NRG Esports has made headlines by declaring its exit from the competitive world of Apex Legends esports, attributing EA’s insufficient support for esports and organizations as a primary factor in their departure with Jaime Cohenca, Chief Gaming Officer at NRG Esports solidly voicing their stance on social media.
With a five-year history in Apex Legends, NRG has witnessed a revolving door of streamers and professional players donning their jersey including legendary players like Dizzy Mohr, Aceu, Frexs, Rocker, and more recently, Nafen, Gild, and Sweet. NRG’s lineups have consistently garnered fan support and adoration. However, the organization has opted to step back from the esports scene, releasing its players from the ALGS squad.
The organization’s decision to pull out is largely attributed to EA and Respawn’s perceived lack of commitment to esports and the participating teams.
While NRG’s presence in Apex Legends never culminated in an S-Tier trophy, they have achieved top 15 placements at numerous events. Their highest achievement was securing second place in the 2023 Split 1 Playoff.
NRG’s departure adds to the growing list of esports organizations bidding adieu to Apex Legends. In recent times, Cloud9, G2 Esports, and Team Liquid have all parted ways with the esports scene. This trend has emerged due to economic challenges faced by the industry, exacerbated by reports suggesting EA’s reluctance to offer opportunities for organizations to generate revenue through in-game cosmetic sales.
According to sources, EA and Respawn’s plans to share revenue from in-game item sales with organizations were halted, affecting around 20 different teams.
As NRG takes its leave, the esports community watches closely to see how this move may impact the future of Apex Legends esports. Now, questions loom over the fate of their current roster, featuring Sweet, Nafen, and Gild.
While NRG has released the team, they have collectively announced their intent to continue competing, albeit not as a unit. The future configuration of the roster remains somewhat uncertain although all members of the trio are currently keeping their options open, adding an air of intrigue to their next competitive moves.
