OpTic Gaming Fortnite team disbands as remaining players released
North American esports organization OpTic Gaming have released the final two remaining players from their Fortnite roster, effectively taking the team out of another battle royale title, at least temporarily.
OpTic also disbanded their PUBG team in late 2018, retaining only one player, Michael ‘hypoc’ Robbins as a content creator.
The organization has now left a second battle royale game in as many months, releasing both Kenneth ‘Baldy’ Anderson and Stephen ‘Gunfly’ Brown.
Baldy and Gunfly had limited success as a duo partnership, placing 50th at the Fall Skirmish and then 38th at their most recent and possibly final tournament together, WSOE 3.
Gunfly joined the team in late September, replacing the outgoing Robert ‘WizKay’ Simone, and the young Gunfly was believed to be the next big prospect in competitive Fortnite.
On November 28, the other two players on the roster, Marco ‘Marz’ Soto and Dade ‘Dramas’ Lesch left, leaving on Gunfly and Baldy, but their time with the Greenwall has ended similarly.
I’ve officially parted ways with @OpTicGaming, left on good terms with no bad blood :heart:️, that being said I’ll be a F/A & looking for an organization to represent. 2019 will be the year.
RTs & Vouches will be appreciated.
— Gunfly (@Gunfly) January 12, 2019
Parted ways with @OpTicGaming. Huge thanks for everything they did for me :green_heart:. I’ll now be looking for a organization to represent for the fortnite competitive scene. RT’s appreciated.
— Kenneth (@OpTicBaldy) January 12, 2019
Following the players’ announcements, Kodiak, Esports director at OpTic parent company Infinite Esports, explained how the situation had unfolded.
We were approached by Kenneth (Baldy) and Stephen (Gunfly) and they made it clear to us they wanted to play with other duo partners. Being that we feel strongly about any competitive Fortnite players for OpTic playing as the same duo, we didn’t think it was fair to punish them or stand in the way of what they felt was best for their own success. Essentially giving them the option of staying as one duo or parting ways.
They decided to part ways, and we released them from their contracts on good terms all around. We really do wish them nothing but success and are thankful for their maturity and understanding.
He also briefly commented on the future plans of OpTic within Fortnite esports.
As for OpTic in competitive Fortnite, we will continue to keep a watch on the scene and rising talent, but for the time being will not have players rostered on a competitive team.
2019 is set to be a big year for Fortnite esports, at least in terms of prize money, with the long awaited Fortnite World Cup finally getting underway and a more robust in-game tournament structure announced.
In comparison to their rivals like FaZe Clan, TSM and Team Liquid, OpTic have struggled to hit the same heights of player popularity or tournament placings. They will presumably look for an opportunity back in to Fortnite, whereas a return to PUBG esports was all but ruled out.