Ten days after they claimed the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 trophy with a thrilling reverse sweep over Gaimin Gladiators, Azure Ray star players and the coach left the team to join Xtreme Gaming.
Azure Ray was the first Chinese team to bring a ray of hope for their region ahead of the new year with their incredible run earlier this month at ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023. However, despite claiming the championship title in Malaysia, and thus becoming the top team in the ESL Pro Tour (EPT) ranking, Azure Ray are now down to just two players. The shuffle is reported to have actually started even before the event began in Malaysia.
Azure Ray’s winning roster was formed in the post TI12 shuffle with Zhao "XinQ" Zixing and Guo "Xm" Hongcheng coming from Xtreme Gaming. However, while the two of them were competing in Kuala Lumpur, their former organisation was announcing the return of China’s finest carry player, Wang "Ame" Chunyu.
Ame’s return to the competitive scene was announced on December 11, just as Azure Ray were having a strong start in the ESL One KL tourney. Ten days after AR became the first Chinese team to win an international LAN since LGD’s victory at Riyadh Masters 2022, Xtreme Gaming announced that the newly ESL champions XinQ and Xm are returning to their banner. More so, they are bringing with them Lin "Xxs" Jing and coach Wang "Liekkas" Yutian.
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Xtreme Gaming current roster
Xtreme Gaming
Wang “Ame” ChunyuHongcheng “Xm” GuoJing “Xxs” LinZixing “XinQ” ZhaoCong “Dy” Ding
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Azure Ray current roster
Azure RayMore likely, due to three players leaving the team, Azure Ray will be forced per EPT rules to play qualifiers for the next Dreamleague Season. Xtreme Gaming will also be pitted in the Chinese qualifier rounds, which will make for an exciting start of 2024 for all Dota 2 fans.
DreamLeague Season 22 closed qualifiers are scheduled for January 13 - 17, 2024, while the tournament itself will take place February 25 - March 10, 2024.
