Feature: The Mcg1LLzZz Story

Mcg1LLzZz's journey in CSGO has been a testament to the challenges faced by Indian gamers. From battling connectivity issues to overcoming the constraints of high ping, he has risen to the pinnacle of Indian CS with unwavering determination. Even at the age of 29, Mcg1LLzZz defies all boundaries, proving that age is no barrier to success. Let's delve into the inspiring story of a young boy from Eastern India who has not only risen to prominence within the nation but has also left an indelible mark on the international stage, proudly representing his country.

Rise in the East
Shuvajyoti "Mcg1LLzZz" Chakraborty embarked on his gaming journey back in 2006, initially frequenting local cafes to pursue his passion for Counter-Strike 1.6. His friend, Deathmaker, shared this journey with him, and they began competing professionally as early as 2010 when Mcg1LLzZz was still in high school.

In the eastern India esports scene, TehcnoIndia was a significant event that Mcg1LLzZz actively participated in. In their debut, they triumphed over intimidating opponents like aim2game. The year 2014 marked an important milestone when they faced off against Brutality, featuring notable players like Venom, even securing a map victory against them. Although their journey in that tournament ended in the semifinals, it served as a much-needed motivation boost for the team.

Transition to CS:GO
Around the same time, the release of CS:GO didn't immediately capture Mcg1LLzZz's interest. However, under the encouragement of his friends, he eventually started playing the game. Connectivity issues forced him to start with the BETA version, but by 2015, they had transitioned into professional play. Competing as JMD Gaming alongside teammates like Riomeister, predator, deathmaker, and Semao, they quickly rose to become among the best players. However, due to parental concerns about his graduation, which had already been delayed due to gaming, Mcg1LLzZz had to put his gaming career on hold.

In 2017, while pursuing his degree, Mcg1LLzZz received an invitation to play at the ESL India Championship Winter on behalf of JMD Gaming. Despite a limited 15-day practice window, they managed to qualify for the playoffs but faced a setback during LAN matches. Nevertheless, it was a considerable achievement given the short preparation time.

Local Dominance
Upon completing his graduation in 2019, Mcg1LLzZz, alongside DEFAULTER and LightningFast, joined Flashback Gaming. Facing a physical challenge due to recent surgery, Mcg1LLzZz's father stepped up and provided him with a computer, enabling him to practice from home. Despite high ping and limited FPS, his determination didn't waver and the team continued to thrive locally. Even when LightningFast decided to join Global Esports, they persevered, introducing new players and continuing to grind.

Then came VALORANT, and despite Mcg1LLzZz achieving the rank of Immortal in just 12 days, his PC couldn't fully support the new game. When confronted with the decision to switch to VALORANT, he and DEFAULTER opted to stay loyal to CS:GO, the game they loved and had competed in for so long. Their big break came when they represented India in Israel. After successfully navigating a challenging qualifier against strong teams like KingPins, despite high ping disadvantages, they emerged as the sole qualifying team from India. Following their victory on the national front, they proceeded to regional qualifiers in South Asia, where they overcame formidable opponents from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Taking Indian CS across Borders
The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) provided invaluable support, arranging flight tickets, jerseys, and other essential commodities. The team ventured to face North Mesodania, where they suffered a close 16-14 loss. Subsequently, they advanced to the group stage, with Mcg1LLzZz leading the charge in a resounding 16-3 victory against Namibia. Their journey continued against Sweden, featuring prominent players like bodenmeister and NIP Academy team members. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't advance past the group stage. The absence of their primary AWPer, F1redup, due to VISA issues was among the primary reasons for the shortcomings of Team India. Mcg1LLzZz firmly believes that, with F1redup's presence, they could have reached the quarterfinals.

Although they didn't leave a significant mark, the exposure gained from the event was invaluable. On November 19th, which happened to be Mcg1LLzZz's birthday, they crossed paths with Sphinx and flamez, who were impressed by the team's run in Israel They highlighted the need for support staff to further bolster the team. Even now, there continues to be a shortage of comprehensive coaching facilities accessible to Indian esports talents.

A renewed opportunity in Bali
After their return to India, the team began reasserting their dominance on the local scene. With no major events taking place in India at the time, their sights were set on the IESF event in Bali. Once again, they emerged as the top team in the Indian groups and secured a spot in the South Asia regional qualifiers. They went on to defeat teams from Pakistan and Nepal, but a power cut during their match against Bangladesh led to a 4v5 situation, causing them to concede two points. Their first match in Bali pitted them against a formidable opponent, Russia.

Despite a strong showing on their T side, they struggled on the CT side. It was in this match that Mcg1LLzZz realized the difference in team structure between his team and a European one. The defeat wasn't due to individual skills but rather a lack of teamwork. In the subsequent match, they lost to Chile, leading to their elimination from the event.

Facing New Opportunities
In 2023, they faced disappointment as they failed to qualify for the IESF event in Romania, and their team disbanded. However, the announcement of the Skyesports Masters tournament provided a new opportunity. Mcg1LLzZz was eager to participate, and even though he was offered a spot as the 6th man in Gods Reign, he wanted to compete in the tournament. Just five days before the event, he and DEFAULTER were offered a chance to play for Marcos Gaming. The roster selection process was a bit chaotic due to many players wanting to join teams. While Rossi was considered, the team eventually included ZEROCOOL, Gh0sTTTT, and Rider.

Unexpectedly, the newly formed Marcos Gaming roster dominated the group stage, leading the charts. They advanced to the playoffs unscathed, but their performance faltered in the semi-finals. A lack of a boot camp and a coach made it challenging for them to find their form in the crucial semi-final match. They arrived in Bangalore just three days prior and had limited practice time, which showed in their performance. They were defeated by Gods Reign, not reflecting the strong form they had exhibited in the group stage.

Future Prospects
Despite the setbacks, the journey has been incredibly inspiring. Mcg1LLzZz, at 29 years of age, remains determined to continue. With the addition of Rossi and DiceDealer to bolster their roster, Marcos Gaming is also planning to establish a boot camp in Delhi, a move that will further contribute to the success of the team.