Budding new multiplayer battle arena Heroes of the Storm just entered its closed beta, but it’s already got a growing esports scene.
Fnatic, one of esports’ elder franchises, sent a pickup team to BlizzCon featuring a few Heroes of the Storm stalwarts and some pro gamer ringers like StarCraft 2’s Johan “NaNiwa” Lucchesi.
Today they added a full Heroes lineup, picking up one of Europe’s top teams, mYinsanity.
Today we welcome a new squad! Meet #FNATIC Heroes of the Storm! http://t.co/4FLLHSdJi5 pic.twitter.com/SQjFZxzxs5
— FNATIC (@FNATIC) January 14, 2015
The new lineup features two returning members from Fnatic’s BlizzCon lineup, Cristian “Ace of Spades” Lippa and Joaquim “Lowell” Fitas. Joining the pair in Fnatic are their three mYinsanity teammates, Jeremy ”Shinobu” Autore, Frédéric ”Fredzw” Roth, and Riccardo “Kesil” Archetti.
“Fnatic has an incredible reputation in Esports,” Lippa said in the announcement. “And I understand why after working with them for BlizzCon 2014. They are fair and very professional, I couldn’t be happier about joining the team.”
Lippa himself has an incredible reputation as one of the most knowledgeable captains in the Heroes competitive scene, leading his team to much success in the game’s early competitive history.
While Heroes of the Storm is still invite-only, it’s developed quite the competitive scene, featuring regular online competitions and leagues. With the release of the closed beta and the addition of custom games and a ranked ladder, the esports side of Heroes is only set to grow.
You can watch the new team in action from last month’s Go4Heroes Monthly final against Spanish team El Nexo, which features legendary Warcraft 3 and StarCraft 2 pro Pedro “LucifroN” Moreno Durán and his younger brother, also a successful StarCraft 2 player, Juan “VortiX” Moreno Durán.
The match showcases much of what Heroes has to offer in a close three-game series.
Fnatic ultimately falls in the third map, but that likely won’t become a habit. One of esports’ most successful franchises certainly doesn’t think so.
Image via Heroes of the Storm/YouTube
