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NAVI Signs Spirit

Forum Index > SC2 General
30 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 Next All
TL.net ESPORTS
Profile Joined July 2011
4 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-12-01 16:27:41
December 01 2023 16:22 GMT
#1
Esports team Natus Vincere (NAVI) have announced the signing of (Wiki)Spirit (official announcement). The acquisition marks NAVI's reentry into StarCraft II after it closed its SC2 division (partnered with FXOpen) in 2013.



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TL+ Member
Nakajin
Profile Blog Joined September 2014
Canada8991 Posts
December 01 2023 16:26 GMT
#2
First C9, now NAVI, didn't expect the late 2023 surge of big org in SC2.

Hopefully there's a way for Spirit to end the WTL season with Psistorm
Writerhttp://i.imgur.com/9p6ufcB.jpg
Philippe
Profile Joined October 2020
354 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-12-01 16:32:18
December 01 2023 16:31 GMT
#3
On December 02 2023 01:26 Nakajin wrote:
First C9, now NAVI, didn't expect the late 2023 surge of big org in SC2.

Hopefully there's a way for Spirit to end the WTL season with Psistorm


High chance that it's a no, the player probably needs to strictly be on the roster of PSIS, not "loaned" by NAVI for that purpose.

EDIT : One team owner just confirmed me it's a 100 percent NO.
I'm just a cynical video game enjoyer who is probably unfazed by many business dealings many would find utterly distasteful, while not strictly illegal by the law as seen in a general sense in the world.
lechatnoir
Profile Joined November 2016
392 Posts
December 01 2023 17:17 GMT
#4
Someone must smell money. Huh.

But great for Spirit, gl!
Balnazza
Profile Joined January 2018
Germany1381 Posts
December 01 2023 17:56 GMT
#5
That definetly and 100% confirms that SC2 will be on Gamers8. Curious to see who else will start signing players soon. FaZe? Astralis? fnatic?
"Wenn die Zauberin runter geht, dann macht sie die Beine breit" - Khaldor, trying to cast WC3 German-only
TL+ Member
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33712 Posts
December 01 2023 18:19 GMT
#6
On December 02 2023 02:56 Balnazza wrote:
That definetly and 100% confirms that SC2 will be on Gamers8. Curious to see who else will start signing players soon. FaZe? Astralis? fnatic?


Yeah, I'd be interested in hearing from people who follow esports at large, about what orgs are starting to ramp up acquisitions in the various G8 categories.
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
Balnazza
Profile Joined January 2018
Germany1381 Posts
December 01 2023 19:38 GMT
#7
For the games that I follow closely, SC2 seems to be the only one so far. No unusual aquisitions for AoE2/4 or WC3. Nothing for Quake either, which could have been a cool addition if you wanted to have a duel FPS present. The Fighting segment seems to be quiet for now aswell, though I imagine there will be some pick-ups there eventually.
Lastly for FIFA (or whatever it is now called) there is a chance, but it feels like the entire game is strictly in the hands of Football Clubs, so there might not be anything going on.
"Wenn die Zauberin runter geht, dann macht sie die Beine breit" - Khaldor, trying to cast WC3 German-only
TL+ Member
tigera6
Profile Joined March 2021
3516 Posts
December 02 2023 01:29 GMT
#8
How can PsiStorm let this happen, either they suck at making contract with players or they just dont care about WTL. This will be another wasted season for MaxPax and his team might just miss the playoff.

Also, I guess the big esport team was looking at what Classic did and want to get those extra points next year. Wonder if they will go the S-tier guys at some point.
Balnazza
Profile Joined January 2018
Germany1381 Posts
December 02 2023 02:01 GMT
#9
On December 02 2023 10:29 tigera6 wrote:
How can PsiStorm let this happen, either they suck at making contract with players or they just dont care about WTL. This will be another wasted season for MaxPax and his team might just miss the playoff.

Also, I guess the big esport team was looking at what Classic did and want to get those extra points next year. Wonder if they will go the S-tier guys at some point.


The more interesting question is "why is NaVi signing him now?"
If they had to buy him out of his contract, they definetly could have waited. So I guess the most reasonable explanation would be that his contract was up and he was free right now. Which ofc begs the question "how did that happen?". Answer could be that Psistorm contracted Spirit for six month, since they didn't knew at that point when the next WTL season would be up. So now his contract was up, he didn't sign a new one, done.
Honestly: If that is what happened, it might suck, but I don't think you can blame Psistorm for that. Sadly you can't really align contracts with WTL, since we never know when the next one will be (actually, we don't even know for sure IF there is a next one).
"Wenn die Zauberin runter geht, dann macht sie die Beine breit" - Khaldor, trying to cast WC3 German-only
TL+ Member
Light_VIP
Profile Joined April 2014
Australia109 Posts
December 02 2023 03:00 GMT
#10
On December 02 2023 11:01 Balnazza wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 02 2023 10:29 tigera6 wrote:
How can PsiStorm let this happen, either they suck at making contract with players or they just dont care about WTL. This will be another wasted season for MaxPax and his team might just miss the playoff.

Also, I guess the big esport team was looking at what Classic did and want to get those extra points next year. Wonder if they will go the S-tier guys at some point.


The more interesting question is "why is NaVi signing him now?"
If they had to buy him out of his contract, they definetly could have waited. So I guess the most reasonable explanation would be that his contract was up and he was free right now. Which ofc begs the question "how did that happen?". Answer could be that Psistorm contracted Spirit for six month, since they didn't knew at that point when the next WTL season would be up. So now his contract was up, he didn't sign a new one, done.
Honestly: If that is what happened, it might suck, but I don't think you can blame Psistorm for that. Sadly you can't really align contracts with WTL, since we never know when the next one will be (actually, we don't even know for sure IF there is a next one).

PSISTORM signed Spirit specifically for WTL. I have to assume Spirit was bought out / poached with a much higher salary otherwise PSISTORM would've made a departure post (which they have done for their previous players, GuMiho, SpeCial, Has). Ironically this is similar to what happened during WTL summer, when PSISTORM took Spirit from Starlight Twinkle mid season.
Philippe
Profile Joined October 2020
354 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-12-02 03:02:19
December 02 2023 03:01 GMT
#11
On December 02 2023 11:01 Balnazza wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 02 2023 10:29 tigera6 wrote:
How can PsiStorm let this happen, either they suck at making contract with players or they just dont care about WTL. This will be another wasted season for MaxPax and his team might just miss the playoff.

Also, I guess the big esport team was looking at what Classic did and want to get those extra points next year. Wonder if they will go the S-tier guys at some point.


The more interesting question is "why is NaVi signing him now?"
If they had to buy him out of his contract, they definetly could have waited. So I guess the most reasonable explanation would be that his contract was up and he was free right now. Which ofc begs the question "how did that happen?". Answer could be that Psistorm contracted Spirit for six month, since they didn't knew at that point when the next WTL season would be up. So now his contract was up, he didn't sign a new one, done.
Honestly: If that is what happened, it might suck, but I don't think you can blame Psistorm for that. Sadly you can't really align contracts with WTL, since we never know when the next one will be (actually, we don't even know for sure IF there is a next one).


Likely didn't matter much for the purposes of playoff qualification. Worst case scenario that could happen only if MYG wins 11 maps/loses 1 and Psistorm loses all of them, because of the map difference clause. (given the head-to-head only enters into account after)

What does matter is whether PSIS chooses to roll with the team they still have for the event, or if they panic recruit.
I'm just a cynical video game enjoyer who is probably unfazed by many business dealings many would find utterly distasteful, while not strictly illegal by the law as seen in a general sense in the world.
Balnazza
Profile Joined January 2018
Germany1381 Posts
December 02 2023 04:00 GMT
#12
On December 02 2023 12:00 Light_VIP wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 02 2023 11:01 Balnazza wrote:
On December 02 2023 10:29 tigera6 wrote:
How can PsiStorm let this happen, either they suck at making contract with players or they just dont care about WTL. This will be another wasted season for MaxPax and his team might just miss the playoff.

Also, I guess the big esport team was looking at what Classic did and want to get those extra points next year. Wonder if they will go the S-tier guys at some point.


The more interesting question is "why is NaVi signing him now?"
If they had to buy him out of his contract, they definetly could have waited. So I guess the most reasonable explanation would be that his contract was up and he was free right now. Which ofc begs the question "how did that happen?". Answer could be that Psistorm contracted Spirit for six month, since they didn't knew at that point when the next WTL season would be up. So now his contract was up, he didn't sign a new one, done.
Honestly: If that is what happened, it might suck, but I don't think you can blame Psistorm for that. Sadly you can't really align contracts with WTL, since we never know when the next one will be (actually, we don't even know for sure IF there is a next one).

PSISTORM signed Spirit specifically for WTL. I have to assume Spirit was bought out / poached with a much higher salary otherwise PSISTORM would've made a departure post (which they have done for their previous players, GuMiho, SpeCial, Has). Ironically this is similar to what happened during WTL summer, when PSISTORM took Spirit from Starlight Twinkle mid season.


I usually would totally agree, but it feels weird for NaVi to buy out a player right now. Even IF they wanted to form a team for WTL (which I doubt) they would have had time for that. I get why C9 wanted to sign GuMiho as fast as possible, but this one doesn't seem as urgent to me tbh.
"Wenn die Zauberin runter geht, dann macht sie die Beine breit" - Khaldor, trying to cast WC3 German-only
TL+ Member
Riner1212
Profile Joined November 2012
United States337 Posts
December 02 2023 06:42 GMT
#13
spirit is a decent player wish him all the success.
Sjow "pretty ez life as protoss"
oneill12
Profile Joined February 2012
Romania1222 Posts
December 02 2023 08:28 GMT
#14
nice to see
Light_VIP
Profile Joined April 2014
Australia109 Posts
December 02 2023 08:30 GMT
#15
On December 02 2023 13:00 Balnazza wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 02 2023 12:00 Light_VIP wrote:
On December 02 2023 11:01 Balnazza wrote:
On December 02 2023 10:29 tigera6 wrote:
How can PsiStorm let this happen, either they suck at making contract with players or they just dont care about WTL. This will be another wasted season for MaxPax and his team might just miss the playoff.

Also, I guess the big esport team was looking at what Classic did and want to get those extra points next year. Wonder if they will go the S-tier guys at some point.


The more interesting question is "why is NaVi signing him now?"
If they had to buy him out of his contract, they definetly could have waited. So I guess the most reasonable explanation would be that his contract was up and he was free right now. Which ofc begs the question "how did that happen?". Answer could be that Psistorm contracted Spirit for six month, since they didn't knew at that point when the next WTL season would be up. So now his contract was up, he didn't sign a new one, done.
Honestly: If that is what happened, it might suck, but I don't think you can blame Psistorm for that. Sadly you can't really align contracts with WTL, since we never know when the next one will be (actually, we don't even know for sure IF there is a next one).

PSISTORM signed Spirit specifically for WTL. I have to assume Spirit was bought out / poached with a much higher salary otherwise PSISTORM would've made a departure post (which they have done for their previous players, GuMiho, SpeCial, Has). Ironically this is similar to what happened during WTL summer, when PSISTORM took Spirit from Starlight Twinkle mid season.


I usually would totally agree, but it feels weird for NaVi to buy out a player right now. Even IF they wanted to form a team for WTL (which I doubt) they would have had time for that. I get why C9 wanted to sign GuMiho as fast as possible, but this one doesn't seem as urgent to me tbh.


I think it's safe to assume just like C9 they are looking to have a presence in StarCraft leading into Gamers 8 for the bonus they receive for competing in multiple esports. Especially if the rumours about gamers 8 being the new world finals for starcraft are true, its important for these teams to invest early to support players going into Atlanta and IEM Katowice.
Most people expect big teams like this to invest looking for individual players that are at the top of their regions. We already have C9 and now NaVi, wouldn't be surprised if we get a few more teams come in for single pick ups.
zalem95
Profile Joined January 2011
Peru189 Posts
December 02 2023 12:26 GMT
#16
Big news for Spirit and well deserved for him, such a talented player
nothing special
Balnazza
Profile Joined January 2018
Germany1381 Posts
December 02 2023 14:29 GMT
#17
On December 02 2023 17:30 Light_VIP wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 02 2023 13:00 Balnazza wrote:
On December 02 2023 12:00 Light_VIP wrote:
On December 02 2023 11:01 Balnazza wrote:
On December 02 2023 10:29 tigera6 wrote:
How can PsiStorm let this happen, either they suck at making contract with players or they just dont care about WTL. This will be another wasted season for MaxPax and his team might just miss the playoff.

Also, I guess the big esport team was looking at what Classic did and want to get those extra points next year. Wonder if they will go the S-tier guys at some point.


The more interesting question is "why is NaVi signing him now?"
If they had to buy him out of his contract, they definetly could have waited. So I guess the most reasonable explanation would be that his contract was up and he was free right now. Which ofc begs the question "how did that happen?". Answer could be that Psistorm contracted Spirit for six month, since they didn't knew at that point when the next WTL season would be up. So now his contract was up, he didn't sign a new one, done.
Honestly: If that is what happened, it might suck, but I don't think you can blame Psistorm for that. Sadly you can't really align contracts with WTL, since we never know when the next one will be (actually, we don't even know for sure IF there is a next one).

PSISTORM signed Spirit specifically for WTL. I have to assume Spirit was bought out / poached with a much higher salary otherwise PSISTORM would've made a departure post (which they have done for their previous players, GuMiho, SpeCial, Has). Ironically this is similar to what happened during WTL summer, when PSISTORM took Spirit from Starlight Twinkle mid season.


I usually would totally agree, but it feels weird for NaVi to buy out a player right now. Even IF they wanted to form a team for WTL (which I doubt) they would have had time for that. I get why C9 wanted to sign GuMiho as fast as possible, but this one doesn't seem as urgent to me tbh.


I think it's safe to assume just like C9 they are looking to have a presence in StarCraft leading into Gamers 8 for the bonus they receive for competing in multiple esports. Especially if the rumours about gamers 8 being the new world finals for starcraft are true, its important for these teams to invest early to support players going into Atlanta and IEM Katowice.
Most people expect big teams like this to invest looking for individual players that are at the top of their regions. We already have C9 and now NaVi, wouldn't be surprised if we get a few more teams come in for single pick ups.


We talked about that right above your comment
But you made a fair point with Atlanta. If Psistorm would not have been able to send Spirit to Atlanta, it makes sense that NaVi scoops him up now to improve his chances for the potential Gamers 8 Championship
"Wenn die Zauberin runter geht, dann macht sie die Beine breit" - Khaldor, trying to cast WC3 German-only
TL+ Member
Poopi
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
France13023 Posts
December 02 2023 22:16 GMT
#18
Congrats to Spirit.
Hopefully « traditional » esports team that didn’t give a damn about sc2 won’t try to get top players like Maru for the Saudi gamers8 though.
WriterMaru
Light_VIP
Profile Joined April 2014
Australia109 Posts
December 03 2023 02:16 GMT
#19
On December 03 2023 07:16 Poopi wrote:
Congrats to Spirit.
Hopefully « traditional » esports team that didn’t give a damn about sc2 won’t try to get top players like Maru for the Saudi gamers8 though.

Yeah, I think it's going to be difficult to take players away from the top established SC2 teams likes ONSYDE, DKZ, Shopify, BASILISK and Team Liquid. I'm sure those teams will be holding on to their players hard.
duckTemplar
Profile Joined February 2011
United States216 Posts
December 03 2023 02:39 GMT
#20
great news
The first word Kerrigan said to Raynor was "...You Pig!", to Raynor's response "What? ... oh you're a psychic"
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