NRG Returns to Competitive Apex Legends Scene
NRG, a pioneering organization in the world of competitive Apex Legends, has made a triumphant return to the North American esports scene. After a hiatus of over six months, NRG has assembled a formidable roster of free agents in preparation for the upcoming Split Two regular season.
NRG X Roster Announcement
The official NRG X Twitter account revealed the new roster on May 30. The lineup includes Brandon “oh Nocturnal” Singer, Ryan “Reptar” Boyd, Brandon “FunFPS” Groombridge, and coach Haris “hodsic” Hodzic. Nocturnal, FunFPS, and hodsic were previously part of the XSET roster that fell short in the Split One Playoffs. Analyst Sovereign has also joined the team as the latest addition.
A Look Back at XSET’s Legacy
Despite a disappointing performance in Split One, XSET’s core duo, Nocturnal and FunFPS, boasts an impressive track record in North America. Their achievements include winning the 2023 Split Two NA Pro League title and qualifying for five consecutive LAN events starting in 2022.
The Evolution of NRG’s Apex Legends Division
NRG’s previous roster had a successful run in 2023, finishing second in the Split One Playoffs, 11th in Split Two, and 15th in the Championship. However, the organization made a significant decision to disband its Apex Legends division on September 23, 2023, releasing the entire competitive team and content creators.
NRG Jaime, the chief gaming officer at NRG, elaborated on the reasons behind the organization’s exit from Apex, citing a lack of support between Pro League teams and EA. This ongoing issue prompted several organizations worldwide to withdraw from the competitive scene.
A New Era for Apex Legends Esports
Acknowledging the concerns raised by teams, Respawn and EA introduced Year Four partnered teams, offering financial incentives, media training, enhanced team facilities, and official community tournaments. This initiative enticed former participants like Cloud9 and Spacestation Gaming to make a comeback to the Apex competitive landscape.
Furthermore, the upcoming Esports World Cup has further incentivized organizations to invest in free agents and rosters, with a staggering two million dollar prize pool up for grabs. The newly-formed NRG roster, formerly known as Ex-SET, secured a spot at the LAN event after dominating the NA qualifiers. Fans can catch NRG in action during their Split Two debut on June 1 and at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh from July 31 to August 4.