Interview – “A look at the challenges and perks of owning Armitra”

*the original wording has been retained* *minor errors have been corrected*

“Szata” – CEO of the Armitra organisation and a player for the Armitra Academy team. We asked him, amongst other things, how he rates the recent performances of the main squad and the academy over the last few weeks. He also shared his views on the future of the organisation.

[R] What inspired you to set up the Armitra organisation?

I didn’t found Armitra Esports; it was founded in 2019 and had suspended its activities. In 2024, with the founder’s consent, I simply took the reins of the team, though its founder remains a very important figure within the organisation. As for what inspired me to take the reins, I certainly wanted to test myself and my abilities in a new environment and a new role, and at that time I didn’t have the enthusiasm to play CS as a player myself, so I had more time to manage the team.

[R] What challenges did you face at the start of your career as an owner?

I don’t think there were any major challenges. I had to find a squad that fit the management policy I’d set for the team, and I managed that fairly quickly. I believe Armitra made a good entry into the market of teams in our Polish scene.

[R] What are your goals for the organisation over the coming year?

Definitely to add some gold to the trophy cabinet, because we’ve had plenty of achievements, but they’ve mostly been second or third places or semi-finals. I’ll certainly keep striving to raise the team’s profile and develop Armitra. And, of course, it’s time to break the ESEA Intermediate curse and qualify for the Main. It would also be great to go to a LAN event, just like in 2024, but that will largely depend on the state of Polish CS.

[R] What are the core values that guide you in managing the organisation?

I clearly explain to my players what I’m offering them, the opportunities available, and the potential benefits they can gain from representing this team. And, of course, the foundation is honesty, trust and open communication.

[R] What have been Armitra’s greatest successes and failures so far?

There have been many successes, both big and small. Stability in the Cybersport rankings and a 10th-place finish, the Armitra Masters finals, podium finishes at numerous tournaments, and a trip to the LAN event in Konin. In my opinion, there haven’t been many failures, but certainly a lack of stability and, despite good results in our academy section, I definitely see many things here that could have been done better.

[R] What qualities and skills do you consider key to effectively managing an esports team?

You definitely need to be a communicative person; a lot also depends on how you lead and manage the team. As I mentioned, you certainly need to be honest and open to discussion. Set clear goals and expectations, but also clearly outline what you’re offering in return. And of course, you also need to keep a cool head at all times, not panic, and make the best possible decisions when things go wrong or have gone wrong. Then you have to get out of it and find the best solution.

[R] How do you select players for your Counter-Strike 2 team?

When it comes to the main squad, I try to find a well-coordinated group of five people who have been playing together for a while. That way, I can see how they perform, what their results are, and so on. I believe this is the easiest way to find a good and stable squad. However, it’s different in the academy. Here we have a few friends who aren’t overly concerned with results, but just want a stable line-up (because there’s an issue with the fifth player) and simply want to test themselves and play in tournaments at a higher or lower level.

[R] What sets Armitra apart from other esports organisations?

That’s a tough question. At the moment, we’re not involved in any conflicts and I don’t think we have many enemies, so perhaps that’s something I’d highlight. Otherwise, like any team, we’ve had our problems and obstacles, so nothing else comes to mind at the moment.

[R] What are your thoughts on the future of esports in Poland?

Gloomy. Things aren’t heading in the right direction, and I get the impression that, unfortunately, we’ll never return to the state we were in, say, between 2015 and 2018. The problem might also lie with the academies. As our eastern neighbours or the countries on the Jutland Peninsula show, it’s possible to have a strong academy that nurtures plenty of talent and opens up opportunities. Of course, it’s also worth mentioning that there is currently no strong Polish organisation in our country.

[R] What are your favourite moments from your career as the owner of Armitra?

Honestly, I don’t think there are any. Every moment is equally good and happy. I was certainly very pleased when the lads from the ‘ex-Ice Age’ era – that is, the current players of Armitra’s main squad – agreed to play for us.

[R] How would you assess the current state of the Polish Counter-Strike 2 scene?

It’s on a par with the men’s national football team.

[R] What are your plans for developing the Counter-Strike 2 division at Armitra?

The plan for January/February is definitely to find some good collaborators or partners.

[R] How important are your relationships with the esports community to you?

I think they’re quite significant. I try to be there for people and help them if they have any issues. I try to bring people together rather than divide them. That’s why we’ve been playing Among Us together for the past few days.

[R] What are your thoughts on the role of social media in esports?

It’s crucial. It allows you to deliver information to your audience and attract new people. It builds your brand and is an important factor when establishing partnerships.

[R] What are your favourite games, apart from Counter-Strike 2?

FIFA, GTA San Andreas, LOL, and Minecraft back in the day. Now I really enjoy playing Among Us

[R] What are your immediate professional and personal plans?

To get my master’s degree; I’ve got another 1.5 years to go.

[R] How do you see the future of the Armitra organisation in five years’ time?

I’d like it to last that long, but whether it will, we’ll have to wait and see.

[R] What dreams and goals would you still like to achieve in your career?

As for individual goals, Arrmy Rising and ESEA Intermediate. And of course the Galaxy Cup play-offs, though I don’t think that’s going to happen in this edition.

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