Los Angeles, CA – March 7, 2024 – Cloud9 has announced the departure of Maxim “wippie” Shepelev from their VALORANT roster, marking the second consecutive year the organization has made an early roster change in the VCT season. Wippie, a Russian player signed in the offseason, leaves after just three regular season matches in the VCT Americas 2024 season.

This move comes as a surprise to many, as Cloud9 was expected to contend for the top spots in the region. The team struggled in their opening matches, however, failing to secure a single victory. While the specific reasoning behind wippie’s release remains undisclosed, speculation suggests the team may be looking for a different playstyle or individual skillset to improve their performance.

“We want to thank wippie for his contributions to the team,” Cloud9 said in a statement. “We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Cloud9 has not yet announced a replacement for wippie, leaving a vacancy in their starting lineup. This sudden roster change throws the team’s VCT aspirations into question and raises concerns about their overall stability. With the season still in its early stages, Cloud9 has time to regroup and find a suitable replacement. However, the pressure is now on to make a quick decision that will determine the trajectory of their competitive campaign.

The VALORANT community is eagerly awaiting further information from Cloud9 regarding the reasons behind wippie’s release and the team’s plans for the vacant roster spot. This development adds another layer of intrigue to the VCT Americas season, as fans anticipate how Cloud9 will respond to this unexpected challenge.