ASUS unveils ROG Academy Season 10 to empower India’s future esports stars in CS:2

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced the launch of the highly anticipated Season 10 of the ROG Academy to nurture India’s top talents in Counter Strike 2 (CS2) and offer them a platform to excel.

ROG Academy is India’s first-of-its-kind and longest-running esports incubator program designed to help aspiring esports professionals succeed by providing the resources, infrastructure, and expertise needed to turn their passion into a career. The program features a detailed curriculum created by industry experts that covers essential areas like communication, individual skills, and teamwork.

Registration for Season 10 has begun. After this, shortlisted candidates will undergo tryouts, which include in-game assessments, expert interviews, and psychometric tests. Six chosen players will join the program, where they will sign contracts with the ROG Team and receive a monthly stipend, compensation for internet bills, high-end ROG gears for remote practice.

Players will receive intensive training from a dedicated coach, focusing on game mechanics, teamwork, and competitive play. Upon successful completion, they will be awarded a Certificate of Completion and an ex-gratia payment of INR 1 lakh.

The ROG Academy also hosts guest sessions on an array of topics. Some of these have been sports psychology, PR, and esports management during the previous seasons. Additionally, players will gain competitive experience through tournament participation, enhancing their exposure and opportunities in the gaming community.

Expressing his excitement ahead of the new season, Arnold Su, Vice President, Consumer and Gaming PC, System Business Group, ASUS India, “ASUS ROG Academy has consistently been at the forefront of nurturing esports talent in India. Our extensive training program, combined with industry expertise and competitive opportunities, has effectively prepared participants for successful careers in esports over nine consecutive seasons across various titles. We are delighted to continue this tradition with Season 10, providing a robust platform for aspiring gamers to refine their skills in Counter Strike 2. As esports continues to grow in India and make its way into the Olympics, we eagerly anticipate witnessing the next generation of esports professionals emerge from this initiative in the future.”

Since its launch, ASUS ROG Academy has garnered over 15,000 registrations and trained 54 players across nine seasons. Over 15 of these players have secured positions with top tier organisations. Last season, the academy’s players competed in 21 tournaments, including the Dust2 India – 1xBet Cup Open Qualifier, Sky Championship India Qualifier, and ESL Challenger Jonkoping – Asia Qualifier, achieving quarterfinal and semifinal placements in several events.

Additionally, talents like Gourav “Rayzer” Panwar and Anirudh “ChAmP” Aurange secured placements in the prominent team Victores Sumus (formerly 2EZ Gaming). The season also included insightful guest sessions from Dr. Michelle Pain, a sports psychologist with Global Esports, and Peter “casle” Ardenskjold, coach of Gaimin Gladiators, who shared valuable expertise on mental fitness, gameplay enhancement, and communication.

As ASUS ROG Academy continues to pave the way for the future of esports in India, aspiring gamers are encouraged to register for Season 10 and take the first step towards a professional esports career.