Why Lucidical Came Back to Call of Duty and Decided to Study an MBA

In my work helping competitive gamers transition into college life, I’ve seen an important shift happen especially in the Call of Duty scene. Talented players are no longer just chasing pro contracts. They’re chasing sustainability. Balance. Growth.

After helping players like Rowen (from the Netherlands) use their skills to access top-tier academic programs in the U.S., it’s clear there’s a new path emerging, one where esports and education work hand-in-hand.

Rowen’s story is a perfect example of this evolution.

Once a top European amateur competing in LANs across the continent, Rowen stepped away from competition to focus on his studies. But now, he’s stepping back in with a new mindset, a new goal, and a new home: the U.S. collegiate Call of Duty scene.

The EU Call of Duty scene once thrived especially during the Black Ops 3 to WWII era. But after franchising, the introduction of multi-console play, and the pandemic, things changed.

Funding dried up. LANs disappeared. Travel to North American events became unaffordable. Cheating issues increased. And legitimate amateur players lost both visibility and hope.

For players like Rowen, this led to personal burnout. He had to choose: risk academic failure chasing a dream in a broken system or step away to secure his future.

The system wasn’t just underfunded. It was unstructured. Talented EU players had no long-term vision, no career development, no education backup plan. It wasn’t sustainable.

Rowen’s journey into CoD started young, playing FPS games from the age of 10, grinding through titles like CoD4 and World at War, then dominating U18 leagues during Black Ops 3.

But it wasn’t until an injury benched him from soccer that his CoD career exploded. He started playing full-time, grinding the EU scene, and landing with Team Singularity, one of Europe’s biggest orgs.

He flew to Denmark, competed against pros like Toronto Ultra’s Kleenex, and held his own. Then he made it to CW Las Vegas. It was a dream.

But the price? His education.

To maintain university attendance, Rowen had to sacrifice international events. And when the pandemic hit, it sealed the deal. The EU CoD scene shrank, online cheating surged, and funding collapsed.

Rowen hit pause.

But now? He’s coming back to earn an MBA in the United States, using his talent to unlock opportunity instead of chasing impossible odds.

So why return to CoD now and why in North America?

1. Rowen is no longer forced to choose between competing and studying. At U.S. universities, esports is a recognized varsity activity. That means schedules are balanced, resources are provided, and education isn’t sacrificed.

2. What used to be seen as “tier 3” now rivals amateur leagues. Former CDL and CWL players are entering the scene. Teams are better organized, matches are streamed, and infrastructure keeps improving. It’s no longer just for fun, it’s a platform.

3. Unlike in Europe, where LANs are rare and expensive, the U.S. has local and national competitions, online qualifiers, and collegiate leagues like the CCL (College CoD League). The path to visibility is clearer.

4. If Rowen’s talent makes him pro, amazing. But if not? He leaves with an MBA, a network, and a resume. It’s the perfect mix of ambition and security.

What does this new path give players like Rowen?

• Compete at a high level without sacrificing your future.
• Develop time management, leadership, and academic excellence while competing.
• Join a growing collegiate network of players, coaches, and alumni.
• U.S. programs offer exposure to brands, recruiters, and scouts.
• Build both a competitive and professional brand at once.