Less than a week before the start of the Kode5 US regional finals, eMazing Gaming announced the acquisition of x3o's Jordan "n0thing" Gilbert. After eMg's third place finish in CEVO's 7th season, and failure to get out of group play at this past weekend's Gamestation local event, the team saw the need to make some changes. That said, both Matthew "lim" Beahan and Robert "Ph0bius" Irey will be stepping down from the starting five.

According to eMg's team leader Nazar "steno" Vynnytsky, the team was struggling with some chemistry issues both in and out of game. Beahan was unable to attend WCG and Extreme Masters LA, which was detrimental to the team once they returned from those events. "We felt that changes needed to be made, because our chemistry hasn't been the same as it once was, and our goal as a team is to be #1 and I felt like this is our best opportunity to do so," Vynnytsky said.

Chemsitry and inactivity was also to blame for Irey's removal from the starting five. "Ph0bius is a great friend and teammate, but we as a team aren't on the same page anymore so he will be going inactive and doing his own thing," Vynnytsky elaborated.

That said, the west coast star will be joining immediately, and accompanying the team to the Kode5 event this weekend. This comes a mere two months after Gilbert joined the then, Turmoil squad. "Jordan is a player I've always wanted on my team and all of us have very similar play-styles so I see this working out really well," said Vynnytsky.

With Gilbert leaving for eMg, x3o has now been placed in a difficult position for this weekend's Kode5 US Regionals. The team missed out on WCG this year, when they were forced to use a ringer at that qualifier, something that worries team co-captain Matt “PaTyoJoN” Iantosca. "It pretty much feels like the same situation we were in before WCG USA finals, having to use a last minute 5th," he said.

As there are only six days left before the start of the tournament, x3o is scrambling to find a suitable replacement. "Right now were just trying to find a quick replacement since the tournament is in only a few days, but after that yes we are looking to find a full-time ," said Iantosca. He also commented on Gilbert's sudden departure by saying, "We had warnings that Jordan was bad news from the start, but we thought everyone was wrong."

Although Gilbert's decision to join eMg seems impulsive, he says the decision stems from months of indecision. "eMg had approached me about joining right before I had made the decision to join Turmoil back in November," Gilbert said. "Ever since then I have been contemplating on whether I was going to join eMg or continue with x3o in 08. I've been hesitant on what I was going to do for reasons like distance between each other (eMg being all from New York), and if I'd get along with the players as people outside of the game. After talking with the team for awhile, I am confident that we will be good friends in and out of game. As far as x3o goes, all of them are great guys, but the team chemistry just wasn't there for me. My best wishes go to NickFitz and x3o."

While x3o manager Nick Fitz shares his best wishes for Gilbert, he was also stunned by the decision. "To say that I was surprised with this decision of Jordan's is an understatement," he said. "He gave his teammates and myself no notice, and is leaving only one week before a major LAN event," he continues. "Jordan is a talented player however in the end this is his loss."

In addition to adding Gilbert, Kevin "aZn" Wang will be filling in temporarily for Kode5. Wang is fresh off a stint with the CGS team, the Dallas Venom. He will be filling in at Kode5 on a temporary basis, his future with the team still undecided. "As far as Kevin going with us, we've all played against him and with him before and he was always the player everyone wanted to have on the team, but the skill gaps were still there, so after him going to the CGS, then having his split with them, and at the same time us making it to the top, it was only natural for him to reunite with his former teammates and friends," Vynnytsky remarked.

Vynnytsky is confident in his decision to shake up the team's roster. He seems to be extremely satisfied with the team he is bringing to Kode5 US. "With this lineup we have three things I've always wanted: #1 Similar play-style, #2 Similar goals, and #3 friendship."

With these changes, x3o and eMg's rosters are:

eMg
Nazar “steno” Vynnytsky
Michael “Che” Guevara
Scott “evolution” Cavallero
Jordan “n0thing” Gilbert
Kevin “aZn” Wang (temporary stand in)

x3o
Ediz "goodfornothing" Basol
Derrick "impulsive" Truong
Dan "mehLer" Mehler
Matt "PaTyoJoN" Iantosca

You can find eMg's press release on page two.