Update: ODEE has now joined UK-based PC system seller Scan Computers as director of gaming and esports.
Original article:
UK esports OG Michael ‘ODEE’ O’Dell has been let go from his position as London Royal Ravens managing director and chief gaming officer at Ravens’ parent company Infinite Reality.
In sudden and unexpected news, Royal Ravens’ streamers have also been let go immediately.
Ravens streamers Jukeyz and Angelika have had their contracts terminated immediately – Esports News UK understands they received an email at midnight last night informing them they were being let go. This is just a few days before the World Series of Warzone is due to begin.
Both streamers thanked the Royal Ravens and said they’re now looking for new esports organisations to represent.
ODEE and the streamers have removed mention of the Ravens and Infinite Reality from their Twitter bios, as has Ravens co-owner Vikkstar.
While ODEE wasn’t able to share the full specifics around why he’s departed, he confirmed to Esports News UK he was let go and said he’s now looking for another position in esports.
“I want to work in esports, so if you’re interested in [hiring] someone with my experience, come and get me!”
ODEE
We’re sure he won’t have any trouble finding new work – he received several offers after ODEE left the organisation he founded – Dignitas – back in 2019.
The news is a shock and sudden given the fact that ODEE was recently talking to us excitedly about Infinite Reality’s plans, the amazing studios they have in the US, what the metaverse can do and more. And now, this.
No Royal Ravens players have commented on the situation publicly, and the Royal Ravens Twitter account hasn’t posted for a week.
Update: The Ravens account has thanked ODEE and its former streamers here:
News credit to The Rotation and Jacob Hale for early reports of this developing story.
What does this all mean for the future of London Royal Ravens? Is a rebrand on the cards?
We’ve heard a few sweeping rumours, but before we get onto them, let’s look at the history of the Ravens for context.
The London Royal Ravens is a franchise team in the Call of Duty League. While they represent the UK, their players are based in the US.
The Royal Ravens were first announced in late 2019 by parent company Rektglobal and hosted a Royal Ravens live CoD event in the UK, prior to the pandemic.
Metaverse company Infinite Reality acquired Rektglobal for some $470m last year, making them the owner of esports brands like the London Royal Ravens and Rogue, and other companies like FullCube, TalentX and Greenlit Content.
Rogue also struck a partnership with Koi last year.
There were plans to float on the Dow Jones stock market, however one source close to the matter told Esports News UK the ongoing situation around Faze Clan has lowered the confidence of some within Infinite Reality around the long-term viability of floating.
Today’s news also comes after Rektglobal co-founder and CEO Dave Bialek recently left the business, and after the Call of Duty League returned to YouTube on a non-exclusive basis.
One rumour we were unable to verify at the time of publishing this article is that the Royal Ravens brand may be disappearing. One source said Royal Ravens may be rebranded to Koi Madrid.
We’ll continue to investigate and will update this article with any further information or clarification we receive. We have also reached out to Infinite Reality for comment.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
