DarkZero win ALGS Championship

DarkZero have been crowned champions at the Apex Legends Global Series Championship, capping off a chaotic and widely criticized event.

The former Reignite roster, who changed organizations just days before the tournament began, lived up to the expectation of tournament favorites that had been placed on them.

DarkZero win ALGS

It was a come-from-behind victory for the DarkZero roster, who had qualified for the Grand Final in sixth during the Winner’s Bracket. They fell behind early in the Grand Final, failing to record even a single kill across the first two rounds, and were sitting on 26 points (out of 50 points to be eligible to win) when FURIA reached match point for the first time. However, FURIA, 100 Thieves, and GMT Esports all struggled to close out the match after reaching match point.

DarkZero reached match point after a ninth-place finish in Round Eight, before dominant play in Round Nine secured them the title. By the time DarkZero secured the title, there were nine teams at Match Point, making for an incredibly tense atmosphere in Raleigh’s PNC Arena.

FURIA’s Jacob “HisWattson” McMillin was named tournament MVP.

Fans demand more of EA

However, while DarkZero can bask in the glory of their win, fans are far from happy with the tournament itself. Nearly 20 players across the tournament were forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19, including two players who had to miss the Grand Final itself.

EA had previously doubled down on its COVID-19 policy, which automatically suspended players who tested positive and did not provide an option for remote or quarantined play.

EA have announced that Apex Legends esports will return for the 2022-23 season, meaning fans will be ready to hold the gaming giant to a much higher standard.

No details other than the confirmed existence of the game’s third season were made public at the event, but the broadcast team promised fans that details would be soon announced via social media.

The future of Apex Legends esports

In fairness to the ALGS, its chaotic and mismanaged Championship was not reflective of the successful 2021-22 season the esport enjoyed. However, as the confetti settles, fans will be eagerly turning to the future.

Where will champions DarkZero play next season? Will the all-Australian roster remain in the Asia-Pacific region, or relocate to DarkZero’s home territory of North America? After a strong showing at the Championship, can the EMEA and South American regions finally break the North American and APAC dominance in the game’s esports scene?

All these questions and more will be answered with the ALGS returns later this year.

Header: Blake Borchers for Apex Legends Esports