RpK on G2’s new style: ”We didn’t fully agree with Ex6TenZs approach to the game”
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In a twist of faith, Cédric ”RpK” Guipouy were pulled back into professional CS:GO following Hovik ”KQLY” Tovmassians infamous vac ban.
Today he’s the longest standing member of the very same team, that’s looking stronger than ever going into the second major of 2016.
– We all feel more comfortable and we were able to show it at the ECS Finals. Now we have to cement our position, RpK says to Aftonbladet Esport.
G2 Esports French rifler, Cédric ”RpK” Guipouy, is no stranger to Counter-Strike. Ever since starting his professional CS: Source career back in 2007, he’s been part of several of the greatest teams in France. Shortly after the release of CS:GO however, the star was forced to retire from the game he loved – and in doing so leaving the team he’d been a part of for years, VeryGames.
– Financially it was too hard for me to play so much without any real compensation, RpK says to Aftonbladet Esport on the subject. He continues:
– I created a firm with my father, related to my other passion, which is auto mechanic.
His former team mates found themselves in a French shuffle – leading to the formation of a new Titan. However, when Hovik ”KQLY” Tovmassians only a few months later admitted to cheating, he not only helped to spark one of the scene’s biggest witch hunts – he also left his team in disarray as a VAC ban stroke upon him.
The rest of Titan searched far and wide for a worthy replacement and in a seemingly desperate move they turned to the one who two years prior had switched from shooting headshots to fixing cars. RpK was back.
– Jérôme ”NiaK” Sudries called me, we talked for a while and he explained that since CS:GO had grown so much it was now possible to live off esports.
– I spent a month playing alone to get my reflexes back, then we gave it a try and it was positive. I had a lot to learn, but the basics were still there. From there on out it was up to me to prove that I could still play on the highest level possible, even after a 2 year break.
”We didn’t fully agree with Ex6TenZs approach to the game”
One and a half year have passed since the return of RpK and much have happened since. The lineup he once joined have completely dispersed and RpK, who was once brought in as a last resort, is now the longest standing member of the squad. He’s now surrounded by four new team mates.
In 2015 came the shuffle that saw Richard ”shox” Papillon and Edouard ”SmithZz” Dubourdeaux enter the squad. Afterward Adil ”ScreaM” Benrlitom also joined their ranks.
Soon came the perhaps most game changing roster move, as the Belgian master mind, Kevin ”Ex6TenZ” Droolans, were let go to make room for a new young talent, Alexandre ”bodyy” Pianaro.
Why did you guys feel a change was needed and why was it Ex6TenZ that had to go in the end?
– We made the decision because we wanted to go into tournaments with a different game style and another approach, one that would allow us to play more freely and that would suit us better. We didn’t fully agree with Ex6TenZs approach to the game, RpK says.
How come you picked Bodyy, and what has it been like since he joined?
– It was shox’s responsibility to pick up a player that would suit his vision of the game. I didn’t know the French sub top players very well and I was not in a position to chime in. I trusted shox and we did our best for bodyy to feel at home in game so that he wouldn’t feel too much pressure.
– It’s a pleasure playing with Alex, he’s a respectful player, very calm, and he handles stress very well. He has everything to become a great player, RpK says.
”It’s always a pleasure to play in front of a crowd”
Now G2 Esports are looking stronger than ever. And while RpK thinks the world rankings have previously not reflected their skill, he also says they’ve played better as of late. Only days ago they were able to prove it by winning the Esport Championship Series.
– It’s clear that we’ve had a higher level these past few weeks. According to me, it’s because of our new approach to the game. We all feel more comfortable and we were able to show it at the ECS finals. Now we have to cement our position.
At the time of writing, the world elite are making their way to Cologne, Germany, to fight it out at the second major of the year. RpK and his team mates seem to have a better chance than ever to take home the grand prize. However, if their streak will last remains to be seem, as they’re set to play in the group of death, facing Fnatic, SK Gaming and FaZe Clan.
– To me, the most beautiful stadiums of the current season are in Katowice and Cologne, and it’s always a pleasure for us to play in front of a crowd. To make this happen, we’ll have to get through the group stages first, and that will probably be the most complicated step. We can do it, and that’s what we’re focused on.
What do you think about the future for G2 Esports?
– I have a lot of good things in mind for the team’s future. We’re about to participate in every big tournament. Confidence is pretty important, and our last results have been really good for our mentality. It’s up to us to be clever enough for it to last!