OpTic Gaming CSGO squad announces disbanding, free agency

Olivia Richman Published 12/10/2019

While the Immortals Gaming Club buyout was a boon for OpTic Gaming’s League of Legends team, it spelled the end of an era for the organization’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive roster. 

OpTic Gaming’s former CSGO squad had been released earlier this year to avoid conflict, since Immortals already owned their own CSGO team, MIBR. They had been looking for a new organization since then, but their tournament results held them back from this goal. In the end, they decided to call it quits altogether. 

The news came in the form of an announcement from in-game leader Mathias “MSL” Lauridsen. He told his followers that he had made the decision to bench himself. 

“When I joined Optic, the plan was to build a strong team and buy out strong players, but because of Optic getting sold, that changed and we have constantly been in a position where we couldn’t build a proper team,” MSL tweeted. 

MSL went on to note that he is open to offers from teams in North America and Europe, though he is in no hurry. 

“This time, I want a team that I can believe in,” he said. 

In May of this year, MSL had tweeted that his team would make their way back to the top five. But his confidence in the roster seems to have diminished since then, perhaps due to René “cajunb” Borg leaving the squad for North earlier in the year. Since then, OpTic began to fill its roster with lesser known players, including cajunb’s replacement Oliver “kwezz” Rasmussen.

Despite being a competitive team in 2018, OpTic Gaming was eliminated at FACEIT Major: London’s Challenger Stage, finishing their run with a 2-3 record. They also were unable to qualify for the 2019 Katowice Major thereafter. 

Their final appearance was at ESL Pro League Season 10, where the former OpTic roster finished last in their group after losses to FaZe Clan, mousesports, and BIG. This was most likely the final straw for the squad.

OpTic Gaming CSGO pros on the lookout for new teams

After MSL’s announcement, others chimed in. 

“We have chosen to disband the OpTic lineup because there is no future in OpTic. I’m ready to be sold individually. I strongly feel like this is the best choice. My focus is to get my individual skill up while I wait,” tweeted Kristian “k0nfig” Wienecke. 

He noted that the current situation has made him “honestly sad,” since he has enjoyed playing with MSL and Nikolaj “NiKo” Kristensen. 

“But there is no future because their contract is far longer than mine and OpTic wouldnt let us buy any players/give them contracts. It has all been a waiting game,” he revealed. 

So far, it’s not clear where the former OpTic Gaming lineup will end up. But any organization looking to sign one of the players will have to pay a buy-out. 

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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