FoF: The Final Season - Part 1
This will be the final year of Friend or Foe Esports
Final Year Statement - Chris Sunga
Good day, Friend or Foe family. It is with a heavy and grateful heart that I have decided to conclude our Friend or Foe tournaments by the end of 2023. This means that this will be the final year of FoF Esports events. I have enjoyed working with every single one of you and greatly appreciate everyone’s participation in my project. I did not expect to be in my position three years ago, and I am forever thankful for your support. You are all amazing and beautiful human beings and the community has been extremely supportive and welcoming. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone in Friend or Foe.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. This decision does not come lightly, and I currently find myself struggling to explain why I would like to end it in this way. For the past four months, I have attempted to garner the words necessary to describe how I felt about FoF’s timeline, and truthfully, I still don’t think I have the correct words. I think the end point that matters most is that I find myself struggling to be happy with what I’ve created as I battle with the anxiety of pleasing the strangers that surround me. I am not built, nor am I mature enough, to be some “CEO” of a tournament series. I just make cool shit. That’s all I am and that’s who I want to be. Personally, I have felt that the events that transpired in FFS6 Mythic was… not worth it. This realization has caused me to reflect back upon the past three years.
Although FoF is very small, and I doubt a lot of people in the higher “Esports-sphere” know about all of this, I firmly believe that the highs and lows that occurred to me within the past three years were “a taste” of what could be if I keep going. Look, let me give it to you guys straight - you know what’s weird? I can genuinely say, “random French-Canadians from Quebec conspired to cheat in my for-free charity project”. I can also genuinely say, “punk high school kids gaslit me into thinking FoF was good for students and then cheated in the following season”. I can even say, “I got LCS casters playing in my show! They hated it and silent-protested it!”. Like, bruh… These were not sentences I expected to be able to say as true facts in my life, and I hate that I must continue knowing that these events existed. I’m sure we can all agree that tough moments like the above are what makes or breaks an owner or CEO. Well, maybe we shouldn’t put our eggs in the basket of a 27-year-old kid, LARPing as a CEO, because trust me, I don’t think he can handle it.
Every day I have worked on Friend or Foe, I have always prayed that I can eventually say “it was all worth it”. I have lost friends, job opportunities, assets, and resources, been stabbed in the back, been given shitty contracts that a 12-year-old could have written, and I even told my parents that I was sure I could figure this all out if they just gave me enough time. Well, I think time is running out… And I don’t think I have enough answers to justify Friend or Foe’s existence. I don’t think it’s worth it for serious players to compete in my show, as the rewards do not equate to those from higher, more reputable tournament series. I also do not think it is worth it for investors to look at Friend or Foe, as the actual business model of organizations like this do not result in an acceptable return on investment. I don’t think I have it in me to be “the best league” or “the best amateur org” or whatever… I’m not here to find solutions to problems that no other organization has thought of. I’m not here to be some Esports influencer or something, and I am especially not here to “change the game” or do something that changes your lives. I’m just a kid who sometimes gets lucky.
However, it would be unfair if I didn’t also admit: I have made a lot of new friends, assisted with job opportunities for my friends, made my own assets and resources, got justice for some of those who backstabbed me, learned how to differentiate contracts, and even though I’m not bringing the income they wanted, my parents love my art. I realize my statement is fairly negative, but there were definitely positives throughout my journey. I do not regret making Friend or Foe for even a second. It was a lot of fun. I learned so much and am a more powerful artist than I have ever been. Those who are still here have shown me an overwhelming amount of support and for that I am eternally grateful. However, this will be where I mark the ending for our time together. 2023 will host the final Friend or Foe Season and events and after that… I would like to move on with my life. Whatever that even means.
I don’t think this statement fully discloses how I feel about everything, but I hope to make a video explaining it all when I am ready.
So, what happens next?
Listed to the side and at the bottom of this page will be loose dates of our timeline for the first part of the year. As I had announced in the last Friend or Foe Connect, FFS7 will be in the Summer. Additionally we will be doing a lot of “mini-events” throughout the year purely for fun and to give short opportunities to players who may not be able to participate in the proper FFS season. More details of the events later in the year will be revealed as we get closer to it. I have projects spanning the whole year, so there’s lots to do!
After 2023, when this is all over, I would like to be a production and design artist available for hire for any brands, esports or non-esports. I will use the events in 2023 to showcase what I can do and add to my portfolio. I intend to show you all what I can really create. Not to be overdramatic, but I must admit, I firmly believe that I’ve only shown you 20% of what I can really make. Truthfully, FoF is too under budget to justify me going any higher than 20%. However, as you all know, I am very good at doing things with no money. Only time will tell, but I promise to give you the greatest final year to the best of my ability.
Finally, I would like to leave you all with a few final words before the year begins.
To all my volunteer-staff - No words can describe how thankful I am for your support. When this is all over, I intend to invest into your futures. Any resources and support you need from me will be given to you without question. Whether you intend to stay in Esports or not - you have my absolute support and I will do anything to help you pursue your dreams, for you have allowed me to follow mine.
To all players - Your participation genuinely means a lot to me. Admittedly, it felt very validating to feel like people wanted to be part of what I was making. I don’t think any artist wants anything more than just somebody to “want” what they make. This feeling you’ve given me is unmatched. Thank you very much.
To a very specific group of people - Friend or Foe is not for sale. Neither are its assets. The time and effort spent in creating this does not have a monetary value. You can hire all of us, but you cannot buy. If the time comes or is ever right, my efforts will be gifted to one who has shown the same amount of time and effort as well as immense compassion and kindness for those around them.
To my friends who I’ve lost and are still here - Thank you for everything. Best of luck.
With love, Christopher Sunga
Creator of Friend or Foe Esports
Final Season: Part 1 - Projected Events
Road to Heroic - League of Legends
Tournament Info: Here
Dates: March 6, 7, and 10
Fade or Foe - Valorant
Tournament Info: Here
Dates: March 18 and 19
Captain’s Draft (all ranks allowed) - League of Legends
Tournament Info: TBA on March 3rd
Dates: TBA
New Game ??? - ?????
Tournament Info: TBA
Dates: Mid-April
Heroic-level Tournament - League of Legends
Tournament Info: TBA
Dates: Early May
Friend or Foe Season 7
Sign-ups will open: April, 2023