Cloud 9 Valorant parts ways with Wippie after underwhelming VCT Americas 2024 Kickoff

Fans upset at Cloud9 after they continue to rapidly release roster members

Cloud 9 Valorant parts ways with Wippie after underwhelming VCT Americas 2024 Kickoff

Image via Valorant eSports

Cloud9 recently announced on their Valorant Twitter account a major change within their Valorant roster. Maxim “Wippie” Shepelev was released by the organisation shortly after the conclusion of the VCT Americas 2024 Kickoff. Wippie joined Cloud9 in October 2023, just five months before departing from the organisation.

The announcement of the release of the Russian player from Cloud9 came after only three regular season matches and half a year of his tenure with the organisation. Wippie had previously played for teams like Version1 and G2 with varying degrees of success.

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Cloud9’s performance during the first leg of VCT 2024 has been fairly disappointing. The team was only able to secure two out of seven map victories during VCT Americas 2024. The team beat MIBR in their first game of the season. However, lost 2-0 to both NRG and in their rematch against MIBR shortly after. Thus losing their shot to qualify for VCT Masters Madrid.

Fans upset at Cloud9 for successive Valorant roster changes after the release of Wippie

Wippie said that his journey with Cloud9 did not align with his expectations. However, the player continues to remain eager to continue his career as a Valorant professional across any region.

Such early roster changes are nothing new for Cloud9. The organisation has now become notorious for rapid changes in its roster.

Wippie Cloud9 Valorant
Image via: Valorant eSports

The roster change has stirred much controversy on social media. In a similar manner last year, Cloud9 decided to part ways with another high-profile player, Yay, and IGL Vanity following the VCT LOCK//IN at the start of the 2023 season. They claimed role incompatibility to be the reason for this change.

Similarly, Zellsis, qpert and Runi were also released from the organisation less than a full season after they joined the team. Many internet users have decided to poke fun and troll Cloud9 for these roster decisions, including rival team Sentinels.

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