In a surprising turn of events, Nigma Galaxy has shockingly withdrawn from the highly anticipated Games of the Future 2024 tournament set to take place in Kazan, Russia, on February 19. Stepping up to fill the void left by Nigma Galaxy, tournament organizers swiftly tapped Geek Fam as their replacement.
Geek Fam, the final team to secure an invitation, now finds themselves in Group C alongside Liga Team, Xtreme Gaming, and Boom Esports, the latter now representing the South American region. While no lineup changes are on the horizon for Geek Fam, they are on the hunt for a head coach ahead of the tournament kick-off.
As of the latest update, Nigma Galaxy remains mum regarding the reasons behind their sudden withdrawal. Intriguingly, Geek Fam’s social media channels have also been silent regarding their invitation to the Russian event, with the only official announcement coming from the GoF organizers, slipping under the radar of many.
With little details available, the Dota 2 community is abuzz with speculation. Many believe the decision to withdraw stems from mounting pressure within the gaming circles of Europe and North America, who have condemned the GoF 2024 event and its participants. Criticism has particularly surged regarding the tournament’s ties to the Russian government amidst the persistent Russia-Ukraine conflict, with many labelling it as an insensitive move.
Beyond professional circles, serious threats have emerged, with certain individuals threatening to expose the personal data of all GoF participants to European authorities. Such a move could potentially bar them from future tournaments within the region.
Given Nigma Galaxy’s big fanbase in Europe, the organization’s withdrawal seems to be a strategic move to safeguard its reputation amidst a brewing controversy. However, this decision has ignited a fierce debate within the international Dota 2 community, questioning the intrusion of political stuff into the esports scene.
