Sandrock Gaming has long been a team plagued by administrative woes and unfortunate circumstances. Of course, recently memorable happenings include Senzo’s leaving of the team due to wifi issues at home. Although Sandrock ended that ordeal on the brighter side of things – acquiring trk511 who turned out to be one of the best talents in the Middle East – they faced adversity again in the leadup to the RLCS 2021-22 Winter Split Major. See below for details…
The deflating news doesn’t stop there as the CEO and Founder of Sandrock Gaming, INCIVIK, announced on March 22nd that he would be stepping down. For those who may not follow the ME region, INCIVIK was monumental in providing Middle Eastern Rocket League players with a cadre of opportunities to play with one another before standardized RLCS seasons were brought to the region. He hosted and organized tournaments while overseeing one of the greatest rocket league teams the world has ever seen.
It is with this universally lauded resume that INCIVIK leaves the scene; he was a pioneer for minor regions, and an essential member of the rocket league family. While his absence will surely be felt by everyone in the rocket league community, those with the greatest heartbreak are likely the players whose lives he changed by simply being dedicated to the Esport.
Upon allowance of the Middle East and North Africa into the RLCS, not only did we see their depth increase tenfold, but we saw this minor region put up a fight and take top 8 in the 2021-2022 Fall Major. We can largely thank INCIVIK’s individual efforts within the rocket league community and around his own region for this never-before-seen representation on the world stage.
Our mission at SRG was to put MENA on the map, we did that and I couldn’t be prouder of the boys. With that being said, i’m stepping down as CEO of the org. Good luck on your future endeavours, you’re this country’s pride and joy ?
— INCIVIK (@incivik) March 22, 2022
Following INCIVIK’s untimely departure, Sandrock Gaming released their roster of Ahmad, oKhaliD, and trk511. So at this point, it seems like Sandrock are imploding worse than a blog writer who went to the Winter Major and planned to write down a bunch of notes but got a little tipsy and also forgot a notebook. Why? Well INCIVIK posted the statement below…
What could this mean? It’s really hard to tell and appears to bring up more questions than it answers. While it is hinted that a lack of commitment from the players or their families inflamed the situation, it is also stated the teammates do not wish to work with any other management team other than INCIVIK’s. This is despite previously having the option to (and likely still have the option to) enter into EU’s RLCS for a chance at more money and greater prestige.
As alluded to, this is not the first time Sandrock have displayed a disconnect between management and players. Family values are given a much higher priority in the Middle East, this could play a role. In preparation for this possibility, INCIVIK stated that he did not put the players under contract to account for any discrepancies that may emerge in the future. Yet problems still arose, enough so to end Sandrocks historic’s run in the RLCS.
Although the name Sandrock will be relegated to archives of Rocket League past, the players themselves will not meet such a boring and unearned demise. Former Top 5 MENA team the Falcons have officially secured the new roster (despite it being announced on April 1st… always sketchy) and released their old squad of Smw., Twiz (I bet you’ll be seeing more of this guy in the future, dude’s a superstar), and ironically, former Sandrock sub, Senzo. Now you might be asking, if they were already Top 5, arguably Top 3, why switch?
Well, only one team gets to represent MENA on the national stage, and receive with it the praise and glory that comes from worldwide recognition. The former Sandrock team has displayed a legacy of domination, the Falcons Esport organization is hoping to tap into that potential for more brand recognition and higher earnings (RIP Moist Esports, you gave it your best shot, I hope you acquire a team in the future that would be awesome).
Their journey continues as Falcons.
— Team Falcons (@FalconsEsport) April 1, 2022
رحبوا معنا بالفريق العالمي المُمثل لفالكونز في لعبة روكيت ليق: @AhmadRL_@oNzxwi@Trk511__
#FalconsAreHere pic.twitter.com/sgL0Y1OYcq
The previous Falcons roster has now revived the old/new team, EMPTY, and will be competing under this name in the coming Spring Split. I expect they will continue to give the former Sandrock roster a hard time, each player has the mechanics and playmaking ability to carry their teammates to victory (especially Senzo, the guy stays being underrated).
Despite previous frustrations, it is clear INCIVIK has no ill will, and replied to the good news with love.
TLDR: Bye INCIVIK, Bye Sandrock, Bye Falcons, Hello Falcons (but secretly Sandrock), Hello EMPTY (but secretly Falcons)
If you want to find out more about the spring split, check this page out for in-depth details and my misguided opinions.