Evil Geniuses: North America’s League of Legends Squad

Evil Geniuses (EG) is a North American esports organization and one of the oldest in the world. The organization features a collection of players and teams across various genres, including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, DotA 2, League of Legends, Quake Live, StarCraft II, Super Street Fighter IV, and World of Warcraft. Team EG began looking for a lineup to support the League of Legends circuit in late 2012 and early 2013. With the purchase of the former Counter Logic Gaming EU lineup in January 2013, the organization launched its first League of Legends squad.

History

Preseason 4

In December 2013, Evil Geniuses relocated their gaming house to America and acquired a spot in the North American LCS from Velocity eSports at the promotion stage. However, mid-laner Henrik “Froggen” Hansen and top laner Mike “Wicked” Petersen left the team and formed Alliance to take over Evil Geniuses’ spot in the EU LCS.

2015 Preseason

Due to a new guideline introduced by Riot on November 21 that limits the capacity of GoodGame Agency to brand LCS teams, Evil Geniuses had to modify their brand for the 2015 season. Winterfox won their NA LCS place in the end.

2019 Season

PEAK6 Investments bought Evil Geniuses on May 29, 2019. Under new management, Evil Geniuses revealed on September 26, 2019, that they had bought Echo Fox’s LCS spot and would return to the LCS in 2020.

2020 Season

EG signed many high-profile players for their first split back in the LCS, including 2019 LCS Summer Split MVP jungler Svenskeren, involved retired Team Vitality mid-laner Jiizuke, and former World Champion bot laner Bang. Evil Geniuses were competitive to start the Spring Split but were unlikely to truly challenge the rankings, with former Cloud9 Academy top laner Kumo and ex-C9 support Zeyzal rounding out the squad. The team was more effective in public relations, gaining attention with their unique “Evil” logo. After a 5-7 start, the team turned things around and went 5-1 for the rest of the season to end in a three-way deadlock for second place with 100 Thieves and FlyQuest. EG beat 100 Thieves in the last round in the subsequent tiebreaker to secure the superior seed going into the playoffs. They were placed into the winner’s bracket of the new LCS playoff structure and defeated FlyQuest 3-1 in the first round, only to fall 3-1 in the next match against eventual winners Cloud9. Evil Geniuses were given a second shot in the loser’s bracket, where they faced FlyQuest again, but this time lost 3-1. They finished third in their comeback split.

2024 Season

Evil Geniuses has continued to build on its legacy in the LCS, maintaining a competitive roster and adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of professional League of Legends. The organization has invested heavily in player development and infrastructure, aiming to become a dominant force in the region.

Current Roster

As of 2024, Evil Geniuses has assembled a roster that combines seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, demonstrating a commitment to both experience and fresh talent. The roster includes:

1. Top Laner: [New Top Laner]
2. Jungler: Dennis “Svenskeren” Johnsen
3. Mid Laner: [New Mid Laner]
4. Bot Laner: [New Bot Laner]
5. Support: [New Support]

Recent Achievements

• 2022: EG reached the semifinals of the LCS Spring Split and secured a spot in the Mid-Season Invitational.
• 2023: EG had a strong showing in the Summer Split, finishing in the top four and earning a place in the World Championship, where they advanced to the quarterfinals.

Future Outlook

Evil Geniuses aims to leverage its deep-rooted history and strategic investments to climb the ranks of the LCS and make a significant impact on the international stage. With a focus on innovation, player development, and competitive excellence, EG is poised to remain a powerhouse in the esports world.

Evil Geniuses continues to be a key player in North American esports, consistently striving for greatness and aiming to bring home more titles in the coming seasons.