Wildcard Gaming has just made a shocking announcement ahead of the PGL Astana Closed Qualifier. The Counter-Strike 2 community had been speculating about this move for days, and now it’s official: Stewie2K is joining Wildcard Gaming.
Stewie2K Joins Wildcard Gaming
For several days, rumors had been circulating about Jake “Stewie2K” Yip joining Wildcard Gaming. The speculation arose due to various social media posts made by the North American esports organization hinting at a potential roster change.
Today, Wildcard Gaming has confirmed the signing of Stewie2K through an official post on their Twitter account. This marks the return of Stewie2K to competitive Counter-Strike 2 as he steps in for the PGL Astana Closed Qualifier.
Source: Wildcard
What Will Stewie2K’s Role Be?
As of now, Wildcard Gaming has not disclosed Stewie2K’s exact role within the team. There has been no announcement regarding any roster changes, leaving the community in suspense about whether he will be replacing a current player or taking on a different role.
Stewie2K Speaks on His Wildcard Gaming Arrival
In a statement on Twitter, Stewie2K confirmed that he will be playing as a stand-in for Wildcard Gaming during the PGL Astana Closed Qualifier. This means that fans will soon get to see him in official Counter-Strike 2 matches once again.
The last time Stewie2K played competitively was between April and May 2024, when he served as a stand-in for Brazilian team Legacy. His return to action with Wildcard Gaming has sparked excitement among fans, as they eagerly await his performance in the upcoming tournament.
Source: Stewie
Why Did Wildcard Sign Stewie2K?
Although no official statement has been released, one of the prevailing theories behind this roster move revolves around regional eligibility for Major tournaments.
According to Valve’s tournament rules, a team’s regional classification is determined by the nationality of its majority players. With Wildcard currently featuring two Swedish players and one South African player, adding Stewie2K ensures that Wildcard is classified as a North American team.
This move could be strategic, as it might allow Wildcard to compete in the North American qualifiers for the next CS2 Major rather than facing tougher competition in Europe.