VTGaming's Surprise Announcement

It was a surprise to me when someone directed me to a thread in the Team Liquid forums that announced VT Reign.

There were already 30 pages and I read every single one of them. Most were to congratulate VTGaming. But there were others asking what's going to happen to the old team? Yeah, that was my initial response.

Granted the "old" VT team didn't do well at MLG, but putting together a new team doesn't happen overnight - especially when you're setting up a pro house in California. So, this has been in the works for a while.

A few current VT members wrote their thoughts in the thread and received responses like, "You sound bitter." Ummm....excuse me, but can you blame them? Not sure when the old members were told about the new team and pro house, but what a frickin slap in the face. "Hey, guys VT is getting a pro house...only we're getting a new team, too." That's like telling these guys that worked long and hard for VT that they're just not good enough.

Players were assured that VT would continue to exist. Call me cynical, but I understand all too well how business works and I know the corporate mentality. The underlying message is, if you want to find a new team (hint hint) it's okay with us, (because sooner or later we're gonna get rid of all of you) but rest assured you will all still be a part of VTGaming.(Do you think they bought it?)

Sponsorship for a relatively new concept, such as e-sports, is hard to come by. Yes, Starcraft is growing and is more visible to the general public, but one thing is for certain - no one is going to back a losing team. And why, if VT is recruiting top names for their "new" team, would they support the old VT players?

I've seen things like this happen before during reorganizations of a company. Employees sense the doom, but CEOs keep telling them, "Don't worry, we're not getting rid of you." And then the ax is dropped on the first person. Again, the head of the corporation reassures everyone else that they're jobs are secure. But when the next person is axed, you gotta start wondering if someone isn't trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

It's corporate double talk to avoid dissension amongst employees. After all, they don't want everyone walking, before the company gets a routine going. Oh well, whatever!

Intuition and common sense tells me that the old VT team will fade away when Reign starts to shine; unless VT has funds to spare, which is highly unlikely. VT's funds and attention will be devoted to the new team so, if the players of the old team think "Everything is going to stay the same" I think they're in for a rude awaking.

Of course, I hope I'm just being overly cynical, but I think not.

And that's life without the fantasies.