TenZ steps down from Valorant esports to focus on streaming

By Fariha Bhatti

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Jan 13, 2021

Reading time: 2 min

Valorant pro Tyson “TenZ” Ngo will no longer be a part of Cloud9 Blue’s active roster. The star player has announced he is taking an indefinite leave from the game’s esports scene. 

The 19-year-old spent seven months on Cloud9 Blue’s roster after being transferred from Cloud9’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive division. TenZ is set to remain under the Cloud9 umbrella, but as a streamer. 

Cloud9 released a video montage to bid farewell to its ace, in which TenZ specified that he wants to create more content. The Valorant pro clarified that stepping down from the professional roster was his personal choice as he wants to concentrate on his streaming career.

“I’m going to be stepping down from the Cloud9 Blue team to pursue content creation,” TenZ said in Cloud9 farewell video. 

Valorant competitive play has started to gain traction, and TenZ stepping down comes as a surprise for the fans. Cloud9 Blue delivered sub-par performance across online tournaments, something that caused him to reconsider his career in Valorant despite the fact he consistently sits atop the North American Valorant Leaderboards. The team stumbled in significant tournaments like JBL Quantum Cup and First Strike: North America. Cloud9 secured mediocre finishes despite having a roster decorated with skilled players. 

TenZ was one of the first notable players to quit CSGO to enter Valorant. His arrival launched a player exodus in CSGO scene, as more players moved to furnish Valorant esports. After being the first player to reach Radiant rank in North America, TenZ finished first in Elite Esports and Rivalry Bowl tournament. 

TenZ may return to competitive Valorant

Cloud9’s newly minted streamer will continue to follow the competitive scene even after his exit. The player has said he may return to competitive when “the time is right.” 

TenZ currently boasts about 700 followers on Twitch and has a stable viewer base. Despite a blooming following, the streamer hopes to make a comeback when Valorant esports scene has stabilized. It is uncertain if he is referring to larger prize pools, an introduction of live events, a transfer to another team, or possibly a return to CSGO. Regardless, TenZ has left a lasting impression on Valorant esports and remains one of the game’s top talents. 

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