Saudi-backed organization Team Falcons has made significant inroads into another esport by acquiring the superstar Apex Legends squad, DarkZero. The Australian duo Genburten and Zer0 have joined forces with TSM’s ImperialHal, forming a formidable trio ready to compete in ALGS NA Split Two and beyond.
A New Era for Team Falcons
On May 28, Team Falcons announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter) their acquisition of DarkZero’s top players, Genburten and Zer0. The pair linked up with TSM’s ImperialHal before the buyout, creating a new super team set to don the black-and-green for ALGS NA Split Two and upcoming competitions.
This high-profile acquisition comes just days before ALGS Split Two and two months before the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although the team has yet to debut with their new member ImperialHal, they will continue to call North America home in the meantime.
DarkZero’s Farewell and Restructuring
DarkZero has released substitute Sikezz, coach zz, and analyst Privacy as part of their restructuring. The organization expressed gratitude to Genburten and Zer0 for their contributions over the past two years.
“Thank you Zer0 and Genburten for an incredible past two years, you have impacted DarkZero forever,” said the org. “There will never be enough words to describe how much you both mean to us. No matter where you go, we will always be rooting for you.”
Genburten and Zer0 originally joined DarkZero from Reignite, alongside now-former teammate Sharky. Their time at DarkZero was marked by significant achievements, including a monumental victory at the ALGS 2022 Championship, a 2023 Split Two Playoffs win, and a second-place finish at the Los Angeles Split One Playoffs earlier this month.
Team Falcons’ Growing Influence in Esports
Team Falcons, a Saudi Arabian organization, has shown significant interest in top esports titles such as Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. Their move into Apex Legends is part of a broader strategy ahead of the Esports World Cup, which will be held in Riyadh later this year.
Many gaming fans and analysts have compared Falcons’ expansion into esports to “sportswashing,” a tactic where an organization or country attempts to improve its image through heavy investments in sports and entertainment. While the backers of Team Falcons have not been formally announced, it is widely believed that they have connections with the Saudi royal family.
Upcoming Debuts and Expectations
Falcons Apex is set to make its debut on June 1 at ALGS Split Two, with a LAN appearance scheduled for the Esports World Cup in Riyadh in July. The combination of ImperialHal, Genburten, and Zer0 is expected to bring a new level of excitement and competition to the Apex Legends scene.
Conclusion
The formation of this new super team marks a significant shift in the Apex Legends competitive landscape. With ImperialHal, Genburten, and Zer0 now united under Team Falcons, the upcoming ALGS Split Two and Esports World Cup promise to be thrilling events.
Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see how this powerhouse trio performs on the big stage.
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