‘The COD Thing is Kind of Chalked’: FormaL Walks Back Call of Duty Return

As a seasoned gamer who’s been around the block a few times, I can’t help but feel for FormaL. The guy’s talent is undeniable, and his journey from Call of Duty to Halo and back again is nothing short of legendary. But the constant bridesmaid, never bride situation at major tournaments has got to be tough.

Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper was recently left devasted after a second-place finish at the Halo World Championship. The FPS esports legend was spitting distance from the grand prize yet again, as OpTic Gaming fell short against Spacestation in Seattle just days ago. It marked a year of second-place finishes, and while the prize money has remained substantial, lifting the trophies has been out of reach for Piper.

A few weeks back, the renowned gamer hinted at coming back to Call of Duty with the launch of Black Ops 6. However, his closest associates have been baffled about his plans, but FormaL himself has now clarified that a return might not happen as previously speculated.

Run it Back

2021 saw the retirement of FormaL from Call of Duty esports, as he chose to represent OpTic Gaming in the Halo competitive scene instead. His performance there has been highly commendable. Shortly after his return to the Halo scene, FormaL managed to win a world championship title, making him one of only two professional eSports players who have earned a championship ring in two distinct games.

Over the past couple of months, there have been signs suggesting he’s eager to come back, but during his latest live broadcast, the 29-year-old esports player admitted that it seems his chance for a return may have passed.

I don’t want to retire and then regret retiring. It’s a tough spot to be in. The COD thing is kind of chalked because I didn’t join a roster when I had a chance. That ship has kind of sailed for now, until people start getting shit on in the League. That would be the next opening.
In order for me to make that particular decision, join the team, and sign the contract, these events would have already taken place prior to the occurrence of the Worlds tournament.

He was then asked if he even could have managed a spot in the CDL:

Likely or possibly, yet I’m not certain I would choose to do so. It’s quite demanding, unlike Halo which has been my go-to for years. In Halo, we practice scrimmages only once daily at 5pm, it’s a relaxing pace.

Here’s the full clip, courtesy of SpawnUp:

FormaL discusses his future strategies for the upcoming year, and shares that he’s been extended an opportunity to be part of a CDL team! 🤩
“I needed to take action and join the squad prior to the Halo Championships
— SpawnUp⬆️(CDL Clips) (@SpawnUpgg) October 11, 2024

Informal version: FormaL is a top-notch competitor, and any team would consider themselves fortunate to have him on their roster, regardless of the game they’re playing. It’s evident in the video that Piper seems down following Halo Worlds, and it appears his future optimism might be lacking, but one thing is certain: he’s not quite ready to hang up the gaming controllers just yet.

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