Banner image: Ubisoft / @itsmeERROR
After missing out on the Six Invitational 2023, SANDBOX Gaming will return to the international scene in Copenhagen, Denmark.
For Kim "EnvyTaylor" Seong-soo, this experience will be slightly different from past international performances. It will be his first time competing outside South Korea without his friend Han "Static" Chan-yong, who retired on Feb. 2023 to complete his military service.
This ultimately means that the 30-year-old, whose international debut came at the Six Paris Major, is now the only former active player from the original roster of mantisFPS.
"All the players were very sad to let him go, it was because Static was the last player we had together for a long time," explained EnvyTaylor in an interview with SiegeGG.
Despite losing Static, South Korea having three spots to qualify for the BLAST R6 Major Copenhagen was enough to keep SANDBOX Gaming as one of the favorites to clinch a place.
To fill Static's shoes, Kim "Demic" Dae-yeong arrived at SANDBOX Gaming from Talon Esports. It was the team's second roster move in just three months as Park "Mephi" Ju-wan joined the team in Dec. 2022 from Spear Gaming to replace Song "SyAIL" Dong-seon.
According to EnvyTaylor, the adaptation of the players to the team was smooth. "Each player was on a different team, so they had a different style, but they practiced according to our team."
SANDBOX Gaming's start to the South Korea League 2023 was perfect, as they defeat Spear Gaming and LAVEGA Esports by 7-2 and 7-1, respectively. However, the team's 6-8 loss against PANTHERA saw the yellow roster finishing in Group B's second place.
"I don't think we understood the communication, harmony, and what the other person was trying to do on time," he explained.
However, not topping the standings in Group B didn't stop SANDBOX Gaming from qualifying for the BLAST R6 Major Copenhagen. Following two victories against Beyond Stratos Gaming and Talon Esports, the yellow squad secured a spot in Denmark.
Although SANDBOX Gaming had already clinched a spot to play at the Major, the job wasn't completely done yet as they faced DPlus in the South Korea 2023 Stage 1 grand finals to secure a place in Phase 2. It didn't go as expected, with SANDBOX Gaming falling to their archenemies by 5-7 and 1-7.
"Everyone was busy trying to solve their own discomfort, I think there was less team play," he admitted.
With this result, SANDBOX Gaming qualified for the BLAST R6 Major Copenhagen Phase 1, where they have been put in Group A alongside MNM Gaming, FURY, and Team Falcons. While they have never met the latter two, the South Koreans met the marshmallows at the Six Invitational 2022 as they lost in a BO3 series by 0-2.
When asked about the new format, EnvyTaylor is fine with both, although he leans towards the current system. "Both the new format and the APAC North method were good, if I have to pick one, I like the new way of proceeding."
SANDBOX Gaming's first match at the BLAST Major Copenhagen will be against FURY on Monday, Apr. 24, at 3 pm CEST (-2 UTC).
SiegeGG is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about how readers support SiegeGG.