Game Changers Series 1 Main Event Preview

by Bladee, Clocracy, kdonut, calicayuh

Version1

Version1 will be entering the main event coming off one of the strongest qualifying runs in the event. This relatively new roster of highly experienced and talented players dominated the Series 1 qualifiers with a spotless 8–0 map record.

In the open qualifier, V1 dispatched Wingman Warriors in a quick 13–1, 13–2 series. Next match, they lost a few more rounds against REVIVAL for a 13–7, 13–4 win, citing in a post-match interview that they had “underestimated them a bit.”

Moving onto the closed qualifier, Version1 looked clinical and confident in a 13–4, 13–1 victory over having fun followed by a 13–8, 13–5 victory over Misfits Black to qualify for the main event.

V1 will be facing FaZe Clan GC in round one of the main event. The two teams have no prior match history; however, FaZe has been performing increasingly well in the Series 1 qualifier, ending their previous loss streak with a strong run through qualifiers.

As the heavy favorites, V1 will have to be sure to not underestimate their opponents. Very much in the public eye, Version1 seems to be developing cohesively into the “superteam” they claim themselves to be and are definitely one of the teams to watch in the 2023 Game Changers Series 1 Main Event.

FaZe Clan

FaZe Clan, in their first Game Changers series under FaZe, had a rollercoaster ride through the Closed Qualifier stage, after making quick work of their opponents in the Group Stage, with 2–0s against Scarlet and capuwu.

However, they would run into their first test against Ariana Grande Perfume, wherein they were defeated, 0–2, being sent to the lower bracket in their first match in the Closed Qualifier. As a result, they would have to win three straight matches in the lower bracket to qualify to the Main Event.

Their first opponent would be Shift X, who they put away quickly, 13–3, 13–2. They would then advance to play Velaris, one of the top free agent teams in the region. They would win the first map, Fracture, with a dominant second half, ending 13–5. They would then lose on Icebox, 13–6, striking back in the decider, Ascent, 13–10, taking the series 2–1.

Their final match would be against Akumu, who made waves by upsetting XSET in the upper bracket. FaZe would quickly find themselves with their backs against the walls, losing the first map, Fracture, 12–14. Then moving to Pearl, FaZe would go up 9–3 at half, winning 13–7 and sending the series to a decider, Ascent. In the decider, FaZe would begin 8–4, winning the first five rounds of the second half, taking Akumu down 13–4, and winning the series 2–1.

FaZe will open their Main Event run against Version1, which will mark the team’s first meeting.

Moist Moguls

The Ex-CLG Red squad had quite the week, tackling an Open Qualifier run alongside waves of uncertainty amidst the acquisition of CLG by NRG. As the CLG Red brand was dissolved in the wake of NRG’s purchase, the team, who had, only hours before, qualified for the Main Event, was suddenly without an organization.

The move sent ripples through the esports scene, reaching all the way to Mogul Moves. Ludwig Ahgren, hearing of their story, signed them for the remainder of Series 1, intending to help them find a long-term organization.

Moist Moguls swept through their group, defeating Succeed or Surrender and YFP White, both 2–0, to qualify into the double-elimination closed qualifier bracket. Needing to win two more matches to qualify, they first faced Nora’s Kitten Shelter, triumphing in a 2–0 fashion, without a member recording a negative K:D ratio.

They would then advance to face Complexity GX3. In their past three matchups, then-CLG Red had proven to be Complexity’s kryptonite, not giving up a map, let alone a series. They would continue their streak of victories against Complexity, as despite a 5–13 loss to open the series on Pearl, they would strike back with a 13–10 victory on Fracture and a 13–7 victory on Ascent.

They will open the Main Event with a rematch against Complexity GX3, riding a four-match win streak against their opponents.

Complexity GX3

Complexity GX3 has qualified for the Game Changers main event for the third time in a row, continuing their upward trajectory as a formidable team. In the Series 1 open qualifier, the team put up two quick 2–0’s in groups with a 13–0, 13–2 against ETERNAL and another 13–0, 13–2 against Teddy Tactics.

In the closed qualifier, Complexity started out strong with a 13–10, 13–10 victory over Overkill Black. However, in their qualifying match against CLG Red (now temporarily Moist Moguls RED), the team faltered, losing the series 1–2. They won the first map of Pearl 13–5, but lost the next two maps on Fracture and Ascent 10–13 and 7–13, respectively.

Dropped to the lower bracket of the closed qualifier, Complexity GX3 returned with a renewed confidence in their qualifying match against Team Karma. In this series, impressive performances from IGL L4CE and initiator Karra propelled the team to a 13–9, 13–7 victory.

Complexity will be raring to go in a highly anticipated rematch against Moist Moguls RED in the first round of the main event. In their history as a team, Complexity GX3 has never won against RED, the closest series so far being the 1–2 loss this past qualifier. With both teams looking stronger than ever, it will be interesting to see if Complexity can adjust quickly to finally overcome RED.

Shopify Rebellion

Shopify Rebellion has started the 2023 Game Changers Series 1 off and running looking stronger than ever. The team has yet to lose a single map in both the open and closed qualifier this past week and no team has been able to win over 10 rounds against this roster.

The roster made up of KP, Flowerful, Lorri, Sonder, and bENITA previously made it to the Game Changers Championship last fall where they lost in the grand finals to G2 Gozen. However, this roster has shown that they can be the best after writing, what some would say, is the best Game Changers storyline to date.

After consistently being number two in the North American Game Changers circuit last year, just under the previous Cloud 9 White roster, they definitely showed up in the Game Changers Championship by beating C9W for the first time and making it to the grand finals.

Unlike many of the other teams that we have seen make it to the most recent main event, this team has not undergone any roster changes since the Championship which puts them at a huge advantage in terms of team synergy. Shopify Rebellion is set to play XSET at 5 est tomorrow and if they move will play the winners of the EG vs. Misfits Black game.

XSET

Last week saw the debut of the newest squad to rep the set, as XSET’s new GameChangers squad took on the VCT GameChangers stage 1 open qualifier in North America, and things looked a bit different than most may have expected.

When the roster was announced, there was speculation that there could be cause for concern with the roles on the team, as the players on the roster didn’t really line up with the roles the team would need going into the event. However, this turned out not to be as much of a problem as it could have been, as XSET was able to qualify for the main event, granted with a few stumbles on the road there, dropping maps to both Having fun and Jenerators in the open and closed qualifiers, as well as being forced to qualify through the lower bracket as they suffered a loss to Akumu in their opening match in the closed qualifier in a close 1–2 affair.

Throughout the qualifying stages of the event, every player has had their chance to shine, but the former members of Cloud 9 White, Bob and Katsumi, have definitely shown that they’re still looking to be at the top of the leaderboard. So far this squad has established a very strong baseline, and will look to continue their momentum into the main event this week, so make sure you keep your eye out, and don’t forget to #reptheset.

Evil Geniuses

Evil Geniuses GC qualified for the main event in a clean upper bracket run, only losing a single map in the process. In the open qualifier, the team showed their dominance in a 13–0, 13–2 victory over ImPerium Vancuverii Nilus and a 13–5, 13–0 win over Disguised GC, two new and inexperienced teams. These performances earned the roster a bye in the first round of the closed qualifier.

In the upper round of 16, the team was finally tested by Jenerators, who put up a strong fight in the series. Evil Geniuses showed early signs of weakness on the first map of Split, losing it 13–5, but recovered to win Haven 13–5. In the decider on Ascent, the match came down to the wire in a nailbiter 15–13 win. In particular, the dynamic duo of flex player PowerPixele and duelist keenc, both recently acquired from Complexity GX3, made the difference in the end as their chemistry and fragging ability sealed the victory for the team. In their qualifying match against Akumu, the team looked to have regained their confidence, advancing to the main event with a convincing 13–2, 13–8 win.

In the first round of the main event, Evil Geniuses GC will face Misfits Black, a team that has also been putting out positive results in the last few months. In the 2022 Game Changers Series III, Evil Geniuses and Misfits faced off twice, battling in both the upper and lower brackets. In both instances, Misfits Black took the victory in a solid 2–0 series, with Evil Geniuses never winning more than six rounds. On Tuesday, Evil Geniuses will be hungry for revenge in hopes of continuing their winning streak.

Misfits Black

Misfits Black made it out of their group as the first seed, defeating omle dlrow 2–0 in the opening round, and taking down Jenerators in a close 2–0 victory. Advancing into the Closed Qualifier stage, they would face Team Karma, a team with which they are very familiar, as many of the players have deep connections with each other. Although Karma was able to put up a fight, Misfits would advance with a 2–1 victory.

In their first opportunity to qualify for the Main Event, Misfits would see a familiar face on the other side in former duelist florescent, now a part of Version1. The first map, Split would go 13–8 in favor of Version1, as they strung eight rounds in the middle of the map. Misfits would look to strike back on Haven, but as they faced a 3–9 deficit at the half, their upper bracket hopes would be on the infamous 9–3 curse. However, the curse failed to take effect, as Version1 shut down the Misfits, sending them to the lower bracket, 13–5, handing Misfits a 0–2 loss.

Following being sent to the lower bracket, Misfits would face REVIVAL in both team’s final opportunity to qualify to the Main Event. Misfits would open the match with a 13–5 victory on Pearl, going on a streak of eight rounds in a row, four to close the first half, and four to begin the second. The series, then shifting to Lotus, would come to a close as Misfits opened with four rounds in a row and ended with five, sending REVIVAL home with a 13–7 map win, and a 2–0 series victory.

Misfits Black will face Evil Geniuses in the first round of the Main Event, wherein they will write another chapter in their series, with EG currently ahead 4–3.

What next?

The Game Changers NA Series 1 Main Event will kick off at 2pm PST on April 11. The Main Event will pit the eight teams against each other in a double elimination bracket, with a total prize pool of $50,000 and 330 circuit points up for grabs.