Beyond the Summit closes doors

Beyond the Summit have announced that they will be shutting down after 11 years of operating within the esports scene. The first BTS Counter-Strike event was held in 2017 as a $100k tournament with top teams like SK, Liquid and C9 among the attendees. What really set the summit events apart from the rest of the circuit was their unique production, a laid back and almost casual atmosphere with the casting was done from a couch that players and guests would drop in and join the broadcast at any time. The style was so successful that ESL have recently taken heavy inspiration from it for their newest season of Pro League.

Now after almost two years since their last tournament in the CS space, the company has announced that they will be shutting down due to financial constraints. The announcements comes after the management realised they would not be able to continue paying staff down the line, so ultimately decided to cut it short allowing their staff access to severance and time to find new employment including setting up a spreadsheet to try and help their staff find a new home.

The move comes during a period of uncertainty in the esports space, as, multiple companies have recently announced lay-offs and cuts in a tightening world economy. One such company were another NA based TO, Nerd Street, who earlier in the month it was reported are experiencing financial turmoil of their own.

The community reaction has been one of overwhelming sadness, as not only was the Beyond The Summit a incredibly unique product but it holds a place in a lot of CS fans' hearts as a pioneer in developing the way the game has been broadcast and produced.

Canadian caster Mohan "Launders" Govindasamy voiced his sadness at the news, whilst former pro player James "hazed" Cobb stated how the BTS events he had attended were some of the best he has been to.