SonicFox vs Saudi Arabia: Why This Misses The Point...

In this episode of The Four Horsemen, the crew dives into some of the most controversial esports stories. The show kicks off with an in-depth investigation into the Saudi-backed Esports World Cup “Superfan” program, revealing allegations of staged crowds, favoritism toward Falcons Esports, and censorship of fan signs and chants.  From there, the discussion shifts to the Fighting Game Community (FGC) and the bombshell news that Evo – the FGC’s flagship event – is now owned by a Saudi Arabian mega-city project, raising questions about competitive integrity, cultural values, and sportswashing. Central to this debate is SonicFox, one of the most famous and outspoken figures in the FGC, whose decision to continue competing at Evo sparks heated debate about activism, collaboration, and the realities of esports under authoritarian influence.  The second half of the show focuses on Dota 2’s unprecedented drama, as Gaimin Gladiators withdraw from The International (TI) despite holding a direct invite. The hosts examine the contractual disputes between the players and the organization, the legal standoff that cost them esports’ most prestigious tournament slot, and the long-term impact on both the players’ legacies and the org’s relationship with Valve. Packed with insider knowledge, unfiltered opinions, and hard-hitting esports news, this episode is a must-watch for anyone invested in the future of FGC, Evo, SonicFox, and the shifting landscape of competitive gaming.  Last Free Nation’s new collaboration t-shirt with Into the AM is out now! Equip yourself with this high-quality shirt (featuring a familiar insignia) now! While you’re there, you can also shop the Into the AM Labor Day Sale! Items are up to 50% sitewide until the 7th of September. This is in addition to the 10% off you always get by using our link: https://intotheam.com/LFN-tee2  Go to https://www.buyraycon.com/horsemen TODAY to get 20% off sitewide!  Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code HORSEMEN at shopmando.com!  Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! 

Join Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo on this explosive episode of The Four Horsemen as they deep dive into the YaLLa Compass scandal with acclaimed CS2 journalist Luis Mira. Discover the inside story of how the YaLLa Compass tournament left over a million dollars in unpaid bills, defrauded countless teams and employees, and left a gaping hole in the Counter-Strike tournament calendar. Mira's meticulous reporting uncovers the organization's shocking mismanagement and the ramifications for the CS2 community. The hosts also debate the effectiveness of Valve's VRS system, its enforcement inconsistencies, and the broader implications for the esports landscape. Don't miss this in-depth exposé filled with insights, humor, and a few shocking revelations. NOTE: You may hear a slight echo during the first 48 minutes of the episode. Improve your game with a cutting-edge Wooting keyboard and get a free uWu now! Go to https://wooting.io/ and add any keyboard and uWu to your cart with code HORSEMEN and get your uWu for free! Get 10% Off your entire order & take advantage of Ridge’s Annual Sweepstakes by going to https://www.Ridge.com/HORSEMANNO PURCH. NEC. Open to legal residents of 50 US/DC, Canada & the UK, age maj.+. Void where prohibited. Begins 8/1/25 and ends 9/15/25. 2 winners selected. Max Prizes total ARV: $380,000 USD / approximately $516,000 CAD / £306,800. Canadian skill-testing question required. Subject to Rules, including free entry method & odds: ridge.com/rules. Sponsor: The Ridge Wallet, LLC.

In this episode of The Four Horsemen, Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo take a critical look at the Esports World Cup documentary, "Level Up." The discussion unpacks the propaganda elements, questionable narratives, and the broader implications for esports history and integrity. From the manipulative portrayal of Falcon's rise to the mischaracterization of the esports industry's past, no aspect is left unexamined. Join the hosts as they expose the underlying issues and the real impact of Saudi Arabian investments in esports. Go to https://www.buyraycon.com/horsemen TODAY to get up to 20% off their best-selling Everyday Earbuds! Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code HORSEMEN at shopmando.com! Get 10% Off your entire order & take advantage of Ridge’s Annual Sweepstakes by going to https://www.Ridge.com/HORSEMANNO PURCH. NEC. Open to legal residents of 50 US/DC, Canada & the UK, age maj.+. Void where prohibited. Begins 8/1/25 and ends 9/15/25. 2 winners selected. Max Prizes total ARV: $380,000 USD / approximately $516,000 CAD / £306,800. Canadian skill-testing question required. Subject to Rules, including free entry method & odds: ridge.com/rules. Sponsor: The Ridge Wallet, LLC.

In this episode of The Four Horsemen, Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo dive into the latest controversies in the esports world. They dissect Cadrel's controversial decision to co-stream the EWC for Saudi Arabia amidst ethical concerns and the backlash from fans. The trio also breaks down T1's public apology and the fallout from Joe Marsh's comments about player contracts, examining the inner workings of Korean corporate culture in esports. They also discuss Travis Gafford stepping away from LoL esports content. Tune in for an unfiltered discussion on the moral complexities and insider stories shaping the esports landscape. Improve your game with a cutting-edge Wooting keyboard and get a free uWu now! Go to https://wooting.io/ and add any keyboard and uWu to your cart with code HORSEMEN and get your uWu for free! For a limited time, our listeners get 10% off at Ridge by using code HORSEMAN at checkout. Just head to https://Ridge.com and use code HORSEMAN Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code HORSEMAN for 10% off your entire order.

In this episode of 'The Four Horsemen,' Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo delve into the complex world of Riot Games's new stance on sports betting and its implications for the esports industry. The trio also discusses the controversial moves by Saudi Arabia in the esports space, lies and censorship surrounding the Esports World Cup, the ongoing match-fixing scandals, and how these developments are shaping the future of competitive gaming. Don't miss their insider insights on the ethical dilemmas, corporate strategies, and the ever-evolving landscape of esports. Go to https://www.buyraycon.com/horsemen TODAY to get up to 15% off their best-selling Everyday Earbuds! For a limited time, our listeners get 10% off at Ridge by using code HORSEMAN at checkout. Just head to https://Ridge.com and use code HORSEMAN Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code HORSEMAN for 10% off your entire order. Protect your online privacy TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/horsemen and you can get an extra four months FREE. 

In this episode of 'The Four Horsemen,' the hosts dive deep into the history and current state of the iconic esport StarCraft. They are joined by long-time commentator Kaelaris, who offers insights into the game's enduring popularity and the evolving competitive scene. The discussion covers the early days of StarCraft’s rise in Korea, the various match-fixing scandals, and the industry impact of StarCraft tournaments. They also touch on the transition from developer-led initiatives to community-driven sustainability and the implications of the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard for StarCraft’s future. The show highlights the devotion of long-time fans and players, emphasizing that despite its niche status, StarCraft continues to thrive through crowdfunding and grassroots efforts. Download the Sleeper app to play daily fantasy and receive a match up to $100 on your first deposit with code SNAKE - https://sleeper.com/download For a limited time, our listeners get 10% off at Ridge by using code HORSEMAN at checkout. Just head to https://Ridge.com and use code HORSEMAN Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code HORSEMAN for 10% off your entire order. Protect your online privacy TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/horsemen and you can get an extra four months FREE. 

In this explosive episode of 'The Four Horsemen,' hosts Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo dive deep into the drama and shenanigans surrounding Evil Geniuses under the management of PEAK6. They discuss everything from the controversial rebranding, the appalling treatment of players and staff, to the financial gymnastics done with the Wolverhampton partnership. They also scrutinize Nicole LaPointe Jameson's leadership and the internal chaos that tarnished the storied legacy of this iconic esports organization. Join the discussion on how this could have been prevented and what it means for the future of esports.Improve yImprove your game with a cutting-edge Wooting keyboard and get a free uWu now! Go to https://wooting.io and add any keyboard and uWu to your cart with code HORSEMEN and get your uWu for free!Right now, just in time for Father's Day, Ridge is having a HUGE sale! Get up to 40% off your order at Ridge.com/HORSEMAN Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code HORSEMAN for 10% off your entire order.

In this episode of The Four Horsemen, Thorin, Richard Lewis, and MonteCristo dive deep into several major eSports controversies. They begin with Team Liquid's fallout with Honda following a controversial tweet from one of their Brazilian Rainbow Six players and discuss the broader implications and responses within the community. The conversation then shifts to the surprising stand taken by the GeoGuesser community against the eSports World Cup in Riyadh, illustrating how community-driven efforts can influence major decisions in the gaming world. Lastly, the hosts tackle the decline of Astralis, once a titan in competitive Counter-Strike, now struggling with multiple consecutive major misses and its current state for sale. With in-depth analysis, industry insights, and personal anecdotes, this episode sheds light on the business and ethical dimensions of the eSports landscape. Shop the Into the AM Memorial Day Sale with up to 70% OFF until June 1. Save an additional 10% by using our link: https://intotheam.com/LFN. Protect your online privacy TODAY by visiting https://ExpressVPN.com/horsemen and you can get an extra four months FREE.   Get the ultimate immersive gaming experience with Turtle Beach today! For a limited time only, head to https://TurtleBeach.com and use Code HORSEMAN for 10% off your entire order.

In this episode of The Four Horsemen, Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo are joined by Barry Lee of Evolved Talent to dissect the recent T1 Zeus agency drama that has captivated the esports scene. Barry offers an inside perspective on the contractual conflicts and accusations that arose during Zeus's free agency. The discussion also explores T1's distinctive K-pop style marketing strategies, League of Legends team management, and the potential repercussions in the competitive landscape. Additionally, the panel shares thoughts on Riot Games' recent controversies, including TFT rulings and the development of new game features. Tune in for an in-depth, insider look at some of the most pressing issues in esports today. Shop the Into the AM Sitewide Sale with up to 60% OFF until April 6. Save an additional 10% by using our link: https://intotheam.com/LFN. Also, visit the Last Free Nation Discord to give feedback on our latest t-shirt design collaboration! Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code HORSEMEN at https://www.shopmando.com!

Welcome back to The Four Horsemen! In this episode, Thorin, Richard Lewis, and MonteCristo dive into the recent win trading scandal in Team Fight Tactics (TFT) esports, following the announcement of a new esports circuit. They are joined by Frodan, who provides an in-depth analysis of the situation. The discussion covers the suspected collusion involving Chinese players, the implications on the game's integrity, and the broader issues of match fixing in the esports industry. Tune in for an engaging and informative conversation that sheds light on one of the most controversial topics in the competitive gaming world right now. Take advantage of Ridge’s one-a-year anniversary sale and get UP TO 40% OFF right now by going to https://www.Ridge.com/HORSEMAN Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code HORSEMEN at https://www.shopmando.com! Get 50% off FACTOR meals at https://www.factormeals.com/factorpodcast with code factorpodcast. High-quality, never-frozen meals delivered to your home!