Burmese Ghouls Explained

Burmese Ghouls
Short Name:BG
Nickname:Papipapipu
City:Yangon
Location:Myanmar
Parent Group:Burmese Ghouls Esports
Partners:Tecno Mobile,[1] EVRDY, Burman Barbershop[2]
Divisions:
PUBG Mobile
Fanclub:Ghouls

Burmese Ghouls (often abbreviated as BG) is a professional esports organisation based in Yangon, Myanmar. The team was founded in 2016 and has been operating ever since. The organisation is currently operating in and PUBG Mobile.[3] The team also used to operate in Dota 2[4] and Arena of Valor.[5] Burmese Ghouls also has a female division in Mobile Legends, named Burmese Ghouls Reinas.

Burmese Ghouls's best achievements includes its MLBB Team scoring 1st runner ups at M2 World Championships[6] and its AOV Team getting to represent Myanmar at 30th Southeast Asian Games.[7] The organisation has one of the biggest fan bases in Myanmar Esports industry due to their great success.

History

2016-2018

Foundation and earliest achievements

Burmese Ghouls was founded with the name Team Accident 2 in 2016 by ICE ICE and PVNDV with the members of Kid, Ace, and Fox. Their first game contest was Huawei Nova Championship 2017. Before the contest, Kid and Fox left and Ardam and Blank joined the team as new members and competed in the Zurich competition. They competed under the name Ghouls. Not long after, they changed their team's name to Burmese Ghouls. Burmese Ghouls was the team chosen to represent Myanmar at the MSC 2018 in Singapore,[8] but unfortunately, they only advanced to the group stage. Then, the team won the Huawei Nova Championship 2018.

During MPL Myanmar Season 1, CG-0 joined as a stand-in. After competing in MPL Myanmar Season 1, Blank left the team and Ruby DD joined.The team started to operate officially under Burmese Ghouls Esports as of 2018.

2019

Achievements

After winning 1st runner up in MPL Myanmar Season 2, Ardam left and Maybe joined the team. Then the team represented Myanmar at the MSC 2019 together with Team Resolution (RSO, currently known as Yangon Galacticos YG) but unplaced, and Kid returns to the team.After winning MPL Myanmar Season 3, the team was chosen to represent Myanmmar atthe $250,000 M1-World Championship in Malaysia in 2019, placing as 3rd runner ups after losing to Malaysian team TODAK in Lower Bracket Semifinal. Starting from MPL Myanmar Season 3, PVNDV became a coach and took a rest from the player life.[9]

New Teams

In April, following their continuous achievements on MLBB team, Burmese Ghouls announced that they will be expanding their Esports teams on Arena of Valor and PUBG Mobile.[10] In September, the team also expanded to Dota 2.[11]

2020-2021

During MPL Myanmar Season 4, Dee joined the team. Together with the new players, BG won the MPL Myanmar Season 4 and 5. In M2 World Championship, in Singapore. They were able to perform outstanding at the tournament and achieved first runner ups. They were the first team in the Myanmar Esport industry to reach the finals of a World Championship Tournament.[12]

But right after they get back home from M2 World Championships, following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, Burmese Ghouls have disbanded as of July 3, 2021 with only the leader ICE ICE remaining in BG even though he will no longer play Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and other games because of a domestic boycott of Chinese games in Myanmar.[13] Therefore, they had to shut down all their Esports teams.

2021

Refoundation

Although they stated to boycott the game. The team was eventually recreated under a new name "Burmese Ghouls Junior" with completely new members in 2021. The team joined in some 3rd-party tournaments, achieving minor successes.

2022

Coming back to fame

The team, renamed back to original name "Burmese Ghouls", participated in MSC 2022 – Myanmar Qualifier where they got second runner-ups. Therefore, becoming well known again. At the time, the team was also performing well in other 3rd-party tournaments in Myanmar.

Participation in M4 World Championship – Myanmar Qualifier

Burmese Ghouls did participate in M4 World Championship – Myanmar Qualifier. Although they did not get to win the tournament, they performed well and got 5th–6th place in that tournament.

2023

Early achievements

Earlier in the year, Burmese Ghouls participated in The Regional: Road to Cambodia 2023, which is a qualifier tournament to get a chance to represent Myanmar at 2023 SEA Games. But the team only managed to score 2nd runner up in the tournament. The next month, the team was direct-invited to MSC 2023 – Myanmar Qualifier, where they only got 5th–6th, unabled to qualify. Although the team didn't manage to win those tournaments, the new team's earliest achievement would only come a month later.

Qualifying as Myanmar representatives for IESF 2023

In April, Burmese Ghouls was direct invited to IESF World Esports Championships 2023 – Myanmar Qualifiers. At this very tournament, Burmese Ghouls managed to win the champion title after beating Fenix Esports 3–1 in the Finals. This is the first time being the champions after 2021.

The team would later participate in IESF World Esports Championship 2023 – Southeast Asia Qualifier as Myanmar representatives. Although the team wasn't able to perform well in that tournament, its achievements showed that Burmese Ghouls is still remaining as one of the top teams in Myanmar MLBB Industry.

Industry Expansion

The team expanded their Esports industry by creating PUBG Mobile team in September[14] and creating MLBB Women's team, called "Burmese Ghouls Reinas" in December.[15]

Qualification to M5

Later in the year, Burmese Ghouls staged a significant comeback, going undefeated in the MLBB M5 World Championship Qualifiers for Myanmar. The team would get swept by Mythic Seal in the Upper-Bracket Final, but traded blows against Falcon Esports. Burmese Ghouls defeated Falcon Esports in the Lower-Bracket Finals, denying them an M5 World Championship Slot. A rematch between Mythic Seal and Burmese Ghouls were staged in the Grand Finals. After winning Games 1 and 3, the team went 2–1 in the series, however, Mythic Seal would trample the team 3–2 and were poised to go to the championship. However, the team won two-straight games and won the qualifying spot for Myanmar in M5 World Championship in The Philippines.[16] The team would return to the international stage for the first time since M2 where they finished as the runner-up behind Bren Esports.[17]

M5 Journey

During their M5 journey, Burmese Ghouls embarked on a challenging path, confronting their seasoned adversaries APBren, LilGun, and Team Flash. Each match was imbued with anticipation, particularly their encounter with APBREN, offering a chance to avenge their M2 grand finals loss. Despite a valiant effort, they succumbed to APBREN's prowess, facing a 2–0 defeat. The subsequent clash against the formidable Team Flash, champions of the Singapore MPL, further tested their mettle. Although hopes were high for a Burmese Ghouls victory, they were unexpectedly bested 2–1, sparking criticism from supporters worried about their tournament prospects.

However, amidst the setbacks, a glimmer of hope emerged in their final group stage match against LilGun. Opting for a strategic lineup change, Burmese Ghouls introduced their substitute player, SHADOW, in place of the regular starter Carbon. This adjustment revitalized their performance, resulting in a convincing 2–0 victory and securing their passage to the knockout stage.

In the knockout stage, they confronted the Indonesian powerhouse, Geek Farm, with a stroke of fortune as one of Geek Farm's main players was banned. Despite initial optimism, Geek Farm's seasoned experience proved insurmountable, thwarting Burmese Ghouls' advancement and relegating them to the lower bracket.

Undeterred by the setback, Burmese Ghouls faced off against 'See You Soon' from Cambodia in a bid to keep their tournament dreams alive. However, the weight of previous losses and the mounting pressure proved too burdensome, leading to a disappointing 3–0 defeat and an early exit from the tournament. Nevertheless, amidst the disappointment, there are valuable lessons to be gleaned. As a youthful squad with an average age of 18, their debut experience in the M series serves as a crucial stepping stone for future growth and development.

2024

Big Changes

In 2024, following the unexpected outcomes of M5, Burmese Ghouls underwent significant transformations within their lineup and coaching staff. They bid farewell to their Mid laner Lina, who departed to join one of their prominent local rivals, AI Esports. Additionally, their EXP laner Carbon embarked on a new journey with Zino Esports. Furthermore, they parted ways with their assistant coach DJ, whose contributions were instrumental in their qualification for M5. DJ's expertise was sought after by Mythic Seal, marking a significant loss for Burmese Ghouls.To bolster their roster, Burmese Ghouls made a bold move by acquiring Dlar, a seasoned veteran from the Philippines who was available as a free agent at the time. Dlar's international experience and skill set added depth to the team's lineup, promising a new dimension to their gameplay.Moreover, Burmese Ghouls made a strategic decision by appointing Dale, formerly associated with Falcon Esports and Team HAQ, as their head coach. This move signified a shift in leadership, with Dale bringing a wealth of knowledge and tactical acumen to the team. As part of this restructuring, former head coach Lynndaddy transitioned to the role of assistant coach, ensuring continuity while embracing new perspectives.

First step in 2024

In their inaugural tournament in Kazan, Russia, Burmese Ghouls received an invitation to participate in the prestigious "Game of Future" tournament. Placed in a challenging group alongside formidable opponents such as RRQ, the powerhouse from Indonesia, Deus Vult, the reigning Russian champions, and Team Lilgun, an old rival from their M5 journey, the stakes were high for the newly formed lineup. With their mid laner departing, Jungler "Niko" stepped up to fill the role, while the team brought in Saxa, a former Filipino jungler from Team SMG, as a stand-in for the tournament. However, despite their individual talents, the team struggled to find cohesion due to language barriers and the freshness of the lineup. Although they suffered a defeat against Deus Vult, they managed to secure a crucial victory against Team Lilgun, propelling them into the knockout stage. Facing off against Twisted Minds, a Saudi Arabian team, Burmese Ghouls showcased their potential with a convincing win, earning them a spot in the next round against RRQ. Unfortunately, their journey came to an end after a valiant effort, as they fell to RRQ with a score of 2–0, bidding farewell to the tournament in 2024 as top 5–8 again.

Tournaments

Burmese Ghouls MLBB Men Team's Achivevements are listed as below:

MPL seasons

SeasonLine UpResult
MPL Myanmar Season (1)ICE ICE, Blank, PVNDV, Ardam, and AceChampion[18]
MPL Myanmar Season (2)ICE ICE, Ace, Ruby DD, PVNDV, and Ardam1st Runner Up[19]
MPL Myanmar Season (3)ICE ICE, Ace, Ruby DD, Kid, and MaybeChampion[20]
MPL Myanmar Season (4)ICE ICE, Ace, Ruby DD, Maybe, Kid and DeeChampion
MPL Myanmar Season (5)ICE ICE, Ace, Ruby DD, Maybe, Meow,Kid and DeeChampion

Local tournaments

TournamentLine UpResult
Zurich Mobile Legends CupICE ICE, Ardam, Ace, Blank, PVNDVChampion
MSC Qualifiers 2018ICE ICE, Ardam, Ace, Blank, PVNDVChampion
VIVO MLBB CupICE ICE, Ardam, Ace, Blank, PVNDVChampion
Huawei Nova Championship Season 1ICE ICE, Ardam, Ace, Blank, PVNDVChampion
Huawei Nova Championship Season 2ICE ICE, Ace, Kid, Maybe, Ruby DDChampion
MESL:Road To SEA Games QualifierICE ICE, Ace, Ruby DD, Maybe, CG-0, PVNDV4th place
Zurich MLBB Championship 2020ICE ICE, Ace, Maybe, Kid, Ruby DDChampion
Huawei Nova Championship Season 3ICE ICE, Ace, Kid, Maybe, Ruby DDChampion
Light of Dawn Pro-Invitational Tournament Season 1Black Panda, Stitch, ControL, lynnxdaddy, Simple4th place
Rise Of Empire – Season 2Jougan, Fayyan, Px7, Sorata, JampiiChampion
MLBB Southeast Asia Cup 2022 – Myanmar QualifierBlack Panda, Stitch, ControL, lynnxdaddy, Simple3rd place
Real Cup Season 1Black Panda, Stitch, ControL, lynnxdaddy, Simple, Fayyan5th – 6th place
M4 World Championship: Myanmar QualifierJougn, Niko, ControL, Stitch, Blink, Kuzan5th – 6th place
Mahar Invitational Cup Season 1Shadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink1st Runner Up
ACFZ Esports TournamentShadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, BlinkChampion
The Regional: Road to Cambodia 2023Shadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink3rd place
Real Cup Season 2Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink, Carbon3rd place
MLBB Southeast Asia Cup 2023 – Myanmar QualifierShadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink, Carbon, Kuzan, Zaidem, Yoe Yoe5th – 6th place
IESF World Esports Championships 2023 – Myanmar QualifiersShadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink, Carbon, Kuzan, Zaidem, Yoe YoeChampion
V-Championship YangonShadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, BlinkChampion
Mahar Professional Championship Season 2Shadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink, Kuzan, Carbon1st Runner Up
V-Championship MandalayShadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink, Kuzan, CarbonChampion
Youth Can Do Invitational CupShadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink, Kuzan, Carbon5th – 6th place
M5 World Championship: Myanmar QualifierStitch, Lina, Blink, Carbon, Niko, ShadowChampion<
Mahar Invitational Cup Season 2Shadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink, Carbon, MaybeChampion
GG Gaming Festival - 2023Shadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink, Carbon1st Runner Up
Light of Dawn Pro-Invitational Tournament Season 2Shadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blink, Carbon, Maybe3rd place
MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024 - Myanmar QualifierKalay, Nico, Ackleyy, Stitch, Blink, Carbon1st Runner Up[21]

International tournaments

TournamentLine UpResult
MSC 2018ICE ICE, Ardam, Ace, PVNDV, Blank5th – 6th place Group Stage
MSC 2019ICE ICE, Ace, CG-0, PVNDV, Ruby DD, Ardam9th–10th place Play-in
SEA Clash of ChampionsICE ICE, Ardam, Ace, CG-0, PVNDV6th place
M1 World ChampionshipICE ICE, PVNDV, Ace, Maybe, Kid4th place
MPL Invitational 4 Nation CupICE ICE, Ace, Kid, Maybe, Dee, RubyDD3rd place
ONE Esports MPL Invitational 2020 (MPLI 2020)ICE ICE, Ace, Dee, Ruby DD, Kid3rd – 4th
M2 World ChampionshipAce, Maybe, Dee, Ruby DD, Kid1st Runner Up
Top Clans 2022 Winter InvitationalJougan, Niko, ControL, Stitch, Blink, Kuzan3rd place
IESF World Esports Championship 2023 – Southeast Asia Qualifier (as Myanmar National Team Representatives) Shadow, Niko, Lina, Blink, Stitch, Carbon, Kuzan, Zaiden3rd – 4th place Group Stage
M5 World ChampionshipShadow, Niko, Lina, Stitch, Blinkx, Carbon5th – 6th
Games of the Future 2024Dlar, Saxa, Niko, Stitch, Blink5th – 8th

Player

Current roster

Notes

1.Papipapipu is one of MLBB Hero Angela's iconic voicelines and Burmese fans gave the nickname because Burmese Ghouls made major draft pick fails by picking Angela in international tournaments.

Notes and References

  1. News: BG X Tecno Official Partnership . Burmese Ghouls . 23 Jan 2024 . my.
  2. News: EVRDY X BG X Burman Barbershop Official Partnership Signing Ceremony . Burmese Ghouls . 11 Apr 2024 . my.
  3. News: Burmese Ghouls current PUBG Mobile Team announcement . Burmese Ghouls . 2 Nov 2023 . my.
  4. News: Burmese Ghouls Dota 2 Team announcement . Burmese Ghouls . 10 Sep 2019 . my.
  5. News: Burmese Ghouls Arena of Valor and PUBG Team announcement . Burmese Ghouls . 6 Apr 2019 . en.
  6. News: Mobile Legends M2 World Championship ပြိုင်ပွဲဝင် Burmese Ghouls အသင်း ဒုတိယရရှိ. The Myanmar Times . 24 Jan 2021 . my.
  7. News: Burmese Ghouls AOV Team at terminal of Yangon International Airport, on their way to The Philippines. Burmese Ghouls . 2 Dec 2019 . my.
  8. News: Burmese Ghouls's MSC 2018 MM Qualifier Champion announcement . Burmese Ghouls . 23 Jan 2024 . my.
  9. News: Myanmar's Pro-Gamers taking on the world . The Myanmar Times . 31 January 2020.
  10. News: Burmese Ghouls Arena of Valor and PUBG Team announcement . Burmese Ghouls . 6 Apr 2019 . en.
  11. News: Burmese Ghouls Dota 2 Team announcement . Burmese Ghouls . 10 Sep 2019 . my.
  12. News: Mobile Legends M 2 World Championship ပြိုင်ပွဲဝင် Burmese Ghouls အသင်း ဒုတိယရရှိ . The Myanmar Times. my . 24 January 2021.
  13. Web site: 2021-07-04. Mobile Legends: Burmese Ghouls have disbanded their entire team. 2021-07-18. GamingonPhone. en-US.
  14. News: Burmese Ghouls current PUBG Mobile Team announcement . Burmese Ghouls . 2 Nov 2023 . my.
  15. News: Burmese Ghouls Reinas Team announcement . Burmese Ghouls . 14 Dec 2023 . my.
  16. Web site: Sarker . Md Sadequzzaman . 2023-10-02 . Burmese Ghouls is crowned as the champion of the M5 World Championship 2023: Myanmar Qualifier . 2023-10-03 . GamingonPhone . en-US.
  17. Web site: Rossel . John Dave . 2023-10-03 . Burmese Ghouls Set to Make an Epic Comeback at the M5 World Championship . 2023-10-03 . AFK Gaming . en.
  18. News: MPL Myanmar Season 1 Final announcement . Mobile Legends: Bang Bang . 17 Dec 2018 . my, en.
  19. News: MPL Myanmar Season 2 First Runner Ups . Mobile Legends: Bang Bang . 2 Jun 2019.
  20. News: MPL Myanmar Season 3 Champion announcement . Mobile Legends: Bang Bang . 27 Oct 2019 . my.
  21. News: Burmese Ghouls getting defeated by Falcon Esports 4-0 in Grand Final, missing their chance to MSC 2024 . Burmese Ghouls . 19 May 2024 . my.