Gravitas: "We're really disappointed"

Gravitas speak exclusively to HLTV.org about being placed on the waiting/reserve list for ESWC Cheonan Masters.

With American Counter-Strike aiming to once again become competetive globally, it is Gravitas who lead the way by dominating the US scene.

KODE5 USA in Dallas was attended by the top teams in American gaming, including Evil Geniuses - who have had high expectations placed on their shoulders. Yet, despite this high expectancy, it was Gravitas who came out on top at this event. And it was also Gravitas who finished top out of all the American teams at the Extreme Masters III Global Finals in Hannover earlier this month.

With this in mind, many expected that Gravitas would be attending the ESWC Cheonan Masters, ahead of their American counterparts Evil Geniuses and x3o. However, just the opposite has been announced, as x3o and Evil Geniuses have been selected to attend the event, whereas Gravitas have been placed on the reserve / waiting list, along with Crack Clan.

After Tomi "lurppis" Kovanen spoke out earlier, we decided to speak to some of the Gravitas members, to see if they felt the same way. Here is what Ben "Ben" Hui of Gravitas had to say:

"We're really disappointed. Especially if you compare our past year performance to the other two US teams: WCG USA representative, won kode5 usa, top placing at esl etc. And then the fact that x3o just replaced 2 players - so both teams [x3o and Evil Geniuses] have yet to prove themselves - and everyone knows how Evil Geniuses have done at every event this year - but I won't get into that."

When asked what makes Evil Geniuses appeal to event organizers, ben replied:

"Because of past accomplishments which should not carry over to 2009 thats all in the past."

Alex "Vansilli" Nguyen, Gravitas manager and esports broadcaster added:

"Wow I mean, I just read about the news now of the list of invited teams and I would agree with lurppis that some of the choices are rediculous. On the other hand, it is an Asia Masters so it's only normal for them to have more favoritism for Asian teams for I am sure the teams selected must have a huge Asian following."

After his initial shock reaction, the reality of Evil Geniuses being chosen over Gravitas began to sink in:

"What I would disagree about the most is the choice of Evil Geniuses over us. That my friend, is quite the bull****. Maybe they held on to the fact that three of those players won the ESWC for the Americans in 2006, but just like lurppis said, they haven't accomplished anything since then. It seems as though ESWC neglected those who actually have still been playing Counterstrike 1.6 over here in North America - when the others sold out to Source. I find it quite unfair that these players think they can just come back and toss aside all the other teams that have still been playing and working hard to be the new #1 in North America.

When asked about what he though of x3o being chosen ahead of Gravitas, Vansilli stated:

"Now I totally agree that x3o was chosen as one of the American teams invited, because that is a team that has been working hard.Maybe they (ESWC) omitted the fact that when they compared the x3o that competed at WCG in Germany, and the x3o that played at ESL last year, the x3o players were players from Gravitas. So maybe they've really only looked at the team accomplishments more than the players when comparing us and x3o. 

Even if the Gravitas team should of attended, I'm not taking away the credit that the current x3o team deserves this as well. I don't know if losing mehLer was such a good idea - but we'll see how they do with their new lineup.

But we definatly should of been there with them above Evil Geniuses - who have been dominated by teams and pugs since their return to 1.6."

Gravitas may still attend the ESWC Cheonan Masters event should one of the other teams drop out - something which all of those involved with Gravitas are hoping for.