As a regular esports enthusiast who’s been glued to my screen since the early days of competitive gaming, I’ve seen plenty of orgs rise and fall. But few stories hit me quite like the rollercoaster ride of Red Reserve. Back in 2020, when the news broke that they were making a comeback under fresh management, I remember thinking, "No cap, is this for real?" After the mess of 2019, where they were accused of stiffing players on payments and their future looked deader than a ranked lobby at 4 a.m., I was skeptical. Yet here we are in 2026, and Red Reserve is still kicking, stronger than ever. Let’s dive into that pivotal moment—their 2020 relaunch—and how it all went down, from the eyes of a fan who’s been watching every step.

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The Fall and the Glow-Up

Before the comeback, Red Reserve was in the trenches. 2019 was a straight-up disaster—whispers (and then outright shouts) about unpaid players had the community side-eyeing the org hard. The brand that once held promise had become a cautionary tale. Trust was shattered, and honestly? I figured they were done. Esports moves fast, and when you burn bridges, you usually don’t get a second chance. But then February 2020 rolled around, and suddenly my Twitter feed was buzzing with the news: Red Reserve had new management and they were back in the game. On the real, I had to pinch myself. The org announced headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and they weren’t just talking—they were dropping squads.

First Rebuild: The PUBG Mobile Squad

The first big flex was the signing of a North American PUBG Mobile team. Now, PUBG Mobile esports was already popping off back then, and Red Reserve jumping in with a competitive NA roster was a power move. Jacob Street, the co-owner, couldn’t hide his excitement: “We are really delighted to welcome our latest line up from NA. This team has performed so well in the last PMCO and we are excited to help this team develop and take the next steps.” The PUBG Mobile Club Open (PMCO) was no joke, and placing high there meant these players had the skills. The roster’s identity wasn’t fully detailed in public drops, but you could feel the energy—they were a grind-heavy squad, ready to put Red Reserve back on the map. For a fan like me, seeing them invest in a title that was trending but still growing felt both bold and necessary.

The Call of Duty: Mobile Entry

If the PUBG signing was the appetizer, the Call of Duty: Mobile team announcement was the main course. CoD:M was exploding in the competitive scene, and Red Reserve snatched up a squad that had been making waves under the name Status Quo. This team had a global vibe—players from North America and the UK, with Miney repping the British side. Kim Alden, the CEO, beamed: “This is our first step back into the Call Of Duty world and we couldn’t have gained a better team than this.” They were among the top dogs in the COD:M NA Pro League, sitting at Position 3 in the CPL at the time.

The captain, Image, dropped the full origin story: “Our team was founded in November 2019. The founders — Image, Miney, Beamed and Adaptx — originally formed the team to play competitive Call of Duty: Mobile to avoid hackers that ruined the ranked matches during that time. As the team progressed and grew in the competitive scene, we managed to attract talented players to progress even further. The addition of Clout, Aerith, and Leon has made our team more efficient in terms of our daily practices and tournament performances. At this time we are currently Position 3 for the CPL in North America with our sights set on attaining Position 1. We will undoubtedly strive for greatness as we begin our journey with Red Reserve.”

That statement alone sold me. It wasn’t just a pickup; it was a crew with history, goals, and a legit reason to form—escaping hacker-infested ranked matches. Relatable much?

Here’s the full CoD Mobile lineup:

Player Id Role Region
Image Captain North America
Miney Player UK
Beamed Player North America
Adaptx Player North America
Clout Player North America
Aerith Player North America
Leon Player North America

Rebuilding Trust, One Season at a Time

What really struck me was the org’s transparency. Jacob Street laid it bare: “We are going out of our way to rebuild Red Reserve in the correct way, and to rebuild trust within the esports community.” That hit different. After the 2019 fiasco, they could’ve just faded. Instead, they came out swinging with accountability and a focus on proper management. The community was understandably side-eyeing, but these words were backed by action—paying players on time, supporting their rosters, and communicating openly.

As a regular viewer, I started following their journey. The PUBG Mobile squad competed fiercely, often pulling off clutch plays that had my jaw dropping. The CoD Mobile team climbed the CPL ladder, and that Position 1 they aimed for? They didn’t just talk—they eventually snatched it later that year. The synergy between Image’s squad was electric, and their YouTube/twitch streams became daily watches for me. Over time, the skepticism melted away. Red Reserve was actually doing the damn thing.

Six Years Later: The Legacy

Fast forward to 2026, and Red Reserve is a household name. They’ve expanded into VALORANT, League of Legends, and even Apex Legends, maintaining that same core value of treating players right. The Dublin headquarters has become a hub for European esports talent. Looking back at that 2020 moment, it’s clear that the relaunch wasn’t just a PR stunt—it was the foundation of everything that followed. The org learned from its past, and as a fan, I’m grateful they proved that second chances are possible in esports if you’re willing to put in the work.

So to any org out there struggling with reputation: take notes from Red Reserve’s playbook. Own your mistakes, bring in fresh leadership, sign hungry teams, and let your actions do the talking. For the rest of us non-pros grinding ranked after work, it’s a reminder that comebacks are real. Game on. :fire: