Over the past few years, the Polish Counter-Strike 2 underground scene has seen the emergence of numerous projects aiming to create a dedicated space for amateur teams, players and organisations. One of the most recognisable figures in this scene was Ta1nz – the founder and a key figure associated successively with Hevind eSports, Gloris eSports and Underground CS2.
From the very beginning, his activities were firmly rooted in the ‘underground’ scene. That is, the amateur esports scene, operating alongside the more official tournament structures. The projects he created or co-founded shared a common goal… to provide a space for teams seeking more than just casual line-ups on matchmaking.
With the development of Gloris eSports and, later, Underground CS2, Ta1nz became one of the most distinctive figures in this scene. However, there was no shortage of challenges. These ranged from staffing issues when organising tournaments, through conflicts within the community, to the activities of rival projects.
Today, in the face of changes and his gradual withdrawal from the active running of the organisation, Ta1nz reflects on his journey, his experiences and the inner workings of the Polish CS2 underground scene.
[R] How do you look back on the early days of the Red Underground and building the community practically from scratch?
Of course, the early days were difficult, but the novelty factor helped us a great deal, as did a certain weariness within the Clutch Masters community. The partnerships we quickly established with other organisations also proved crucial; by working with us, they lent us credibility in a sense and gave the project a huge boost for further development.
[R] In your view, what set UNDERGROUND apart from other projects?
What particularly set us apart – and continues to do so – is, above all, a clearly defined target audience. We never focused specifically on casual CS2 players or the ‘masses’ in the broadest sense. From the very beginning, our priority has been amateur esports, as well as teams and players who were looking for something more than just a team ‘for a single Faceit tournament’.
[R] What were the biggest challenges in running such a large community?
The biggest challenge was definitely staff shortages, particularly when organising tournaments such as Summit Clash or the Ground Games Cup. Events like these require a lot of people to work on them and a huge amount of commitment. Furthermore, the situation wasn’t made any easier by the competition and those associated with it. The destruction of our server, which we’d spent over half a year building, was a very painful blow for us.
[R] Apart from Underground, you’ve also been involved in projects such as Gloris eSports and Hevind eSports — what did you learn from these experiences?
These experiences taught me a great deal. During my time at Hevind Esports, I got too involved in certain matters and sometimes forgot that I was representing the organisation at all times — particularly through some of my comments or behaviour. With Gloris eSports, I took a much more cautious approach and tried to keep the organisation separate from matters typically associated with the underground scene.
Another difference was that previously I was both playing and acting as a coach at the same time, which was extremely time-consuming and exhausting. At Gloris, however, I was able to take a step back and focus on ensuring the whole machine ran as it should.
[R] News of your departure has recently emerged — what prompted this decision? Had you been planning it for a long time, and how do you feel about bringing this chapter to a close?
Yes — I’m 99 per cent done with the Gloris chapter, as well as with running my own organisations in general. This is down to a lack of time, a certain amount of burnout, and the feeling that I’ve achieved my smaller goals. I’ve always wanted to reach a point where a team flying my colours would go to a LAN event and represent the organisation. Although it didn’t end in ultimate success, the goal itself was achieved. Is this the definitive end? I’d say so. Unlike some people, I’m consistent — if I say ‘pass’, I take responsibility for it, rather than coming back every few months with a new or acquired team under my own logo.
As for the UG project itself — here, too, I feel that my mission is slowly coming to an end. I can’t say today whether this will happen tomorrow, in a week’s time or not until December. From the very beginning, however, I promised myself one thing: I’ll devote my time, energy and my own financial resources for as long as I feel that fire burning within me.
I don’t want to carry on just for the sake of it, nor do I want to boast about the title ‘CEO’ next to my username. A year ago, I simply wanted to see what this universe looks like from the inside — behind the scenes. During this time, however, we’ve managed to set new standards and show that certain things can be done much better. At the same time, all of this must have continuity. My departure must not signal the end of the project, but rather its continuation. Too much has been sacrificed and achieved to leave the project’s partners or supporters without a future.
[R] Is there anything you regret, or anything you’d do differently with the benefit of hindsight?
Above all, I most regret certain collaborations and the fact that I trusted certain people far too much. Over time, it turned out that they were nothing but hyenas with malicious intentions towards both me and the entire Polish CS2 underground scene.
The mistakes made with GGC also had a huge impact on us, although this topic has already been explained in more detail in our New Year’s article.
[R] How would you like to be remembered by people in the scene?
I’m aware that, to the competition and those associated with them, I’ll remain ‘the bad guy’ — the bloke who stirred things up and disrupted certain arrangements. I’ll probably continue to be blamed for everything bad that has happened or is yet to happen for a long time to come.
However, as far as the community and our partners are concerned, I’d like them to remember me as someone who tried to bring about change in this underground scene, even at the cost of constant attacks on me and the resulting mass of unnecessary conflicts. I’d also like them to remember that I was always there for people — whatever the time of day, and regardless of whether we were talking to a group with three followers or ninety thousand.
[R] Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to the people who’ve been building this community with you over the years?
This may well be my last interview, so I’d like to start by thanking Superion for the years of collaboration between my organisation and your editorial team. This collaboration has always been professional — even at times when my community had strained relations with your editorial team. I may have many reservations about your editorial team’s actions, but as far as the relationship between the organisation and the editorial team is concerned, it has always been of the highest standard.
Above all, I wish the whole community that everything we’ve worked towards this year isn’t wasted. I wish every team and every player the best of luck and continued success. And to the haters? I can only say with a smile that even by joining forces, you weren’t able to break me or my community. And if I do leave — it will be solely on my own terms.
Ta1nz’s history in the Polish underground brings to a close a distinct chapter that has shaped the local amateur esports community over recent years. From his first attempts to build structures at Hevind eSports, through the development of Gloris eSports, right up to his most recognisable project, Underground CS2… His work has been a constant feature of this scene.
His statements reflect both his personal development and the evolution of his approach to running organisations and communities. From intense involvement in every aspect of a project to a more measured and detached approach, in which maintaining stability and continuity of operations has become paramount.
Although Ta1nz himself does not rule out the possibility that he may one day return to the world of esports organisations, he currently regards this chapter as closed. As he himself emphasises, he does not wish to remain involved in a project in name only, but only when he is fully committed to it. Regardless of what the future holds, his influence on the development of the Polish ‘CS2 underground’ remains evident, and the projects he helped create have become a permanent part of the scene’s history.
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