"I felt overwhelmed by my responsibilities, so we tried redistributing them" arT opens up about role changes and challenges at FURIA

The story of FURIA has Andrei "arT" Piovezan name mentioned all over the plance. Having served as the In-Game Leader (IGL) since 2018, arT recently stepped aside from this role, paving the way for the arrival of Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo. In 2023, a year marked by profound shifts in his career, arT gave an interview where he opened up about many things. He discussed FalleN's integration, his transition from the IGL position, and how he copes with the relentless pressure from both the media and fans.

The burden of leadership

To arT, being the captain was never a matter of ego. As the helmsman of any team, the IGL inevitably shoulders numerous responsibilities. After a stinging defeat to EG Black at the BLAST Premier Spring Showdown, the team began to share the captain's armband. arT explained:

"We had tried altering strategies, tactics, even adopting a slower pace. Following that clash with EG Black, it was a suggestion from both myself and guerri to rotate captaincy between maps. I was drowning in my roles, and there wasn't a strong second voice to support me. Drop handled this role well, but he was a young player, less experienced, and the weight was taking a toll on him, not to mention the hate he received."

He emphasized that the decision was team-made even before discussions with FalleN:

"I felt overwhelmed by my responsibilities, so we tried redistributing them, seeking alternative avenues for improvement. I hadn't held the captaincy since the EG Black game."

arT clarified that this change had personal repercussions, affecting his adaptation rather than his pride. Nonetheless, he recognized the need to address this situation adeptly

"I don't possess 'pride' or ego in being the captain. I have a relentless desire to win. So, there are moments when I'm not the captain, and I feel somewhat powerless. Coping with this feeling of powerlessness is a personal challenge."

Under arT's leadership, FURIA managed to go long distances, but never won a significant title (credits: ESL)

Read also: fer reveals FalleN didn't trust him for Furia project

Transfer of performance and evolving numbers for arT

Since relinquishing the mantle of IGL, arT has participated in six tournaments, and in four of them, he achieved a positive rating. He believes this transition didn't necessarily result in an across-the-board improvement in his performance but rather a reallocation of responsibilities.

"It's somewhat misleading. In certain scenarios, I'm now securing frags that KSCERATO or yuurih would typically get. This isn't an overall performance boost; it's a transfer of performance. I'm assuming slightly more passive roles on specific maps and adopting more of a lurking style."

arT analyzed that improved statistics are a natural outcome since he can now immerse himself more deeply in his gameplay during rounds, which also bolsters his psychological resilience:

"My numbers have improved on many maps where I previously had to devote substantial thought to mid-round situations. Some maps required me to cease my usual actions and manage the game, keep track of everyone's positions, and assess our resources. Thus, from that standpoint and in terms of psychology, we're more composed. This leads to additional eliminations and impact that I couldn't have achieved before."

He also critiqued how both the media and the community scrutinize K/D (kill-death) ratios, underscoring that despite no longer being the IGL, he has too much experience to obsess over this metric. He highlighted his role in enabling FURIA's star player to shine:

"Do you think I'd jump into Inferno's middle and say, 'KS, step aside because I'm 3/10, and I want to trade you'? No, I wouldn't. Whether I'm at 3/10 or 0/10, I'd leap into Inferno's middle to ensure KSCERATO secures the kills, just as karrigan would for ropz. This mentality ends up affecting K/D."

Furia roster with Fallen and Chelo are still blending together (credits: Furia)

Read also: FalleN and chelo join FURIA to form a Brazilian Supersquad

Coping with fan criticism in 2023

The first half of 2023 proved to be a tumultuous period for FURIA. They faced harsh eliminations at IEM Katowice and the BLAST Showdown and delivered a lackluster performance in the latest CS:GO Major. According to arT, 2023 marked the first year where fan comments and hate started to influence his in-game performance. However, he shared how he managed to overcome this challenging situation:

"This year, it got to me a bit because there were moments in the game where I contemplated making a certain move, perhaps more aggressively, and I'd hesitate, thinking, 'What if I do this and get eliminated quickly?' These thoughts come and go swiftly. When you're in this situation, the most critical thing is to try and ignore it as much as possible and pretend that nothing matters. Because if you begin pondering what people might say or are saying..."

He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between constructive criticism and hate. For him, the most significant feedback comes from within the team:

"What matters to me is the discussions within our team. Whether what I'm doing is effective, right, impactful, or not. So, for me, these internal conversations hold much more value than the opinions of individuals aiming to spread hate or generate content."

Ultimately, the former captain of FURIA expressed that he's mature enough not to be perturbed by certain matters, and FalleN's arrival won't alter his aggressive playing style. What truly matters is the team's triumph.

arT knows how much is expected from him and whole FURIA squad (credits: ESL)

Read also: FURIA: art talks about Fallen's leadership

Conclusion

As arT's CS:GO journey unfolds, the story of FURIA continues to be written, chapter by chapter. With the weight of leadership no longer on his shoulders and a newfound adaptability, arT remains steadfast in his pursuit of what truly matters: victory and his contribution to the team's triumph. The world of competitive gaming is ever-evolving, and the next chapter in arT's career promises to be just as exciting as the last. Stay tuned in Strafe for more information on CSGO and Furia.

Featured image credits: ESL