European organization Fnatic, who competed in Southeast Asia in Dota 2, are departing the DPC for the foreseeable future.
Sadness and shock this morning (Feb. 10) as storied esports organization Fnatic exits the Dota Pro Circuit, citing a lack of sustainability. The announcement was revealed on Fnatic’s social media and in an extended blog post on team’s website.
In the blog post, Fnatic thanks the Southeast Asian community for their support and passion, and the chance to showcase the organization’s competitive drive. However, the post goes on to explain that org will be withdrawing from the Dota 2 Pro Circuit, stating that they have made a difficult but necessary decision based on sustainability and the future of the title for Fnatic.
The Fnatic roster of Kim "Gabbi" Santos, Armel "Armel" Tabios, Damien "kpii" Chok, Djardel "DJ" Mampusti, and Jaunuel "Jaunuel" Arcilla will continue to compete in the ongoing BTS Pro Series under the banner.
Under current DPC rules, Fnatic’s slot belongs to the org, but are apparently “working hard to source a new home for our existing Dota players and staff before formally leaving the DPC Tour 2023.” This likely means the team is looking to sell its slot.
A dramatic departure from the game
While Fnatic started as a European team, switching its HoN team that included Johan “N0tail” Sundstein to Dota in 2012, the organization was synonymous with the Southeast Asian scene. In 2015, they picked up the then Team Malaysia, starting an almost nine year run in the region that has seen some of the most famous SEA players of all time wear the orange and black.
However, Fnatic’s most recent results had been disappointing, with the team falling to last place in Division I of the DPC SEA 2023 Tour 1. For Tour 2, the team would be in Div II, and competing for no DPC points, and less money.
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As detailed in their announcement by Fnatic chief gaming officer, Patrik Sättermon, the team’s achievements include “nine consecutive appearances at The International, finishing fourth at the event in 2016 and a string of back-to-back wins both regionally and internationally during the early days of the pandemic.”
DJ, the team’s four position, also commented: “I will always be thankful for the opportunity and support given to me by Fnatic for the past eight years. It’s my pride and joy to be part of one of the best esports organizations in the world. For me, Fnatic will always be an important part of my life and I wish them nothing but good luck for their future endeavors.”
“I will always be thankful for the opportunity and support given to me by Fnatic for the past eight years."
In a separate TwitLonger, the team director, Pao Bago explained that he had been informed of the departure a week prior to today’s announcement. According to Bago, Fnatic’s reasoning was “Economic downturn in the western market and the looming recession placing pressures on not only Fnatic, but many other companies inside the space and outside it, that the company would be dropping Dota 2 to focus on other ventures and to reduce losses.”
But hope for the lineup doesn’t end here. According to the now former Fnatic team director, the team is looking for new orgs, sponsors, or even looking to set out on their own. He ends his TwitLonger on a hopeful note: “Job's not done. We have a TI to go to.”
