When Gentle Mates hoisted the Major 1 trophy in Dallas, it wasn’t just another win on the board. It was a seismic shift. Even if composed by US players, for the first time in the CDL Era, an officially French team, proudly based in Paris, stood at the top of the world. For everyone who has followed this scene for the past fifteen years, this moment tasted like both a long-awaited comeback and a powerful symbol.
At the heart of this epic, one name serves as the common thread: Gotaga.
The Early Days: When France First Showed Its Teeth
Let’s take a step back. In the early 2010s, French CoD esports meant local LANs in internet cafes and cross-border trips to challenge giants on the EGL or ESWC circuits. While North Americans dominated the scene, France quickly became the "talent hub" of Europe. We had the skill, we had the grit—all we were missing was that world-class crowning achievement.
This is where Corentin "Gotaga" Houssein entered the legend. Wearing the jerseys of mythiX, Millenium, or Vitality, he became "The French Monster," putting France on the global map. It was also during this era that a technical love story began: Gotaga adopted SCUF controllers. With the introduction of back paddles, a small revolution took place. You weren’t just playing Call of Duty anymore; you were mastering it. SCUF became the essential tool for anyone aiming for the elite level.
Europe as a Playground, the World in Sight
Throughout the 2010s, French teams were everywhere. We cheered during EGL2 in London, where mythiX became the first French organization to win a major competition. The talent was undeniable, and the community was the most passionate on the continent... but the glass ceiling of the modern CDL still felt unbreakable. Until now.
From a Player’s Legacy to the Birth of Gentle Mates
Gotaga’s story didn’t end when he hung up his jersey. By transitioning from player to content creator and then team owner, he brought an entire nation with him.
At SCUF, we’ve stood by him through every chapter for over a decade. We’ve shared wild projects, from the SCUF House—the temple of French gaming—to the unforgettable Game of Korps on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.
Then came 2023. Alongside Squeezie and Brawks, he founded Gentle Mates. It’s more than just a team; it’s a culture. In 2025, our partnership reached a new peak with the launch of two distinct designs: one reflecting the M8 lifestyle identity, and a high-performance version dedicated specifically to their CDL roster for the global stage. And, of course, the iconic "Gotaga" design remains the foundation of our shared history.
The Turning Point: Dallas Was Only the Beginning
All those years of hard work converged at a single point on the map: Dallas. Paris Gentle Mates' victory at Major 1 is far more than a trophy. It is the end of a 15-year wait. It is proof that French passion, when backed by the right support and equipment, can shatter any ceiling.
Full Circle (But We’re Just Getting Started)
This success is the culmination of thousands of practice hours, sleepless nights, and a fervor that never wavered. From the very first SCUF x Gotaga controllers customized for LAN performance to the SCUF x Gentle Mates controllers held by world champions in Dallas, we are proud to be the partner of this journey.
History is in the making, and we aren't slowing down anytime soon.