“We’re trying not to think about it too much,” alexis on the possibility of Shopify Rebellion winning back-to-back

The VALORANT Game Changers Champion 2024 has been providing action-packed matches. We're nearing the end, however, as the Upper Final is now decided. It will be G2 Gozen vs. Shopify Rebellion, after the latter defeated Xipto Esports. Following that series, we spoke with Alexis "alexis" Guarrasi.

She gave us some insight on how this year's competition stacks up. As well as what it means for SR to continue supporting Game Changers, and her thoughts on the rivalry with her next opponent in the form of G2.

"Another year, another Game Changers Championship. How would you say the competition matches up this year compared to years past?"

alexis: "To be honest, I think every Game Changers' team has improved, for sure. I just feel like our team has worked harder than every other team. and we are improving faster, but the talent pool is definitely growing. We're definitely getting a lot better as Game Changers unit."

"Some close games today against Xipto on Pearl and Sunset. What are your thoughts on the return of Pearl?"

alexis: "We were always a pretty good Pearl team, not going to lie, as in Version1. But I think that we were maybe a little bit nervous because this is our first time playing Pearl in a match. I think it went pretty well. I think that their comp was kind of unorthodox and not something that we see all the time, if ever.

"So, I think we had to adjust a bit to that, especially on attack. I feel like it was a bit shaky. Our post plants were kind of messed up because of all their util, but our defense was really, really good.

"I felt like we had a good grasp on the game after that and kind of went into our flow state. Me personally, I like the map. I like setting flor up. I feel like it's a good map for us to kind of duo together. So I really like the map."

"And this was a much more competitive score line than the match versus Team Falcons. What kind of fight did you see from Xipto today?"

alexis: "I think, honestly, Xipto has the best mechanics out of all the other teams here, besides my own. So, I felt like we were getting punished more by their aim than anything. I feel like we haven't been challenged like that by any of the other teams in this tournament.

"So, I feel it was kind of a struggle for us at first. Like I said, we got warmed up in the first half of Pearl, then on Sunset. I felt like we were also losing like some clutch moments, but we were able to close it out, so it was all good."

"Well, with two matches under your belt, you did your job and picked up the wins. Is there anything in particular you and the team have struggled with so far at Champs that you want to tighten up?"

alexis: "I feel like our macro is good. I feel like meL has just insane calls, and effys has really, really good tact timeouts. I feel like our macro is fine. I think it's just like micro moments and clutch situations, 2v1s, 2v3s, stuff like that that we should clean up.

"Outside of that though, I feel like we're playing well. I feel like we have a good map pool. I feel like, you know, we're vibing well together, so there's not a lot of macro stuff that we really need to clean up, to be honest."

"So, as I mentioned in the press conference, the next time you play will be exactly one year since the announcement of you all moving from Version1 to Shopify Rebellion. Let’s start with the organization. What do you have to say about their investment in Game Changers and in your team?"

alexis: "Honestly, we are the luckiest team ever, to be sponsored by Shopify. They are hands down the best org. They give us as many bootcamps as we want. We're able to see each other in person and build our chem and build our presence together.

"I feel like they provide more than any other org and we're super lucky. As for their presence in the Game Changer scene, them and FlyQuest, for us in NA are kind of just keeping Game Changers alive.

"There's only two orgs, and Shopify has been in since the beginning. The fact that they continue to invest in Game Changers is really, really important and hopefully other orgs will follow in their footsteps and also continue reinvesting in Game Changers."

"With that championship victory last year, there’s a chance to go back-to-back. Does winning that trophy last year bring added pressure to this year’s tournament, or does it feel easier knowing you’ve been there, done that?"

alexis: "I think it brings added pressure, because I feel like there is an expectation to hold the title and also be the first team ever to go back-to-back in a world championship. I think that is kind of on our shoulders a bit. We're trying not to think about it too much.

"At least for me, it is kind of in the back of my mind to keep up what we did last year. I think more than anything though, I want to just win it for myself and just prove that we can go back-to-back and we can do it again. That we are definitely the best team in Game Changers."

"How have you and the rest of the team grown from the win in Brazil?"

alexis: "We work super, super hard. We have an insanely packed schedule. We only really took a small break during the summer and that was it. And then we were just back on the grind, pretty much since July. We've been nonstop prepping for Champs. We just keep up our work ethic and then everything else kind of comes with it. We've grown a lot as a team in the last year though, for sure."

"And do you feel like this team, being in the spotlight you’ve earned, has done its job in showcasing the game of VALORANT and representing the Game Changers?"

alexis: "I think so. I mean, hopefully other people feel that way about us. I think that winning everything and having a really good run last year, and having a good run regionally this year, sets a good precedent for the Game Changers scene. So, hopefully other people feel that way. I feel like we're doing a good job."

"And lastly, how fitting that at the year anniversary of joining Shopify, you come up against G2 Gozen in the Upper Final. Do you like having this global rivalry with them? When you see each other at the end of the year, is it on sight?"

alexis: "<laughs> No, it's not on sight. We're super chill with them. It is really fun to have a rivalry going, though. They're always a super competitive team. I think that they're the only team to take a map off us last Champs, so they're a really, really good team for sure.

"I have a lot of respect for mimi, and all of the players, but I looked up to mimi a lot when I was playing CS. She is a great player. I think the rivalry is super, super fun. And I look forward to playing them every year. I always know that we're going to play them eventually, and it's usually the Upper Final, so, I'm always looking forward to it."

Stay tuned to esports.gg for more esports news and VALORANT coverage.