MAJ3R on Losing Anubis, Rebooting in Bootcamp, and Aurora's Future Outlook

MAJ3R on Losing Anubis, Rebooting in Bootcamp, and Aurora's Future Outlook

Aurora’s in-game leader, Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli, opened up after their BLAST Bounty Season 2 run, reflecting on their current form after the summer break, their adjustments during a bootcamp in Serbia, and how the removal of the map Anubis has impacted them.

“Losing Anubis was difficult, to be honest,” he admitted. As a result, Aurora devoted around 10 (and up to 14) days in Serbia with an intense bootcamp, working heavily on Overpass and other maps to strengthen their map pool. They are determined to ensure every map is about “10 % better” to pave the way for future trophies.

MAJ3R also emphasized the team’s form recovery after the break. While not yet as sharp as at the beginning of the year, he noted, “we played a lot of Counter-Strike, and I can feel that everyone is shooting good,” expressing solid confidence in the team’s capabilities.

He further acknowledged the grueling schedule Aurora is navigating. XANTARES, who missed the first tournament due to back issues but is now fully back in the lineup, is instrumental in this process. Despite earlier setbacks, his return has helped Aurora regain momentum.

Context & Additional Insights from MAJ3R’s Recent Interviews

1. Bootcamp Focus & Tournament Preparation

Speaking after IEM Dallas, MAJ3R highlighted their intention to use bootcamp time to shore up weaknesses, particularly on maps like Train, and to learn from match mistakes to be better prepared for the Major.

2. Schedule Pressures & Burnout Concerns

In February 2025, MAJ3R shared that he had only spent about two days at home within a month and a half, underlining the burnout risks of their relentless schedule. Still, he remained resolute: “I’m a little scared about burnout, but we are professional,” asserting that team health would remain a priority heading into the Major.

3. Tactical Adaptability & Leadership

Earlier, at PGL Astana, MAJ3R had revealed a bold tactical shift: breaking from their usual strategy by starting T-side on Mirage, trusting himself and the team’s confidence to steer them through the match.

Final Thoughts

MAJ3R’s honesty about the challenges of losing Anubis and pushing through a dense tournament schedule is grounded in concrete actions — particularly the focused bootcamp, strategic map work, and prioritizing player well-being. Aurora is in a transitional phase: reloading, recalibrating, and aiming to regain the trophy-contending form we saw earlier in the year.