Carnival Gaming has decided to shut down their esports operations, so let’s get to know what happened and why they decided to do so.
Carnival Gaming, owned by Omkar Chanduge, entered the esports world early this year in January 2024. They had big plans and even signed some popular players, hoping to make a strong mark. But after just 11 months, on November 8, 2024, they announced they were closing down their esports division. So, what went wrong?
Carnival Gaming and their Esports Journey
Carnival Gaming started off by signing former players from S8UL Esports, a well-known name in the BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) scene. They brought in fan-favorites like Goblin, Omega, and Hector to build a strong team. These players had already shown their talent in other teams, so fans were excited to see what they could do together under Carnival Gaming. The team added more players over time, including Neyo from GodLike Esports, Spower from S8UL Esports, and Shogun from MOGO Esports. Together, they aimed to win big tournaments and make a name for themselves.
Even with this talented lineup, Carnival Gaming struggled to deliver the big victories they were aiming for. They did win a few smaller tournaments, like the Lidoma Masters Showdown, Rising Star Season 3, and Nahos GAMEON Cup, but those were just minor events. When it came to the high-stakes tournaments, Carnival couldn’t quite reach the top. For example, in the BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2024, they couldn’t make it to the Grand Finals, which was a big disappointment. They also placed only 15th in the BGIS 2024 tournament, earning a small prize but not the kind of success that would keep them going. And while they finished fourth in the BGMI Masters Series Season 3, they missed out on the trophy by losing in the last few matches.
Carnival Gaming didn’t just stick to BGMI. They also tried their luck in other games like Valorant, Free Fire Max, and Counter-Strike 2. But unfortunately, these teams didn’t achieve much either. Without big wins, it’s hard for any esports organization to keep running, as success in tournaments is what keeps sponsors interested and helps fund the teams.
The Final Announcement on Carnival Gaming’s Esports Closer
On November 8, Carnival Gaming posted a video on their social media announcing their decision to close down. They thanked fans and everyone who supported them throughout their journey. Their message was heartfelt, saying, “With heavy hearts, we announce the closure of Carnival Gaming. It has been an incredible journey, and we are thankful to everyone who contributed to our story. Your support has meant the world to us.” They even featured special moments with their team members in the announcement video, which was an emotional goodbye for fans.
Why Carnival Gaming Had to Leave
Running an esports organization can be very challenging, especially when there’s no steady success in big tournaments. Carnival Gaming tried to make it work in different games, but without major wins, it’s tough to keep going. In the BGMI scene, Carnival Gaming became the 19th team to exit, following other popular teams like Team 8Bit and Global Esports, who also decided to pause their esports operations.
For fans, this is the end of seeing Carnival Gaming in tournaments, and it’s uncertain where the players will head next.
As of now, the players from Carnival Gaming haven’t announced which teams they’ll join for the next season. But since they are well-known athletes, it’s likely that other esports teams will be interested in signing them. Many of these players, like Goblin and Hector, have a strong fan following, so fans will definitely keep an eye out for their next moves.
In short, Carnival Gaming gave it their best shot for 11 months, but without the big wins, they couldn’t keep going. Now, fans can only wait to see what new adventures lie ahead for their favorite players in 2025.