“We just want to play as many games as possible” – MrFaliN on FUT’s Rebuild and Kickoff Lessons

Hotspawn spoke with FUT Esports’ Furkan “MrFaliN” Yeğen after their opening VCT EMEA Kickoff match against Gentle Mates. Despite the loss, MrFaliN and his squad are ready to stand strong this year in VCT EMEA.

Hotspawn: You’ve been playing with FUT for a while. You’re a mainstay of the Turkish FPS scene, so I wanted to know a little bit more about you.

How did you get into gaming? What’s your story?

MrFaliN: “I guess it’s kind of a random story for me because when I was trying to be a pro player in VALORANT, it just happened in a ranked game. Someone told me they were training for a team, so they said to come and try out, and that happened. After that I played for a lot of teams in Turkey, then I signed with FUT. I’ve been playing for them for about four years now, and I’m happy with it. I think they probably like me, so that’s why I’ve been here for four years. That’s it.”

Hotspawn: With the roster being rebuilt this year for FUT, a lot of longtime players have left. ATA KAPTAN and qRaxs are gone, and you’re now one of the veterans of the team.

How has it been training with the new rookies?

MrFaliN: “Sometimes it’s harder for me because the energy is really high. Because of my age and my veterancy, I try to keep up with them. But it’s really fun playing with them because they’re much more excited since it’s their first year. I’m just trying to be helpful so they can stay in tier one for a long time. It’s quite fun for me.”

Hotspawn: What do you think is the most important thing players need to learn when they move from tier two or collegiate into VCT?

MrFaliN: “There are a lot of different things. For example, between tier one and tier two there’s a really huge gap. All the kids I know who come from tier two say, ‘Brother, there are too many things for me. I have to learn a bunch of stuff.’ It’s really hard to adapt, but they’re rookies. They will learn, they will adapt, and they will do their best. I think they’re okay with that.”

Hotspawn: 2023 and 2024 were pretty good for FUT. You made Champions in 2024 and attended Masters as well. But 2025 was more difficult.

What’s your takeaway from last year that you want to change coming into 2026?

MrFaliN: “It depends on what we look at because we changed two important roles: flex and smokes. The smokes role is difficult to change. We’re trying new things. New blood can do things others wouldn’t, so we have to let them try. Everyone tries to get a rookie for one year, and if they glow up, you’re very lucky. Right now it’s the first game and the first season.

“We need to adapt them during Kickoff. If it doesn’t happen at Kickoff, we’ll look toward Stage play.”

Hotspawn: With the triple-elimination Kickoff format, you still have chances left. What was the biggest learning from today’s game?

MrFaliN: “It’s the excitement. We know how teams play and their styles, but you still have to adapt. For the two new rookies, it was their first match day, so they were very excited. They need to be courageous with their movements and their communication, and not get mentally drained. At Kickoff, we just want to play as many maps and games as possible so they can adapt for Stage play. That’s our goal right now.”

Hotspawn: What do you think about EMEA this year with so many rookies and rebuilds?

MrFaliN: “It might not be stronger, but it’s going to be difficult. There are a lot of new players you don’t know much about, and they don’t know much about you. They come from tier two with nothing to lose. It’s probably going to be difficult, so we’ll see on stage.”

Hotspawn: What would you tell players who want to go pro today?

MrFaliN: “Back in my years it was random, but now you have to use your skills and open your brain. Aim matters, but teams don’t look at aim as much anymore because everyone can shoot. Brain is the most important thing. Just use your brain.”

Hotspawn: How would you recommend training that?

MrFaliN: “It’s about coordinating your movement and predicting what enemies will do. Learn the game basics. For example, how Brimstone smokes work, how long Viper’s ultimate lasts. When you learn the game, you know how to play it.”

MRFALIN + FRENZY = ACE pic.twitter.com/1va98P25te

— VALORANT Esports EMEA (@vct_emea) January 20, 2026

Hotspawn: “How has it been building team compositions after the recent initiator changes, especially with Kickoff being the first major event?”

MrFaliN: “In the offseason probably no one learned much because you have to play on stage to try new things. The last few years had only two comps, and everyone played them. Now everything changed, so everyone is trying to adapt. If you can’t adapt in Stage 1 or Stage 2, you’re going to lose. At Kickoff, we try, we see, and when we see, we learn.”

Hotspawn: Who would you most like to face next?

MrFaliN: “Probably Gentle Mates again. I want to beat them. They played better than us today, but it was our first match. I want to beat Gentle Mates again, not any other team.”