A significant development in Oceanic esports occurred when Team Bliss, a prominent organization, acquired its local rivals, The Chiefs, resulting in the formation of a dominant regional force. This partnership has quickly gained traction in the Oceanic esports scene.
The acquisition was made public through a tweet by Team Bliss on September 15, and it came as a surprise at a time when Oceanic esports was experiencing volatility due to a slow recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both Team Bliss and The Chiefs had been fierce competitors, particularly in the League of Legends Circuit Oceania (LCO) since the beginning of 2023. The Chiefs had secured two championship titles earlier this year, but Team Bliss closely followed, making a notable debut in the league. Regrettably, neither team performed well in the Pacific Championship Series playoffs, with both being eliminated in straight sets.
Team Bliss’ AD carry, Samil “leemas” Kip, humorously remarked on Twitter after the acquisition was announced, saying, “If we can’t beat them, buy them,” alluding to Bliss’ previous losses in the LCO split finals. However, the head-to-head rivalry between the two teams has come to an end due to Riot Games’ conflict of interest rules.
As a result of the merger, The Chiefs’ ownership group now operates as a subsidiary of Bliss. This means they can field only one team in future LCO editions. The fate of the players is uncertain, and whether they will be released as free agents is still under discussion. Riot’s official Global Contractor Database indicates that the players’ contracts are set to expire in November.
Despite the integration of their League teams, both organizations will continue to operate independently without any further conflicts. Aiden Hiko, The Chiefs’ head of brand, confirmed that announcements about future management personnel are forthcoming, and all other operations will proceed as usual. He expressed optimism about increased opportunities for both teams and mentioned upcoming collaborations on exciting local projects.
Reflecting on his nearly decade-long journey with The Chiefs, Hiko expressed enthusiasm for the historic change, stating, “I’m excited to be working with an ownership group that shares our passion and ambition for the industry.” He also noted that there is more work to be done in this evolving landscape.
In 2019, Bliss entered Oceanic esports, participating in various games like VALORANT, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG, and Rocket League, with a strong emphasis on promoting healthy gaming habits. They partnered with Australian wellness specialists GameAware to help young gamers strike a balance between gaming as a habit and a hobby.
Five years earlier, The Chiefs made their League debut and even represented the region at the World Championships in 2022. They have also competed in titles such as Call of Duty, CS:GO, Rocket League, and Fortnite, among others.
Brendan Harms, Bliss’ chief of operations, praised The Chiefs’ management in the team’s official blog post. He expressed hope that by combining the resources of both organizations, they can provide Oceanic esports fans with a powerhouse to rally behind.
The future of the teams, especially in League, will be determined in the coming months as they prepare for their joint endeavors in 2024.