Luminosity Gaming contracts expire

The roster formerly playing as Luminosity Gaming, which features long-standing talents such as enigma and Seagull, has opted not to renew their contracts with LG after they expired today. The team, which will compete for the moment as mixup, has not signed with a new organisation yet.

Since the beginning of the beta, the core of ex-Luminosity Gaming has been at the top of the scene. enigma, Seagull, and milo are now part of a roster that has been representing Luminosity for four months in their battles for podium finishes, alongside Gods and Pookz. The team has not had a complete roster for the last month of that time, since cutting their support Esper at the end of June.

mixup took longer than most to find a home during the initial phases of Overwatch, despite being reportedly courted by a range of organisations and having a huge streamer on the roster. In classically enigmatic fashion, when asked about the current situation, enigma stated:

Our contracts with LG expired August 1st and we've decided to mutually part ways with the organization.

The team has not indicated a move to any specific organisation, but the most likely candidate seems to be NRG. Shaquille O'Neal, legendary NBA player and investor in NRG, tweeted at the team through Seagull one week ago, hinting at a potential move. While it seems very unlikely that this was the beginning of their communication, it does appear to be a publicity move aimed to tease fans. While speculation abounds, the team and organisation have been tight-lipped outside this tweet.

Hey @A_Seagull and your @playoverwatch boys. Time to step it up to the @NRG.gg family. We would love to have you all on board.

Come on ova — SHAQ (@SHAQ) 24 July 2016

The team’s next tournament will be the ESL Atlantic Showdown North American Final Qualifiers, where the amended bracket sees them potentially fighting through Splyce, Fnatic, and Cloud9 for a place at Gamescom. The double-elimination qualifier will take place on August 3rd, with only four teams able to progress.

Former Luminosity’s most recent performance in the second Overwatch Open NA Qualifier saw them reach the Grand Finals, losing to Cloud9. In both qualifiers so far they have been knocked out by the eventual champions, but were helped along this time by Liquid’s disposal of TSM. If ex-LG can keep up the pace, they should be set to qualify in the next tournament, but they will face strong opposition from TSM and Liquid.

The victory over Liquid was particularly sweet for one: former Liquid player dummy, who left the team earlier this week and has been seen playing support in recent games with the rest of the mixup squad. He was not a signed member of Luminosity, but appears to have replaced indust for the moment. It remains to be seen whether the team plan to make him part of the roster for whichever organisation they join.