Regardless of being Main finalist with G2, Audric ‘JACKZ’ Jug is joyful to take the step right down to decrease ranges of Counter-Strike if it means competing. Actually, the Frenchman is spending time that may historically be a honeymoon in Kettering competing at EPIC45.
The FUT roster, which options former Vitality gamers Kévin ‘misutaaa’ Rabier and Nabil ‘Nivera’ Benrlitom, are hungry to climb the Valve Regional Standings and safe invitations to future competitions, in an effort to match the ambitions of the brand new org, FUT Esports – a multi-game Turkish large.
Esports Information UK talked to JACKZ about his experiences with FUT and NiP, in addition to his ideas on Vitality’s 12 months and whether or not Belgian legend, Adil ‘ScreaM’ Benrlitom might return as a part of this roster.
Interview with JACKZ at EPIC.LAN 45
How are you discovering EPIC.LAN?
We’re good in UK LAN. The climate was good yesterday, so we’re a bit shocked, however on the finish, the true climate of the UK is again.
We’re feeling good right here.
What concerning the meals? Have you ever been managing to search out meals you’ll be able to eat?
Yeah, we’ve had pizza and burgers from the truck, so we try simply that for now, however let’s see. We haven’t been to a restaurant or catering but to eat, so we’ll see.
The blokes have been actually good with me, however we didn’t do follow collectively. I used to be simply right here to play the official video games.
JACKZ on his time with NiP
About your 12 months. You performed with NIP at first of the 12 months for VRS causes. How did you discover that?
First, they got here to me due to the VRS system and I used to be a wildcard participant as a result of I performed with Vitality and we received prime eight throughout BLAST.
So, I used to be a wildcard participant they usually have simply Snappi and sjuush, if I’m not mistaken. So, they want three guys to get some VRS factors, so they arrive to me and ask me if I can stand in for them.
What was the expertise like within the group? Clearly, that wasn’t essentially the group that you just have been going to be in long run, so how is it working with one other group?
It was actually good, nice ambiance. The blokes have been actually good with me, however we didn’t do follow collectively. I used to be simply right here to play the official video games.
It was like possibly one hour earlier than the sport, we’d go on the server, they’d present me the technique, we’ve got a small discuss with the employees to be a bit prepared, but it surely was not… oh, I can’t say that in English.
I believe if I’ve extra follow with them, for positive the expertise goes to be higher. However on the finish, it wasn’t ultimate, I knew I wasn’t going to do follow with them, so I simply performed and I loved it.
So, now transferring into this FUT roster. To start with, how did you discover your new organisation?
It was as a result of they’re a extremely good group on Valorant they usually know Nivera and his brother ScreaM, our legend, and they also first received into contact they usually have been interested by coming into CS with a brand new lineup.
They selected us as a result of they didn’t need to enter CS instantly with a tier one lineup. At this second, we had plenty of maps and we’re taking part in loads on HLTV and it was good for us, I believe.
My spouse is my finest help on CS so she completely understands that, and she or he advised me even simply earlier than the marriage, throughout the week simply earlier than, ‘don’t overlook to follow’
JACKZ on spending his honeymoon at EPIC.LAN
Are the organisation serving to you? Have you ever discovered a optimistic expertise with the organisation up to now?
Yeah, significantly. We went to Istanbul in Turkey, to the FUT home. It’s like a giant household, you understand? In order that was actually good.
Simply on the competitors issues, we didn’t have a lot alternative to compete for now as a result of we’ve solely had one occasion in Sweden, Jönköping [Glitched Masters 2025: Open Qualifier], but it surely was actually dangerous circumstances.
After it was a break. Me, I had my marriage ceremony and we’ve got like simply two qualifiers on-line between some breaks and issues. Now we’re right here to play in UK, however we didn’t have like massive alternative to actually play like we did the primary a part of the season.
Talking of your marriage ceremony, how did your now spouse react to the truth that you’re going to Kettering in your honeymoon?
My spouse is my finest help on CS so she completely understands that, and she or he advised me even simply earlier than the marriage, throughout the week simply earlier than, ‘don’t overlook to follow, play individually, blah blah blah’, no worries about us.
After the marriage instantly, we’ve got three days of follow and after we’re right here. It was quick, fairly quick.
We all know and we will see that he has plenty of potential, however we don’t know but if he’s at his finest.
JACKZ on Nivera’s kind getting back from Valorant
So now you’re in a position to play extra collectively, you’ll be able to play some officers. What do you assume is the sort of potential of this roster?
Our aim right here is to win VRS factors as a result of now with out VRS, you do nothing. So we’re right here to get some factors and to get some invitations and to do the utmost that we will. We’re going to do the small tournaments on-line.
If we do properly, we’re going to have factors and we’re possibly going to get invitations at CCT and each event we will have on web, and if we’ve got some LANs, like EPIC.LAN, or we will get some factors, we’re going to do it. If we’ve got the price range to do it.
You talked about Nivera getting back from Valorant. Do you’re feeling like he’s again at his finest in Counter-Strike?
It’s exhausting to say this. We actually don’t know as a result of he stayed two or three years in Valorant. We all know and we will see that he has plenty of potential, however we don’t know but if he’s at his finest. I believe he’s nonetheless younger.
He has a giant margin of development nonetheless. So it’s good for us.
For me, CS is a contest. If I’m right here or if I’m in studio or in area, the sport continues to be the identical.
JACKZ on his drive to compete
Exterior of the roster, you’ve got ScreaM on the bench as a content material creator. He introduced on Twitter that he wish to compete once more. I don’t know for those who guys are in contact with him. Do you’ve got any updates? Do you assume he’s gearing as much as competitors?
With us, we all know Adil [ScreaM] needs to return again to CS, and we gave to him one 12 months to play individually and have a sense once more with the sport, however with FUT, usually he will probably be a content material creator and sixth participant if somebody of the group can’t play.
However for positive, there’s at all times this door that may be opened if we have to do a change, and if Adil is able to play and he has a great feeling with the sport, let’s see concerning the roles and these items.
However sure, it may be an answer.
You talked about earlier your stint with Vitality, the stand-in stint with Vitality final 12 months. Vitality have had a historic 12 months. I’m not going to say that it was all due to mezzii….
He’s the GOAT, he’s the GOAT.
However significantly, I needed to ask, out of your viewpoint, you’ve been in contact with these gamers, did you anticipate this type of 12 months with ropz becoming a member of?
I’ve plenty of info, as a result of Dan is certainly one of my finest buddies, however yeah, I do know as a result of they’ve some stuff with Lotan, with Spinx. So within the group was not the very best temper.
When ropz got here, I knew it was going to be like an enormous improve, and Lotan is a extremely, actually, actually good participant.
Simply within the group, if you keep two or three years, I believe, some issues occur and it was a wanted change, and ropz was the very best man to suit into this puzzle.
Personally, you’ve performed within the Main remaining, the ultimate of Katowice, the ultimate of Cologne. What’s it that’s bringing you to attending these LANs and attempting to grind your manner up once more?
For me, I prefer it. It’s like after I was younger, I used to be doing this like virtually each weekend. So I like this ambiance and in UK, you’ll be able to actually really feel it. For me, CS is a contest. If I’m right here or if I’m in studio or in area, the sport continues to be the identical.
And I take pleasure in this sport.
Darragh Harbinson is an esports author specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports Information UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.
