nathe and samoan goat bid farewell to VCC APAC

Longtime APAC players and staff nathe and samoan goat have announced their retirement from competing in and managing VCC tournaments.

nathe started his VCC APAC journey strong in Season 3, winning a trophy in his first full season with Curry Munchers, alongside fellow longtime APAC players OrangeKatsu, tengloke, Fatpoipoiii, and goofy. This was the start of a whopping 8 grand finals appearances (including sub, the most out of any VCC APAC player, along with the very high honor of always placing in the Top 3 with his teams, except for Mahjodi Legends (ML) this past season.

After a grand finals showing in Season 4, he became a part of VCC APAC's staff in Season 5, holding that position until Season 12. He won his second trophy in Season 6 with @impressedhardwear, alongside tengloke (who also won his second), and Zion. He made the grand finals once more in Season 7 with Alpha Wolfs, and reached third in Season 8 with Yishun Youth Club.

In Season 9 and 10 he reached the grand finals both times with Bryan Grape Club and TS, respectively, winning his third and final trophy with Larping Legends in Season 11. Despite placing 5th-6th with ML in Season 12, he was able to end his VCC career on a high note, subbing in for Legend of Zod in their grand finals win vs !sens.

He ends his VCC career as one of the most storied and consistent players in APAC history, and as one of the longest-tenured staff members.

samoan goat got his start in the very first season of VCC APAC with We Fell Off, being the only player in APAC who has played in all seasons up to this point, nearly four years after Season 1.

He has consistently been a top-rated player in 12 seasons, appearing in his first grand finals in Season 3 with GOATED, and winning his first trophy in Season 4 with Horny Badgers. He joined the APAC staff alongside nathe in Season 5, to add to his tenure as a player.

His teams were also known for having multiple players from other regions, but not being able to reach the heights he previously achieved in the following seasons despite strong and consistent performances. Finally, he reached the grand finals in Season 10 with TS, teaming up with nathe for the first time.

Season 11 marked the two's second partnership, with samoan goat earning his second trophy and a finals MVP nod with LL. Unlike nathe, Bucky Outlaw Odin Bullies (BOOBS) were not able to make it past groups in Season 12, despite samoan goat posting a strong 1.30 rating.

Before officially retiring, he will be playing for team Hong Kong in the upcoming APAC Country Cup 2026 tournament this weekend, where he will play his final games in the group stage.

We sat down with the both of them to ask a few questions, for them to reflect on their VCC journey, both as a player and as a member of the staff team.

With both of your retirements, what are your general thoughts about your VCC careers as players?

nathe: Since I joined at the start of 2023, I've really enjoyed the times I've spent in VCC, making new friends like samoan and tengloke (and even meeting them in real life), competing together with them and playing ranked with them. Honestly, it was the main reason I kept playing Val when a lot of the times I barely played outside. I'm sad that it's finally time to retire, but in all honesty, VCC just doesn't have many of the same players that I enjoyed playing with anymore, coupled with more responsibilities, I think it's finally time to call it quits.

samoan goat: I feel like there were lots of ups and downs in my VCC career, but it's good I guess. I usually punch myself in the gut by teaming up with the biggest **** ever but hey, I'm not that hungry for trophies, I'm not Ethan (nathe). And with me retired, I'm doing a favor to most other people in APAC, there is one less demon they face.

How about as a mod/staff?

nathe: It's been fun being a mod, but to be honest I've not really done too much past S6-8.

samoan goat: Genuinely some of the easiest sh-t ever. I did f--k all and sh-t's not hard.

As longtime members of the VCC APAC community, what can you say about the state of VCC now and how it has managed to stay afloat after almost 4 years of being run.

nathe: Just like how me and goofy joined in 2023, genuinely wanting to go all out and win a ring, there'll always be new people joining in to try their best in winning, and keep the game alive. Although it's seldom that people will stay forever, I really hope VCC will continue into season 80 where maybe Ken can finally win his first ring.

samoan goat: This tourney fell off after like Season 5 because some teams got unfair and there're not much anyone can do about it. Throw City people kinda revived it I guess, but it has never been the same.

What was your favorite moment in your VCC career?

nathe: Winning Season 3 was easily the best moment. Even though I couldn't play Map 3, I was able to celebrate with my teammates after they won and the feeling was just incredible. The afternoons I spent playing with my friends are also just a part of the journey I've had in VCC that I've enjoyed with all my heart.

For nathe: Do you think anyone currently in APAC can surpass your (and tengloke's) record of three trophies? If so, who?

nathe: Probably qwert, if I'm gonna be honest. He already has 2 trophies and is much much hungrier than me to play and win consistently. However, I do think 8 finals appearances is probably a record that might not be broken for a long long long time.

For samoan goat: Being the only player to play in all APAC seasons, what made you join VCC in the first place, and what made you keep signing up every season?

samoan goat: I joined because I was bored and I sign up every season because why the f--k not bro what else is there to do.

For nathe: Being one of the most consistent players season-by-season in VCC APAC history, what is the key to a good team (minus, of course, the underlying rigging)?

nathe: Playing and signing up with friends that you know in real life or at least are super close to. It's important to enjoy the game while you play, and not hate playing it and just competing with the sake of winning. After all, there's no prize for winning VCC, so the best thing you can do is go out there and have fun. Thank you VCC for all the memories!

APAC action returns on Friday, September 4, with the start of APAC Country Cup 2026. Stay tuned for an article previewing all the teams participating.