Introduction The conclusion of the RMR tournaments has now led to the triumphant return of international competition at IEM Summer. Thrilling storylines continue to develop as Europe and North America reengage with the ever-looming CIS bosses once more. An added wrinkle in the arrival of Ancient leaves fans and analysts waiting in bated breath to… Read More »IEM Summer 2021 Preview
Introduction The North American scene has seen a dramatic change in the last few years for varying reasons. Some of these reasons are out of the continent’s hands with the COVID-19 pandemic, but other reasons come from the engrained lifestyle the NA scene has cultivated over the past 5 years, which has led to… Read More »State of North American Counter-Strike: A Think Piece
Introduction With ESL Pro League and the BLAST Showdown in the rearview mirror, the world watches as the latest iteration of the DreamHack Masters series provides the stage for rising stars to cement their legacy among the world’s best, legends of the game to reclaim their former glory, and underdogs to crash the CS:GO… Read More »DreamHack Masters Spring 2021 Preview – Cementing a Legacy
Introduction Welcome to Rank Check, my monthly perspective on the CS:GO scene where I rank and discuss the triumphs and setbacks of the top 10 teams in the world. These rankings will be based upon three factors: overarching form of the last month, roster moves, and the difficulty of each tournament the month had… Read More »Paladin’s Rank Check: March 2021
Introduction The group stage has come and gone. Dust settled and minds reset, the playoffs are now upon us. From the CIS uprising to legacies ready to be compounded upon, the Katowice 2021 playoffs lay teeming with storylines rearing to converge to a climactic hurrah. This week, I take a look at four storylines… Read More »Four Storylines Converging at the IEM Katowice 2021 Playoffs