eSports
Reuters 6y

Houston Outlaws release Overwatch League coach amid Infinite Esports layoffs

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The troubles for Infinite Esports/OpTic Gaming might be more widespread than previously thought.

Polarizing coach Kyle "KyKy" Souder revealed Monday on Twitter that he was released from Infinite/OpTic's Overwatch League team, the Houston Outlaws. He apparently is not the only one being released at this time, with other staff also leaving the organization.

"Just informed that I am also one of the many people being let go from Infinite/OpTic/Outlaws," Souder tweeted. "I've turned down many opportunities to remain loyal to one organization but am now a free agent looking for a fresh start."

Souder previously coached Team Envy and the Dallas Fuel before making the leap to the Outlaws earlier this year. His release from the organization also comes at a time when the parent organization, OpTic Gaming, has lost general manager Romain Bigeard, who announced his resignation from the team earlier Monday citing a "difference of opinion" regarding the future of the team.

Additionally, OpTic Gaming's AD Carry, Noh "Arrow" Dong-hyeon, recently announced that he is planning to leave the team to look for new opportunities. League of Legends analyst Ian "Surza" Lux also revealed on Twitter earlier this month that he was being released from the organization.

In September, Ali "Alicus" Saba, director of international development at Infinite Esports & Entertainment, announced that he was leaving the company as well.

What this all means for OpTic Gaming, the Houston Outlaws and Infinite Esports remains unclear, but mass layoffs and staff departures are never a good sign in the esports scene. Speculation about the troubles the organization was undergoing arose earlier this month when GG Esports Academy, the group's Overwatch Contenders team, reportedly bowed out of the Contenders Trials tournament, with the remaining teams being given a free win due to the absence.

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