Pro Gamer rpr’s Next Move: Why He Joined a Japanese Company as a Full-Time Employee

European champion becomes employee of Japanese company

Born in Croatia, rpr made his professional gaming debut at the Apex Legends Preseason Invitational in 2019. Competing in tournaments for the online game Apex Legends (hereafter Apex), he joined the European division of SCARZ, one of Japan’s top professional esports teams, in 2021. During his time with the team, he achieved remarkable results, including winning the ALGS Championship 2021 EMEA. This accomplishment is comparable to a Japanese-owned soccer team winning the UEFA Champions League.

Despite building a brilliant career as a professional gamer, in January 2024, KINOTROPE, a company that owns a professional gaming team, announced on X:

“Former European Champion rpr has joined KINOTROPE Inc. as a full-time employee.”

The sudden transition of a world-class gamer into a full-time employee at a Japanese company became a hot topic in the esports community.

After SCARZ disbanded, rpr had been working as a streamer. But why did a successful gamer decide to work for a Japanese company? He spoke about his past and future.

“I decided to retire as a professional gamer because my SCARZ teammates at the time, Mande and Taisheen, each found their own new paths to pursue. Since I had no intention of competing in tournaments with other players, I chose to disband the team. After retiring, I continued my career as a streamer in my home country of Croatia.”

rpr’s interest in Japan was sparked by his family background and his friendships with Japanese streamers.