Forward Gaming closes company, cannot afford to continue

It’s been a good season thus far for Dota 2 team, Forward Gaming, but this may be where the team draws the short straw. David Dashtoyan, the CEO of Forward Gaming, announced yesterday that the company will cease all operations and release all current players, staff, and employees.

I regret to announce that Forward Gaming ceases to exist.

Read: https://t.co/uraZA6gDr6

— David Dashtoyan (@TheDashtoyan) July 21, 2019

“Due to insufficient financial results, we are unable to cover players’ salaries for July as well as $36,000 of players’ share of prize money (which was used to partly cover June’s salary),” David reported on the matter.

This stems from several months of financial difficulty and isn’t news for the team.

The company informed the team’s players about the situation back in June, giving them time to check options. Yesterday, Forward Gaming released the players’ contracts, marking them as free agents. 

Jack Chen, the Dota 2 team manager, says the team will stay intact for their upcoming performance at The International and is looking for a sponsor. Since the roster is guaranteed a minimum prize of $75,000 for placing last, the team will be acquired in no time.

Forward Gaming launched in September 2018 with their Dota 2 team soon showing big results. In just 10 months, Forward Gaming participated in three major competitions and many smaller tournaments; Escort Bamako.

The team recently qualified for The International 2019, arguably the largest competition series in Dota 2 and currently boasting a prize pool of $30 million. The Forward Gaming team will fight for victory on the group stage on August 15 in Shanghai.

Credit: Justin Amin