Endpoint has been a staple of UK CS for years, no matter how doom and gloom it looked Endpoint was there to save the day. However as of today the British organisation has moved their roster to the bench with immediate effect. All five players are available with no buyout.
It is no surprise that the newest edition of Endpoint hasn’t been performing to the standard the organisation requires. Since the addition of Jan “cej0t” Dyl and Joey “CRUC1AL” Steusel Endpoint hasn’t had any continuous success. The peak of their success came in September when they had a good run of form placing second in the Hellcase Cup 10 followed by deep playoff runs in three CCTs back to back.
This success correlated with the addition of their newest coach Petar “HOLMES” Dimitrijević. Under his gaze, the roster saw its only real tangible success in 2024. Unfortunately, he chose not to stay on after three months.
In a statement from COO and CEO Peter Thompson and Adam Jessop, they confirm that such performances were one reason behind the decision:
There is no denying that the current iteration of our Counter Strike department has not been performing as we, or the players themselves expect. Alongside this, the landscape of Counter-Strike has changed dramatically. So whilst we still retain the goal of making the major, with our recent form and the changes to the invitation process, that goal is now probably the furthest away that it has ever been.
Endpoint touches on a point that many organisations have visited within the last year: the VRS ranking. As they mention, it is virtually impossible to improve a low rank. Previously, Endpoint would have had access to ESL Pro League through ESL Premiership, but that is not the case anymore. Getting out of UKCS is arguably the hardest it has ever been due to the VRS ranking and regional qualifiers. Even Endpoint is affected.
AZUWU playing for Endpoint at ESL Premiership Autumn 2023
The organisation also mentions the difficulty of making the Major in this landscape. Making the Major is a top priority for the majority of organisations because of the massive financial gain. However, the new VRS system – combined with Endpoint’s poor results towards the end of last year – has created a “catch-22” situation:
The VRS system means that when starting from a low ranking, the struggle to improve that ranking is compounded by the fact that any VRS eligible events are invite only, based on the very VRS rank you are trying to improve. This in turn creates a much smaller and internal eco-system, and unfortunately means that the costs incurred compared to revenue (or potential of) just becomes too great a risk to the wider company.
The good news for UKCS is that “this is a pause not a goodbye”. Endpoint will not close the door on Counter-Strike as they will continue to support UKIC and by extension domestic grassroots esports, benefiting the wider UK Counter-Strike scene.
Esports is key to Endpoint’s roots and a key part of our future. That will never change.
The timing does come as a big surprise as in an interview conducted by Dom Sacco with Peter Thompson and Adam Jessop they talked about finding a new coach and setting rules for what they expect and what the players expect. Showing that they wanted this roster to work. It was clear that a change was probably going to happen but seeing the whole team being dropped is very unexpected and a big blow to UK CS on an international stage. Regardless, they both continuously reiterate their commitment to Counter-Strike.
Adam Jessop spoke on Endpoint turning a lot of their focus in 2024 towards UKIC which saw 93 teams compete throughout all of their leagues and cited that perhaps they didn’t pay enough attention to the main team and “missed some obvious issues”.
Endpoint has a proud legacy within Counter-Strike competing at RMRs and two seasons of ESL Pro League. They have caused some serious upsets and developed some of the biggest names in CS right now. Through the input of Max “MiGHTYMAX” Heath and Kia “Surreal” Man Endpoint has developed the likes of Shahar “flameZ” Shushan, Guy “NertZ” Iluz and Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko, but for now the organisation is choosing to take a different approach.
HeavyGod playing for Endpoint at ESL Premiership Autumn 2023
With the benching of the whole team, it ends the four years legacy players MiGHTYMAX and Surreal have played for Endpoint. MiGHTYMAX has represented Endpoint since 2016, and aside from a few months in 2019, he has been a staple for Endpoint but now has to look for new opportunities.
Endpoint is transfer listing all of their players:
Max “MiGHTYMAX” Heath
Kia “Surreal” Man
Oscar “AZUWU” Bell
Jan “cej0t” Dyl
Joey “CRUC1AL” Steusel
Neil “Neil_M” Murphy (manager and interim coach)
Today we are placing our Counter-Strike division on hold with immediate effect.
Our full statement pic.twitter.com/2wvxCLNRPH
— Endpoint CeX (@TeamEndpoint) February 4, 2025
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