The Chinese Dota 2 powerhouse Vici Gaming is making some changes to its squad with Yang and coach rOtK leaving the team. Could they be joining a brand-new team?
When we think of the Chinese Dota 2 scene there are a couple of big organizations that come to mind. Vici Gaming is definitely one of them, as the team often places at the top of regional leagues and competes at the highest level internationally.
Yang Leaves Vici Gaming
Yesterday Vici Gaming announced that their star offlaner Zhou "Yang" Haiyang is leaving the team.
Here’s also the full statement found on Twitter:
Today, we say goodbye to Yang.Yang’s contract with VG expires, September 1 2020. With respect to the individual wishes of each and every player and after an agreement between both sides, he will be leaving VG, becoming a free agent.Yang has been an integral part of VICI Gaming since 2015 and together we have developed a deep friendship and irreplaceable brotherhood. Yang began in VG.P, popped off in VG.R, reinvented himself in VGJ and then brought that experience and plenty more as a core member of VG.We have no doubt in our minds that Yang-God will achieve whatever he plans on doing next and we wish him to follow his path towards his dreams so valiantly.Thank you, Yang, for all of your contributions to Vici Gaming. No matter what, we’ve got your back!!
As VG themselves mention Yang has joined Vici Gaming in 2018 but has been with the organization since 2015. That’s quite a lot for Dota 2 and it no doubt comes as a shock for many Chinese fans.
VG Left Without a Coach
Just mere hours later, Vici Gaming confirmed the rumor that the team's coach Bai "rOtK" Fan is also parting ways with the organization.
rOtK is one of the more experienced players in the Chinese scene, having played for numerous successful teams like Team DK, EHOME, LGD, VG, VGJ, and others. He also served as a coach for Invictus Gaming and VGJ Thunder before joining Vici Gaming. The player’s biggest success came exactly with Vici Gaming when they finished second at The International 2014 losing only to Newbee. Many have even described rOtK as the face of Vici Gaming but it seems that will no longer be the case.
Where Are Yang and rOtK Going Next?
Are the two legendary players moving out together into a new team? There’s a high chance. We’ve already covered the possibility of a new superstar Chinese team. According to rumors, it’s 4AM which is short for 4 Angry Men, an organization popular in PUBG. The org is reportedly about to join the Dota 2 scene soon and we already have a good idea who might be on it. One of Hu "kaka" Liangzhi’s streams might have unintentionally revealed the full roster. Note that it’s still speculation at this point so take it with a grain of salt:
- Zhang "Eurus" Chengjun (aka Paparazi)
- Lu "Somnus丶M" Yao
- Zhou "Yang" Haiyang
- Xu "fy" Linsen
- Pan "Fade" Yi
- Yao "QQQ" Yi
Now that’s a really stacked team, but perhaps it’s safe to say that rOtK and Yang leaving at the same time is no coincidence. Maybe the former will be the coach in the potential new team instead of QQQQ, who’s still currently at Team Aster. Out of the six players listed Yang is the only one who’s currently a free agent. If Eurus is truly about to leave Vici Gaming then it’s weird he didn’t do it together with his teammates yesterday.
We’re very excited about the new star team rising in China! Are you? Share your opinion on our Facebook page!
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