Invictus Gaming CEO commented situation with COVID-19 at The International 10

After all the years working in iG, i believe this actually is the first time feeling so helpless and powerless. Ever since the first covid news spread out for Ti10, just like many other fans, we have been closely following and concerning every update from Bucharest.

As one of the biggest esports events in the world, many fans are expressing their frustration toward different parties. First of all, I would like to point out that no one would ever want to see cross infection happen in the hotel before the event started. We shouldn’t criticize or just put blames on someone as it will not help the current situation. We just want to find the best solutions peacefully to resolve and prevent anything from getting even worse.

When JT- positive PCR test results came in, we first made sure everyone’s health condition and kept posted with the latest update. Once we are clear with the situation, we then immediately attempt to make contact with PGL and Valve hoping to understand their opinions and possible solutions to resolve the situation. We really hope all players and related staff are able to continue participating in the event healthily with covid safe protection.

We have sent an email to Valve on the night of 30th to follow up on suggested solutions and concerns that we believe are practical and important. We asked if the affected players are allowed to compete in an isolated room with internet and camera, or if they can rejoin the event once they become negative from the later test. We also provided a bit of advice on covid control measures.

Yet, we still have not received any reply or practical information on the next steps from Valve.

In the email, we have cc all the contact from valve such as player administration, major and dpc contact. Not being funny or anything, we even cc Gaben as well, as we were very shocked by the current circumstance.

Season after season, time really flies by. But if we take a look back, it was a hell of long journey for us and we all have been looking forward to this Ti so much. On the day of JT- got tested positive, Emo has shared a wechat moment with the caption ‘ “Necro” is spreading” followed by a picture Necrophos is ulting. This is a true FeelsBadMan and sadge moment.

Looking back at the past 3 years, we started from the rock bottom where we almost restructured a brand new team. With so much hard work and effort, the team has adapted and got better together and qualified for Ti. Then Ti got cancelled and we hit a slump shortly after. We managed to adjust ourselves and got back to our form, made it to Major champion and finally qualified this Ti, again. During this time, everyone was scriming remotely with Oli and finally got together in person. The journey we had gone through was no doubt challenging and difficult, it wasn’t something as easy as just time elapsing. Our players are relatively shy and simple, the team as a whole has been relatively low profile. But if we look back from where it began and to now, it is a rather wholesome and wonderful story. Everyone has put in so much effort, there is no way we will back down from the very last step of Ti10 and be left with only disappointment.

I believe when Ti was announced to be held in Bucharest, the local covid situation was relatively stable and within control. We could see from the record statistics that Romania has maintained a relatively safe position with a small number of daily new cases in June and July. However, there was a rapid increase in September and what we are dealing with right now could be the new peak. This circumstance presented a much bigger threat and challenge to everyone involved in Ti10. We can only do what we could do as a team. We hope with the better conditions and recovery from the players, iG can still be part of Ti10.

At last, we hope this Ti10 will be hosted successfully in a safe, healthy and protective environment with no regrets.