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A Farewell to the VALORANT Stage

After three years of competing in VALORANT, Norwegian esports organisation Apeks has officially announced a pause on its operations in the game. The decision follows a tough 2025 season that saw the team relegated from VCT EMEA and miss out on all major events, including VALORANT Champions in Paris.

In an emotional statement shared across social media, Apeks thanked its players, staff, and fans for their support throughout the years.

But despite the heartfelt farewell, the announcement also revealed deeper frustrations with Riot Games’ competitive system, particularly a rule change that many fans believe disrupted the balance for Ascension teams.

Riot’s Rule Change and the Financial Fallout

According to Apeks, the organisation’s investment in VALORANT was based on the promise of a two-year spot in the VCT International League for Ascension winners. However, in 2024, Riot reduced that guaranteed period to just one year, with possible extensions based on performance.

By the time the change was announced, Apeks had already committed its resources under the original terms. “This resulted in a significant budget reduction heading into VCT and fundamentally changed what we had planned for the 2025 season,” the team explained.

While the organisation expressed confidence that it could rebuild a strong VCL roster, the altered system “no longer aligns with the conditions that initially led [them] to invest in the space.”

From Ascension Glory to VCT Struggles

Apeks entered VALORANT in early 2023, joining the Challengers Northern Europe circuit with a powerhouse lineup featuring keiko, MAGNUM, Enzo, Mistic, and ShadoW. They dominated their region, losing only twice all year, but narrowly missed promotion to the International League.

In 2024, Apeks returned stronger than ever with a refreshed lineup of kaajak, soulcas, MOLSI, AvovA, and hype. This roster went on to make history by winning VCT EMEA Ascension 2024, earning the organisation its long-awaited spot in the top-tier league.

However, 2025 was far less kind. Despite high expectations, Apeks failed to secure a single win throughout the VCT EMEA season and ended the year relegated, with all players later announcing their free agency.

The Community Reacts

The VALORANT community reacted to the news with a mix of sadness and frustration. Former players and fans flooded social media with tributes, recalling the team’s emotional Ascension victory and memorable runs in the Challengers scene.

“From the highest high to the lowest low, we made history with winning Ascension and getting 0 wins in VCT,” said AvovA, one of the team’s key players. Fellow teammate soulcas echoed the sentiment, writing, “It was a pleasure to win Ascension with you guys. You’ll be missed.”

Even rival teams and casters, including Tombizz and Metizport, shared their respect, calling Apeks “one of the scariest teams to face in Ascension.”

What’s Next for Apeks?

While Apeks has stepped away from VALORANT for now, the organisation hinted that this may not be a permanent exit. “We hope to return at a later point,” they said, leaving the door open for a potential comeback if Riot’s competitive structure evolves in the coming years.

For now, fans will have to say goodbye to one of the most resilient stories in VALORANT esports, a team that rose from the regional circuit to international play, only to be undone by shifting rules and an unforgiving system.