaker side transitioned into the new half where they snowballed a 16-9 win.

As for the players themselves, only Freddy “KRIMZ” Johansson of the old guard performed well, with a 0.93 rating. The IGL, Maikil “Golden” Kunda Selim, had to step up with his 0.9 rating. This was against the likes of OG’s Nathan “NBK-” Schmitt’s Deagle 3k, Issa “ISSAA” Murad’s near pistol ace, and other clutch moments.

MiBR vs. Fnatic

The MiBR vs Fnatic series, compared to the OG match, was quite surprising. The new MiBR lineup consisted of the former BOOM roster, after MiBR’s temporary fix late last year backfired. This roster is decent, but heading to one of the biggest ESL Pro Tour events with a lineup that wasn’t part of the team’s 2020 journey was sketchy. However, taking down Fnatic is a good sign.

This series was again a straight 2-0, with MiBR winning Dust 16-12 and Overpass 16-9. The trend continues of Fnatic losing Overpass on the same score. But as for the player ratings, the result was flipped on its head. Younger stars Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin and Jack Ström “Jackinho” Mattsson took the reins while the old guard and IGL fell off.

With the defeat, Fnatic says goodbye to an event they have won several times. It seems likely that Fnatic can bounce back as, they have done before. Hopefully, the roster can come out of this slump and learn along with their new younger talent.

Goodbye Fnatic

Stay tuned to Dartfrog for all the latest news and analysis on CS:GO and follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch.  Image via ESL Gaming

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CS:GO

IEM Katowice 2021 talent line-up announced, GeT RiGhT on Analyst Desk

ESL Gaming has announced the IEM Katowice 2021 talent line-up for its CS:GO event. The tournament is getting plenty of CS:GO’s biggest talent to cast, analyse and host the event, alongside a few notable figures added into the fray.

IEM Katowice 2021 talent line-up

The usual CS:GO talent pool is back for the IEM Katowice 2021 event. The talent list features the big names we see across several ESL Gaming CS:GO events. Furthermore, a few rising star talent members are part of the main line-up, with a few faces we know and love acting as analysts.

  • Tres “stunna” Saranthus – Desk Host
  • Janko “YNk” Paunović – Analyst
  • Aleksandar “kassad” Trifunović – Analyst
  • Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund – Analyst
  • Alex “Machine” Richardson  – Caster
  • Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill  – Caster
  • Harry “JustHarry” Russell – Caster
  • Hugo “Hugo” Bryon – Caster
  • Frankie “Frankie” Ward – Interviewer

Most of the names on the list are the usual CS:GO talent we see during events. However, the interesting part is the promotion of caster duo, Harry and Hugo, alongside the masterminds of CS:GO, YNK, Kassad, and GeT Right.

The other talent taking part for the alternate streams are

  • Mike “DarfMike” Winnick – Caster
  • Joshua “Dweg” Nathan – Caster
  • Jamie “TheEternalJay” Martin – Caster
  • Dean “Dean” Brown
The full talent list across every stream of the event.

The return of the old guard

Some of the old guard of CS:GO is back at Katowice 2021, only this time they are the three broadcast analysts. GeT Right, YNK, and Kassad feature on the analyst’s desk, with all three very recently announcing changes to their careers. GeT Right announced he was stepping down from competitive play in January 2021. YNK and Kassad, on the other hand, both left their recent projects as coaches on FaZe Clan and Cloud 9 respectively.

The trio on the analyst desk is something that is going to want fans to tune into and listen to their post-game commentary. IEM Katowice 2021 kicks off on February 16th- through to the 28th with the most well rounded CS:GO teams throughout 2020 in attendance. This year is going to be big, even with the event taking place online yet again.

Stay tuned to Dartfrog for all the latest news and analysis on CS:GO and follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch.  Image via ESL Gaming.

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CS:GO

Valve release 2020 RMR Stickers, limit coaches for 2021 RMR

Valve has released the 2020 RMR capsules to celebrate the year-long effort for the Rio Major that never happened. Teams that were in the running for RMR points have got stickers to celebrate the online era, with aa slightly gloomy outlook for the RMR 2021 event.

RMR 2020 Stickers

The RMR 2020 Stickers are out, with fans able to get capsules in CS:GO, buying keys to unlock items as with any other case. The 2020 RMR Stickers are the latest esports connection to enter the market. The capsule features the usual major classification, broken into Legends, Challengers, and Contenders.

The 2020 RMR Capsules are out

The Legends capsule features the teams that would have otherwise been invited to the Major as they were the top dogs of 2020 for the separated regions. The capsule contains stickers for:

  • FURIA
  • Evil Geniuses
  • Team Vitality
  • Heroic
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas
  • Natus Vincere
  • Team Spirit

The Contenders contain the teams that can be very well described as contenders. Teams making fresh climbs out of the t2 scene, or t1 teams getting their mojo back are in the capsule.

  • Virtus Pro
  • FaZe Clan
  • North
  • ESPADA
  • Gen.G
  • Boom
  • Renegades
  • TYLOO

The final capsule is the RMR Challenger capsule. The capsule contains the big T1 brands we know and love and the best performing teams in 2020.

  • Astralis
  • BIG
  • Fnatic
  • G2
  • OG
  • GODSENT
  • Nemiga
  • Liquid

RMR 2021 Changes

Alongside the 2020 RMR capsules, Valve announced the changes coming to the RMR 2021. The new changes see Valve’s dislike of coaches come to the forefront, with the 2020 RMR points getting reset to an extent.

The partial point reset is in effect as the new CS:GO season begins. Teams that made the most points in the 2020 RMR event have gained some form of Major Legend status. Teams in the Legends stage start the new season on 600 points, with the Challengers on 300 and Contenders on 100. The bonus points of the season are good as Valve will continue the RMR system for 2021. The recently announced PGL Major set for October-November 2021 will determine the 24 teams competing through the RMR system.

The 2021 RMR system will feature a few roster rule changes. The new RMR feature will allow teams to make substitutes for any player that is not already connected to another team, except for coaches. There is a slight punishment for subbing out players, but if a player is brought back in, then there is no penalty. It means that teams taking 6 player rosters can work heir strategies into different series, and still use emergency subs from free agents. However, it means that the coach can no longer play, and that isn’t the only thing affecting them.

RMR Coach changes

Valve has decided that coaches can no longer be in the room, server, or play for teams in the RMR events. Valve has continuously restricted the power of coaches in live games for a while, and the recent scandals of 2020 has only positioned them further.

Coaches for esports teams in RMR event can no longer be on the server or speak to the team during an online match. This also applies to any other non-player staff in the organisation. Valve believes this will prevent any other major drama that can devalue any competitive integrity.

The story dates back to September when ESIC banned 37 coaches for spectator bug abuse. Coaches caught in the ESIC ban wave can now miss a number of Majors because of their actions, ranging from one major to a permanent ban on Majors.

Valve has a full list of information regarding the RMR 2021 event here.

Stay tuned to Dartfrog for all the latest news and analysis on CS:GO and follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch.  Image via Valve.

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CS:GO

PGL to host CS:GO Major set for October

The esports event organizer, PGL has announced it is set to host a CS:GO Major in October 2021. The event is going to be the biggest CS:GO event ever, with a $2,000,000 USD prize pool and an online 4k 60fps viewing experience. Fans around the world can expect the event to occur between the 23rd October to 7th November.

PGL is back with the next Major scheduled for October to November 2020

PGL is set to bring CS:GO back home for 2021, with the Major heading back to where it all began in Sweden. Fans can expect to head to Stockholm to watch live CS:GO, presuming it is safe to do so by the time of the event. This is the first time that a CS:GO Major heads to the Swedish capital, despite being the third Major set for the nation. If things go ahead, fans can descend onto the Ericsson Globe, a 16,000 capacity crowd.

With the announcement, PGL gets its first Major in over four years. PGL has hosted the Cluj-Napoca in 2015, and Kraków in 2017. Back then Team EnVyUs and Gambit claimed those Major titles respectively, creating some crazy moments in CS:GO history.

At those events, PGL innovated the streaming experience of CS:GO, the 2017 event had the first 1080p 60 fps stream for CS:GO. The 4K stream is just another example of how PGL wants to keep modernising the CS:GO experience. The recent wave of the online era of CS:GO has most events feeling the same, so any enhanced viewing experience is a sign organisers are working on improving the current era.

But the most exciting part about this Major is that there is going to be a new Major to look forward to. The last Major event to go ahead was the StarLadder Berlin Major through August and September 2019. ESL had the rights to the next Major, scheduled for Rio back in the Spring of 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event online, with its format changed to an RMR event. Unfortunately, ESL eventually outright cancelled the event, opting for the IEM Global Challenge as a mini Major through December 2020.

Stay tuned to Dartfrog for all the latest news and analysis on CS:GO and follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch.  Image via PGL.

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League of Legends

LCS 2021 format changes: More games, less time off

It may still feel far away in your mind, but 2021 is looming, and with it a fresh year of LCS action. Yesterday, on December 14, the NA’s top League of Legends division gave us an early Christmas present: A new format.  Revealed in detail on Travis Gafford’s YouTube channel, the format debuts a number of changes. These include new names for the playoffs, a shorter Spring Split, and lots more games.

The season will kick off on January 15 with “The LCS Lock In.” This cash and charity tournament will pit the LCS teams against each other for $200,000 in prize money. The teams will be split into a unique set of groups decided by the previous season’s champions. The top four teams from each group advance to a playoff with the winner taking home $150,000 plus $50,000 for a charity of their choice.

Image via Travis Gafford

The Spring Split will run between February 5 and March 14. In a trimmed-down triple round-robin best-of-one format, teams will play three games over a weekend. This gives us 15 games a week total. As a result the spring split will only take 6 weeks. Following this, the spring playoffs, now renamed the “Mid Season Showdown” will take place. The top 6 teams clash in a double elimination tournament. The victor will be crowned as spring champion and given a spot at the Mid Season Invitational.

Summer will follow a similar format, with another round-robin season. This time it’s a full 9 weeks, running from June 4 to August 11. After this, the summer playoffs, now name the LCS Championship, will pit the 8 top teams against each other. The top three teams will then head to Worlds 2021, representing NA on the grandest stage.

Image via Travis Gafford

But questions have to be asked whether this is the right move for the LCS. While some reactions to changes have been universally positive, others have seen flaws in the new format. Carrying over results between splits will make each game more important to the league. However, questions remain over how the LCS will handle the new schedule.

Last year the LCS had subpar production values. On top of this, the new schedule, at least in spring, will make it incredibly difficult for players to have any down time. The schedule seems more akin to the manic mass games of Season Three, rather than the sleek modern production we’ve seen from the LEC in these past years. As a result, it remains to be seen whether the LCS in 2021 can deliver a top quality product and production while dealing with these new format changes. 

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