QuackNiix · @FnaticQuack
18th Nov 2017 from TwitLonger
Sharing my thoughts regarding rosterchanges etc
So here goes! I don’t know exactly what to write, but I want to address some things regarding why roster changes happen and share my - and our - thought process in the changes that have been made in Fnatic.
In general, change is usually scary. But, in our current situation, I think it’s very healthy and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to continue another year with Fnatic and this new roster.
Now, going straight into the roster changes- concerning this, I’ll only be speaking GENERICALLY that likely affect EVERY team.
I think it’s important to first say that the community only look or have the knowledge of the in-game performances you see on streams and at tournaments. This will lead to very one-dimensional conclusions about the players. Some people look god tier, some people look like they are underperforming, yada yada yada. This is no surprise, that’s just how sports, esports, entertainment, etc work.
But, from the players’ point of view, it’s completely different because there is that inside, intimate knowledge. Players work together as a five for at least 4-6 hours every day. The same five people, no individual projects, always helping each other. To "work together" as an esports team is everything that the professional job is, and a team is expected to perform, improve and strive for the best - as that team.
For that to happen, it’s absolutely necessary for players to have good communication, a good mindset and attitude towards the game and the team, staying consistently motivated and having a friendly but professional relationship with everyone. When problems occur, you have to deal with them as a group because if you don't deal with it can easily spiral out of control. As an individual, it’s a player’s personal responsibility to realise how much work they have to put in and how many sacrifices they have to make to be a teammate.
To be a professional esports player is so much more than being one of the best at clicking buttons and playing the video game at a high level. Don’t get me wrong, playing the game at the highest level is the first priority to even making it as a pro. But that’s only half the job description and nowhere near the most important factor in reaching/staying at the very top. Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard.
So, the biggest reason for making a change to a roster is not when a player loses skill or there’s a skill upgrade on paper. Instead, it’s when difficulties and problems within the team aren’t dealt with properly. People start clashing, people don’t share the same drive, or people see the amount of sacrifices necessary to be part of a team as different from others. Again, a pro has to be good at the game, but hard work beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
Communication, respect, attitude, dedication, friendship - just some of the factors that have to be mutual in making a successful esports team. I hope this makes it clear that working together as a team in esports is pretty abnormal. After working together for over a year, I think it’s totally unsurprising that personalities start clashing, which hurts all those factors above. Again, if it takes too long to solve those problems, the more toxic a practice environment becomes and then it’s too late to save the sinking boat. At that point, the best is usually to makes changes start fresh, restore the balance in the team and most importantly learn from your previous mistakes.
It might not be any one single person’s fault, and it rarely is. It’s just an unavoidable fact of being so close as an esports team.
Writing this gets me really overwhelmed with feelings. So, I really want to give Wubby and Schwimpi a big thank you for the journey of a lifetime. I wish you both the best of luck in the future and I know you will only come out stronger from all of this and continue the success within your new teams. And for the fans: don't be sad it’s ending, be happy it happened! :hearts: :slightly_smiling_face:
Lastly, I wanna ensure the Fnatic fans out there that the new Fnatic roster will not disappoint! I’ve seen a lot of concerns regarding our hero pool with the flexiest of the flex players, Schwimpi being gone, and me already having a pretty small hero pool. But Mene does play a good flex already! He might not have the Tracer, Genji, Medivh plays of Schwimpi, but he brings the S tier mages which compliments my hero pool really well and he straight up plays the supports on the same level as Schwimpi.
Benny is filling the big shoes of solo lane king Wubby. But, don’t worry, Benny is doing great already. He is professional and very smart about the game and is incredibly dedicated to everything mentioned above! So I ask to give the team some time and we’ll make you proud!
I hope this was not to long and boring to read. I just needed to share some of my thought processes.
thx for reading bye :hearts: :slightly_smiling_face: