ROCCAT is gone; former EU LCS org disappears after being absorbed by its parent company
One of Europe’s most historic League of Legends orgs is no more
One of Europe’s most historic League of Legends orgs is no more. ROCCAT, who fielded a League of Legends team for 5 consecutive years in the EU LCS, have been absorbed by their parent company: Turtle Beach.
ROCCAT were founded in 2007 and joined the League of Legends scene in 2014. They picked up the roster of Kiedys Mialem, a Polish team that had just qualified to the EU LCS. They rebranded to Team ROCCAT and made their debut on the 14th of January, a victory over SUPA HOT CREW for the 1st round of the EU LCS 2014 Spring Split.
Team ROCCAT’s first split would prove to be their most successful one. After 4th place with a 15-13 record in the regular season, they finished 3rd in the playoffs. Then, in the 2014 Summer Split, they finished 4th; being just 1 game away from qualifying to Worlds as they lost 3-2 to Fnatic in the semifinals.
Team ROCCAT’s stability in the EU LCS was shaken on the 28th of March 2018, when it was announced that the EU LCS would be franchised. Rather than earn a spot through their results in the league’s games, orgs would now be selected as permanent partners by Riot Games.
On the 18th of August, Team ROCCAT played its final game; a victory over Misfits Gaming. They finished 7th in the 2018 EU LCS Summer Split, tied with the Unicorns of Love. Team ROCCAT’s demise was officially confirmed on the 14th of November, as ROCCAT announced that they wouldn’t take part in 2019’s franchised EU LCS. With 10 splits, Team ROCCAT is second only to Fnatic in pre-franchising EU LCS appearances.
The most notable player to play for Team ROCCAT was jungler Jankos, making his EU LCS debut there at 18 years old and staying for 2 years (2014-2015). Since leaving Team ROCCAT, Jankos has won 5 LEC titles, 1 Mid-Season Invitational, and 2 LEC MVP awards.
Early into the next year, ROCCAT as a whole was acquired by Turtle Beach, a gaming accesory manufacturing company from the United States of America. And now, 5 years later, Turtle Beach have retired the ROCCAT brand; ROCCAT is officially no more.
Sources:
ROCCAT FAQ on turtlebeach.com
Farewell LCS by ROCCAT on youtube.com
ROCCAT About Us on roccat-usa.myshopify.com
LCS 2014 EU Spring W1D1 by LoL Esports on youtube.com
Franchising confirmed for the EU LCS in 2019 by Callum Leslie on dotesports.com
Team ROCCAT’s video on facebook.com (archived)
G2 vs. ROC - Week 1 Day 1 | EU LCS Summer Split | G2 Esports vs. Team Roccat (2018) by LoL Esports on youtube.com
Turtle Beach Acquires ROCCAT: a New Gaming Peripherals Giant Is Born by Anton Shilov on anandtech.com