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| NRG Leaves Apex Legends and Accuses EA of Lack of Esports Support |
After half a decade of active participation in the competitive landscape of Apex Legends, which saw several streamers and professional players affiliated with the organization, NRG has made the decision to withdraw from the esports scene surrounding the game. The organization has formally released its roster of players associated with its ALGS (Apex Legends Global Series) squad and had previously severed ties with many Apex Legends content creators a few months back.
One of the primary reasons cited by NRG for their exit from the Apex Legends esports arena is the perceived lack of support from Electronic Arts (EA) and Respawn Entertainment, the developers behind the game. Jaime Cohenca, the Chief Gaming Officer at NRG Esports, shared this sentiment on social media, stating, “With the release of our team, I can also confirm that NRG will not be fielding a roster for ALGS going forward. We feel EA/Respawn have not done enough to support orgs and made the tough call to take a step back.”
Throughout its tenure in the Apex Legends Battle Royale title, NRG had not managed to secure any S-Tier championship titles but consistently performed well, achieving top-15 placements in various events. Their highest accolade came in the form of a second-place finish in the 2023 Split 1 Playoff.
NRG's decision to exit Apex Legends aligns with a broader trend in the esports community, with several other prominent organizations also bidding farewell to the game. Cloud9, G2 Esports, and Team Liquid are among those that have departed from Apex Legends this year. This exodus is partly attributed to economic challenges faced by the esports industry, exacerbated by EA's purported reluctance to provide organizations with revenue opportunities through in-game cosmetic sales.
A report from Digiday revealed that EA and Respawn had abandoned plans for revenue sharing with organizations concerning in-game item sales, even after engaging with 20 different teams. Allegedly, EA offered teams a flat $60,000 licensing fee, leading to dissatisfaction among some organizations. They responded with a counter-proposal, which was ultimately rejected by the company. Subsequently, many of these organizations disbanded their ALGS squads and withdrew from competitive play.
In light of NRG's departure, Christopher 'sweetdreams' Sexton, a longtime NRG player, took to social media to announce the organization's exit from the Apex Legends scene. He assured fans that the squad would continue competing in Year 4 of the ALGS, but stopped short of making any commitments regarding the team's composition, leaving open the possibility of changes.
While NRG's exit from Apex Legends marks a somber moment for the esports community surrounding the game, it also raises questions about the challenges faced by organizations in the ever-evolving landscape of competitive gaming. Nevertheless, sweetdreams expressed optimism about finding a new esports home and contributing to the realization of Apex Legends' untapped potential.
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