MOUZ Ceases VALORANT Play, Has Issues With VCT Structure

MOUZ X Statement

MOUZ released a statement on X, which read as follows:

"We have made the decision to not continue VALORANT.

"The current VCT format does not align with our ambition as a team, and we do not see a place for us in the current ecosystem.

"We want to sincerely thank our partners, players and coaches for their support and dedication to our VALORANT journey in the last three years."

More on VCT and Tier 2

In their statement, MOUZ didn't elaborate on what they meant by "current VCT format does not align with our ambition as a team," but there have been other teams not re-upping with VALORANT under the current system.

For example, TSM, an esports organization from North America, decided to exit after their Ascension Grand Finals run.

“Throughout the last three years, we have continuously navigated the Challengers circuit in the hopes of finally reaching Tier 1,” TSM said. “Now, after half a decade in VALORANT, we plan on exiting the space.”

MOUZ primarily competed in the DACH Challengers circuit and were regularly contenders for Ascension qualification.

However, despite taking a win at VALORANT Challengers 2024 DACH: Evolution Split 2 and qualifying for VCT Ascension EMEA 2024, MOUZ wasn't promoted. The Ascension run concluded with a subpar finish, which highlighted the narrow margins and increased risk involved in reaching tier one.

Under the current VCT model, there aren't many prize pools, short windows of competition, and just one promotion route through Ascension. Thus, organizations are forced to make investments, but there are no guarantees of any long-term stability or revenue-sharing unless a promotion happens.

Riot Games, the VALORANT developer, has attempted to help address organizational stability, including allowing betting sponsorships in a June announcement.

Fan Reaction

In response to their statement on X, here's what fans had to say:

"Thank you all for your dedication in the past years and the many beautiful moments that we were able to experience with you in Hamburg," Headshinsky, a VALORANT caster, wrote.

"Great descision. Valorant isn't even becomming history like CS:CZ. No one will remember this game in 50 years. Meanwhile Counter-Strike has become olympic," a fan wrote.

"Can someone explain me in football terms, what happened with the new tournament system?" one fan also said.

In response to that, someone else had this to say, regarding the current system and their view of it:

"You are in the second division and can qualify for the relegation by winning your league. If you win your relegation match you will get promoted to the first division. If you don't immediately qualify for the champion league in the next season you will automatically have to play for your spot in a relegation match against the teams from the second division. The teams in the first division have a contract with riot that they are not able to get relegated. Next year those contracts expire and the teams have to sign a new one or maybe they are switching teams. That means that this year you cannot get promoted into the first division. But by winning the national cup you can qualify for the champions League and get crushed,"

German Esports Squad MOUZ Ceases VALORANT Play, Has Issues With VCT

MOUZ X Statement

More on VCT and Tier 2

Fan Reaction