Natus Vincere, commonly known as NAVI, translates to "born to win" in Latin. This Ukrainian esports organization, based in Kyiv, has become a formidable presence in the esports world, particularly in Counter-Strike. Since its inception in 2009, NAVI has consistently demonstrated excellence and resilience, making a significant mark on the global esports scene.
Formation and Early Years (2009-2010)
During the Intel Extreme Masters event in Dubai in October 2009, Murat "Arbalet" Zhumashevich announced the formation of a new esports company. The first roster was assembled with the help of Serhii "Starix" Ishchuk, a veteran Counter-Strike player, and Arbalet, who was in charge of providing the necessary financial backing. Members such as Starix, Arsenii "ceh9" Trynozhenko, Danylo "Zeus" Teslenko, Ioan "Edward" Sukhariev, Yehor "Markeloff" Markelov, and others helped launch Natus Vincere, formerly known as Arbalet UA, on December 17, 2009. The character's full name was chosen via a fan competition. However, the acronym Na'Vi was inspired by the movie Avatar.
Within the esports community, NAVI quickly became well-known. The squad came in second place at the prestigious Arbalet Cup Europe 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden, in May 2010. A first significant triumph at ESWC Ukraine propelled them into the limelight almost quickly after they arrived. After defeating SK Gaming in the 2010 European Super League final on July 4, NAVI became the first team from the Commonwealth of Independent States to ever win the championship.
Not content to stop there, NAVI went on to win the Intel Extreme Masters Shanghai, take third place at GameGune 2010, and top the Arbalet Cup Dallas. After being the first team ever to win the IEM, ESWC, and WCG all at the same time in October 2010, they made history at the World Cyber Games. By winning DreamHack Winter 2010, NAVI ended the year on a high note, setting a new record for the most prize money won by a single team in a year.
Rise to Prominence (2011-2016)
At the 2011 Intel Extreme Masters in Hannover, NAVI maintained its dominance and won the championship. Although the club had a successful year, it nonetheless faced challenges, including losing key players and having to reorganize internally.
In 2015, NAVI accomplished a great deal, and in 2016, it accomplished even more. Both the Intel Extreme Masters Season X-San Jose and the DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015 tournaments saw them reach the finals. Among NAVI's many impressive 2016 accomplishments are their victories at DreamHack Leipzig and other important competitions. However, Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev's addition to the lineup in August 2016 was the most noteworthy alteration. With this transfer, S1mple began a new era for the club, and he quickly became one of the most notable players in NAVI team history.
Once NAVI recruited s1mple, they dominated ESL One: New York 2016 and went on to win a slew of other major tournaments. In spite of highs and lows over those years, NAVI remained one of the world's top teams, thanks to their determination and flexibility.
Challenges and Resilience (2017-2020)
The period from 2017 to 2020 was one of challenges and significant changes for NAVI. The team experienced several roster changes and faced stiff competition from emerging global esports teams. In 2017, team coach Starix stepped down and was replaced by Andrii "Andi" Prokhorov. The departures of Denis "Seized" Kostin and Ladislav "GuardiaN" Kovács led to the return of Zeus and the addition of Denis "Electronic" Sharipov in 2017, which rejuvenated the lineup.
Despite the changes, NAVI achieved considerable success. They won ESL One Cologne 2018 and continued to be formidable competitors in various tournaments. However, internal and external pressures, as well as the evolving esports landscape, posed constant challenges. The organization's resilience was evident as they adapted to these changes while maintaining competitive performance.
Golden Era and Global Success (2021-2022)
Winning their first CS Major triumph in the PGL Major Stockholm 2021 against G2 Esports marked the beginning of NAVI's golden period. With this win, they cemented their position as one of the top teams in the world. In addition, NAVI finished the Intel Grand Slam, demonstrating its supremacy in a number of major competitions.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine did not derail NAVI's 2022 success. They triumphed in the Blast Spring Final and advanced to yet another Major final in Antwerp. The group made its support for Ukraine clear by severing links with its Russian holding company, ESForce. NAVI showed their resiliency and dedication to excellence by continuing to perform at a high level despite the challenging circumstances.
Adaptation and Growth (2023-Present)
In 2023, NAVI underwent a substantial makeover, which resulted in the unveiling of a new foreign squad. The lineup included s1mple and Valerii "b1t" Vakhovskyi, as well as the Finnish in-game captain Aleksi "Aleksib" Virolainen, the Lithuanian Justinas "jL" Lekavicius, and the Romanian Mihai "iM" Ivan. When this new team was first put together, it encountered some difficulties, but it rapidly demonstrated its promise by making it to the final of the ESL Pro League Season 18.
Following Sample's announcement that they would be taking a sabbatical from competitive play, Ihor "wonderful" Zhdanov was added to the roster of currently active players. NAVI continued to display its strength by winning the PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024, despite the alterations that were made. Not only did this triumph demonstrate their overwhelming supremacy in CS2, but it also highlighted the potential of their newly assembled international roster.
Despite the fact that they are still competing at the highest level, NAVI's prospects continue to be positive. A steadfast dedication to greatness, resiliency in the face of setbacks, and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of esports are all characteristics that the organization has demonstrated. The NAVI team is well positioned to continue to be a dominant force in the world of esports, thanks to their formidable lineup and long history of success.
NAVI's journey from a fledgling organization in 2009 to a global esports powerhouse is a testament to its resilience, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Their rich history, marked by numerous championships and iconic players, has solidified their legacy in the world of esports. As NAVI continues to evolve and embrace new challenges, its story remains a source of inspiration for fans and aspiring esports professionals worldwide.