Akimbo receive permission from Valve to compete in Americas RMR Closed Qualifier

Dust2.us has confirmed that Akimbo has been granted special permission by Valve to compete in the Perfect World Shanghai Major Americas RMR NA Closed Qualifier, claiming the final seed for the online event. Akimbo had previously received an invite to the East Asian qualifier for the Asia-Pacific RMR due to having three Mongolian players on the roster, however Valve presumably allowed the team to be counted as an Americas team due to the trio living in NA on a long-term basis.

The news is likely a Major relief to the Akimbo lineup as their road to the Major via the East Asian Closed Qualifier would have forced the team to spend $1,000's to fly out to Asia or play from North America with massive ping disadvantage. Likewise, for the Asian scene itself, Akimbo's inclusion took away a spot from a team that actively competes in the region.

As such, Valve's pragmatic solution is likely to be well received by the majority of the scene as it demonstrates Valve's willingness to accept and apply a common sense solution. The only party that may be aggrieved is ex-Limitless as they were next in line to claim a spot in the Closed Qualifier. However, with that team being dead since June their chances of doing damage in the Closed Qualifier was unlikely at best.

With Akimbo's addition, the list of teams in the NA Closed Qualifier is now:

1. Legacy

2. Wildcard

3. NRG

4. Nouns

5. Party Astronauts

6. Elevate

7. E-Xolos LAZER

8. BOSS

9. LAG

10. Mythic

11. FLUFFY AIMERS

12. Phoenix

13. Limitless

14. Homyno

15. Take Flyte

16. Akimbo