Vitality set to recruit young CSGO talent to replace ALEX - Dexerto
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Vitality set to recruit young CSGO talent to replace ALEX

Published: 5/Mar/2020 11:44 Updated: 5/Mar/2020 18:46

by Kamil Malinowski
DreamHack

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team vitality

Team Vitality are reportedly set to sign French rising star Kévin ‘Misutaaa’ Rabier as a replacement for Alex ‘ALEX’ McMeekin, who announced his departure from the team on March 4. 

2020 seems to be off to a shaky start for Team Vitality as In-Game leader ALEX announced a shock departure from the team.

The move was first reported by neLendirekt and later confirmed by both the team and player, who cited issues with a packed travel schedule as the core reason behind his departure and likely a step back from Counter-Strike overall.

ALEX competing with Vitality at StarLadder.
StarLadder
ALEX joined Team Vitality back in 2018, and led the team to multiple championships.

At first, French star player Ali ‘hAdji’ Haïnouss was favorite to replace the Englishman, however, neL has returned with another report, claiming that 17-year-old Mistuaaa will be joining the French squad.

Update, March 5, 1:45PM EST: Vitality has now confirmed the signing of Misutaaa.

The player may be somewhat unknown to many, but he is considered a hot prospect in the French scene and has already shown off impressive skills, both in the ESL French Championship and in FaceIT Pro League matches. 

Team Vitality celebrating victory at ECS Season 7 Finals.
ECS
Team Vitality had a promising 2019 and were looking primed to succeed in 2020.

Although, being a young talent, he isn’t likely to take on a leadership role, meaning that it will fall on another member of the team. Many fans place Richard ‘shox’ Papillon as the favorite for that position as he has previously lead teams like G2 and Team Envyus.

Business

BLAST announce Nubia mobile esports promotion at Premier Fall Series

Published: 23/Oct/2020 11:23

by Adam Fitch
BLAST Premier Fall Series Nubia Technology
BLAST/Nubia

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BLAST Premier

Counter-Strike tournament series BLAST Premier has named Nubia Technology as its very first mobile phone partner.

Nubia’s gaming phone, the RedMagic 5S, will be advertised during the BLAST Premier Fall Series starting on October 26.

Not only will Nubia’s phone be shown through in-game branding, the technology company will host giveaways where fans can win their own RedMagic 5S and behind-the-scenes access to the tournament.

On-screen talent like Anders and Semmler will also get their hands on the phone.

BLAST Premier Fall Series with S1mple
BLAST
The event will be played online but features teams from both Europe and North America.

While this partnership doesn’t include a mobile esports tournament it’s clear that BLAST are willing to embrace and encourage mobile gaming, which could be a sign of things to come in the future. They have been expanding their reach into new games in 2020, including Valorant and Dota 2, so perhaps a mobile title could be next.

“We are excited to showcase Nubia’s impressive RedMagic 5S gaming phone to the esports ecosystem via our global audience,” said Leo Matlock, BLAST’s commercial director. “This partnership is a strong fit with both brands sharing a major focus on innovation, technology and gaming – and with more and more people gaming and watching BLAST Premier on their phones every day – their product should be something that naturally resonates with our fans.”

All 12 teams in the BLAST Premier Fall Series will play from Europe, making for one of the first international Counter-Strike competitions since the first quarter of 2020.

Nubia
The phone was designed with gaming in mind.

With events moving online in March due to the global health situation, Europe and American teams have typically been split up due to poor ping posing a threat to competitive integrity.

European sides Astralis, Natus Vincere, Ninjas in Pyjamas, G2 Esports, OG, Team Vitality, FaZe Clan, and BIG will face off against American teams Complexity, MIBR, Evil Geniuses, and FURIA at BLAST Premier.