European esports organization Ninjas in Pyjamas is releasing its Overwatch team into free agency.
The fully Finnish team will continue to participate in Overwatch Contenders under the name Rest in Pyjamas. Ninjas in Pyjamas entered into Overwatch in August of last year, fielding a strong roster and seeing early success. A lack of European Overwatch tournaments, however, stunted their growth as a team.
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“As time passed, we have seen a growing amount of teams release their Overwatch lineups as they assess the future of the game as an esports title,” Ninjas in Pyjamas said in a statement. “The scene has not evolved as expected with viewership being below expectations and Blizzard is yet to announce more details surrounding their upcoming Overwatch League.”
Because of that uncertainty, Ninjas in Pyjamas will join the likes of Fnatic, TSM, Denial, Red Reserve, Splyce, and Team Dignitas in opting out of Overwatch. The organization expects to reassess its involvement in Overwatch as more information is released about Overwatch League.
For now, Ninjas in Pyjamas will focus its efforts on its Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and League of Legends teams.
The team now known as Rest in Pyjamas is sitting in third place in Overwatch Contenders’ Group C after earning a win, a loss, and a draw. They’ll have to improve their record on June 24 when the European Overwatch Contenders group stage continues if they are to move on in the tournament.
