Gamers8 Proves Tier 1 CS:GO is More Competitive Than Ever

With the conclusion of the Gamers8 CS:GO event, Vitality have as soon as once more confirmed themselves among the many elite groups on the planet. After all, we knew this, after their triumphs on the BLAST.television Paris Main 2023 and IEM Rio 2023.

Credit score: Gamers8GG on Twitter

It’s nonetheless Vitality’s first trophy in three months, with all of ENCE, Heroic, and G2 profitable tournaments in between. Coincidentally, it was these 4 groups that made up the Semi-Finals of Gamers8’s CS:GO event. It’s laborious to recollect a interval the place we had 4 groups so able to lifting the most important prizes. Make no mistake – Gamers8 has proven how Tier 1 CS:GO is extra aggressive than ever.

The Previous Yr of CS:GO

Over the previous yr or so, we’ve seen a number of rosters cement themselves because the best CS:GO team on this planet for a interval. Mid-2022 was FaZe Clan’s peak, with few in a position to cease them on their method to an Intel Grand Slam win. Late-2022 then noticed Heroic come into the fray. They maybe didn’t win as a lot as they’d have appreciated, however they have been the one workforce persistently reaching Grand-Finals.

G2 have been only one workforce with a interval of dominance over the previous yr. Credit score: G2esports on Twitter

Early 2023 noticed the ascension of G2, who went on to set one of many longest unbeaten streaks in CS:GO LAN historical past. Then we had Vitality, who from April onward appeared to click on in a method they hadn’t earlier than. Whereas there have been different good groups competing at every of those occasions, on the time there was little doubt that these groups have been one of the best on this planet.

The Right here and Now

So what’s modified? Finally, it’s a case of the groups on the high by no means dropping to a stage that sees them fall off utterly. There have been understandably a few underperformances alongside the way in which, however nothing to really hit the panic button over. Now, all 4 of ENCE, G2, Vitality, and Heroic are in robust type on the similar time, every in a position to compete for each single trophy.

One potential issue is roster adjustments, or lack thereof. Mid-June to mid-July was CS:GO rostermania, with a lot of the high groups selecting to overtake their squads with recent blood. Of the 4 groups talked about earlier, G2, ENCE, and Heroic caught with their males. On the peak of their powers, Vitality selected to interchange veteran dupreeh with flameZ, however a single change pales compared to what the likes of NAVI and Astralis selected to do with their rosters.

ENCE’s long-term challenge has come to fruition on the proper time. Credit score: Helena Kristiansson | © ESL

It actually looks like maintaining the religion is paying dividends for these groups. The largest workforce not seeing related advantages is FaZe, though there’s a rising feeling we’re seeing a spent power there. We’re on the precipice of Counter-Strike 2’s launch, and that might change the whole lot. Having some roster consistency might show to be important within the insanity of all of it.

Gamers8’s Contribution

The Gamers8 CS:GO tournament was fascinating as a result of its distinctive format. With the BLAST and ESL codecs that we’ve change into so accustomed to, there may be normally some type of prolonged Group Stage previous to the Playoffs. At Gamers8, it was a straight shootout, one single elimination bracket all the way in which to the ultimate. Regardless of all of it, there have been no large surprises. The cream of the crop nonetheless rose to the highest in Riyadh.

Finally, this goes to point out the place ENCE, G2, Vitality, and Heroic are proper now. They’re working at a stage that others merely can’t attain in the intervening time, but after they play one another it’s troublesome to separate them. When it does go down, it’s normally a second of particular person brilliance that makes the distinction, a coin toss at one of the best of instances.

Whereas not everybody can be a fan of the general Gamers8 challenge, there’s little doubt that its distinctive format has displayed simply how aggressive CS:GO is at this second in time. Lengthy might it proceed – whereas eras like Astralis’ from 2017-2019 are enjoyable, there’s little doubt that the scene is more healthy when competitors is stronger than ever.