The final time Motive Gaming was at an EPIC.LAN was in 2017 at EPIC 21, headlined by Thomas “Thomas” Utting the crew positioned second dropping to Radix eSports within the finals.
The organisation left the UK CS house in 2017 – solely to make an look in 2020 for 2 months – however formally returned final yr with an NA roster. Nevertheless, on the finish of 2023, they dropped their North American crew and sailed throughout the pond again to UK CS.
The veteran organisation returned with veteran gamers and got here into EPIC.LAN 41 seeded #14th, then exceeded these expectations by inserting #twelfth.
For lots of the gamers, it was the primary time again to Kettering in years. Ben “Rezzed” Bignall had beforehand positioned high 4 with Bulldog and high six with Walter Walkers earlier than taking a four-year break. Now on his return, the veteran sits down with UKCSGO after EPIC.LAN 41 to speak about Motive’s efficiency, why he got here again to CS, and what it’s like enjoying for Motive Gaming.
Good to have you ever again within the UK scene. What was it like being again at LAN for the primary since 2019, and the way did it go for you?
First LAN in 4 years, it was an expertise, to say the least. I’ve by no means been to a LAN with two energy cuts [laughs], however we transfer previous it. The remainder of the LAN easily so credit score to the EPIC workers and the crew behind that.
It was enjoyable, the actual fact I went with three of my greatest mates I’ve performed the sport with. I believe the outcome wasn’t there for us personally, we anticipated higher however we are going to get there subsequent time.
You clearly performed fairly just a few LANs pre covid. Are there any variations you noticed?
Watching individuals play primarily. Earlier than I’d spectate individuals extra to cross the time, however now I’m really enjoying and understanding what they’re doing, making an attempt to take issues again to my crew so we will enhance.
You used to make excessive placements at LAN, is it unusual coming again and restarting after you took a break?
I took a break for 4 years and began full-time work a yr after I finished enjoying full-time CS. I didn’t actually look again at coming again into CS. On the finish of final yr, I had a while free and thought why not, let’s give it one other go.
The LAN placement is a bit disheartening however we are going to transfer ahead. Byfield and I are actually skilled gamers and we are going to use this as a studying expertise. Now it’s time to get higher as time goes on.
Taking a look at why you took day trip, why did you step away from enjoying Counter-Strike?
I used to be enjoying a lot CS on the time, I’d get up within the morning and I simply didn’t wish to do it anymore. I fell out of affection with the sport. Being as passionate as I’ve been with Counter-Strike and as I’m with the sport now, not having that didn’t give me any drive to play. I felt remoted within the scene and thought there was no higher time to cease enjoying now. I had my run and it was a superb time.
I used to be enjoying a lot CS on the time, I’d get up within the morning and I simply didn’t wish to do it anymore. I fell out of affection with the sport.
I genuinely didn’t ever assume I’d play once more.
Byfield celebrating after a spherical win
What’s the motive you could have come again?
The principle motive I’ve determined to come back again is that I’ve missed competing and enjoying CS on the whole. On high of that, this mission I get to play with two of my oldest standing teammates in cJe and FinCHy. These are childhood pals of mine.
Alongside that, Byfield is one among if not essentially the most decided gamers to make it within the scene. And at last, our coach Monsa is continuous serving to us to enhance giving us his full help.
So did this roster revolve round FincHY, cJe and also you?
I wouldn’t say the roster revolved round anybody particularly. Byfield and FincHY had been the 2 who spearheaded the concept. Initially we had a Danish participant, however he obtained a suggestion he couldn’t refuse which then led to us going LF1. After we performed with Cha0s it simply felt like essentially the most pure match and determined to select him up three weeks earlier than LAN.
How has it going with this new roster and your return to CS?
Utterly totally different sport for one. I by no means felt extra like a noob to begin with. I genuinely felt like I used to be enjoying an entire totally different sport. It was very attention-grabbing.
Teen Cha0s enjoying for Motive Gaming at EPIC.LAN 41
I really feel like I get there and again in control. Our apply goes rather well. We simply battle to translate that to officers. On the minute that’s one thing now we have to look into and get previous, whether or not it [is] a psychological block or extra time.
I assume you dedicated numerous time beforehand, however now that you’re working full time how are you balancing the 2?
It’s onerous. It is rather totally different to earlier than in my earlier state of affairs after I may play CS as a lot as I may.
I genuinely have a hearth in my stomach with this crew.
Hats off to all people who does it or anybody who does a guide labour job like I do and performs CS in all their spare time. It’s so draining. The love for the sport drives me, I genuinely have a hearth in my stomach with this crew. I believe no matter we do we will genuinely make it someplace.
Discuss to me about Byfield. We had been talking earlier than concerning the work that he places in. What’s it like enjoying below him as an IGL?
Comic story with Byfield being the IGL. He’s our CT IGL now. cJe is now our primary IGL as a result of one thing wasn’t clicking when the roster first began with Byfield calling on the T facet. It felt like he was out of the sport generally. We determined to make that change there after which after we fashioned the crew with Cha0s.
FincHY might be among the finest uncooked aimers I’ve ever performed with. His mechanical ability is off the charts.
FincHY might be among the finest uncooked aimers I’ve ever performed with. His mechanical ability is off the charts. Byfield is the toughest employee I’ve ever performed with. All he does is play or take into consideration CS. cJe is simply calm-headed, nicely generally hot-headed, however principally calm and is a powerful voice to have on the crew to provide course.
cJe- the brand new IGL of Motive Gaming
Adrian [Cha0s] is the younger gun of the crew. He’s 20 however nonetheless the youngest on our roster and he brings numerous firepower to the crew and a glance of CS that we didn’t actually have earlier than.
What are your expectations for the crew, and do any of these change since you are enjoying below a reputation like Motive Gaming?
Sure and no. Clearly, all of us would wish to be a top-six UK crew inside the subsequent 6-12 months. Whether or not or not that occurs is one other story.
I don’t assume Motive has performed an excessive amount of on our expectations. They’ve been actually supportive of every little thing thus far. Motive has been nothing however assist to us.
FincHY returning to EPIC.LAN after three years.
How does it really feel to play on this historic organisation?
It’s a dream. That can also be one other massive driving issue to why we put a lot time into CS. The very fact we’re enjoying for Motive is why a few of us put in all our spare time after we get dwelling from work.
