The Impact of TenZ Leaving Competitive Valorant: What’s Next for the Esports Scene?

Tyson ‘TenZ’ Ngo’s retirement has created a significant impact within the Valorant esports community, as this exceptional talent decided to step away from his mouse and keyboard. This decision is not an isolated chapter in the journey of former esports professionals, as TenZ follows a well-trodden path.

On September 14, TenZ became part of the growing trend of esports athletes retiring to focus on content creation.

The winner of both Masters Reykjavík and Madrid expressed his fatigue from the relentless grind required to compete at the elite level, opting instead to delve into his potential as a streamer and creator without the demands of rigorous practice and tournament commitments.

TenZ remarked that he has always aspired to be a streamer and content creator, with his journey into esports feeling like a natural progression from playing broadcast games.

TenZ on Sentinels before VCT free agency began — Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

TenZ holds two international trophies.

In his retirement announcement, he said, “I think professional play kind of just came at me because I grinded the game so much. I put so much effort in and I was able to get good enough to be called a professional-level talent.”

His rationale closely mirrors that of Michael ‘shroud’ Grzesiek, who transitioned from Counter-Strike to focus on streaming back in 2018.

Shroud stated, “There isn’t a rule book for how to become a professional video game player. You don’t grow up planning for it, or even knowing it’s an option… And then you wake up, one day, and you’re trying to figure out how to write a retirement statement,” in his announcement.

Interestingly, TenZ also retires at the age of 23.

Nevertheless, TenZ’s retirement stands out as a more prominent shift compared to those who transitioned before him.

TenZ Stands Apart from Shroud and His Peers

Unlike shroud, Tarik ‘tarik’ Celik, or Félix ‘xQc’ Lengyel, TenZ was the hallmark of his esport. He was the pioneering professional Valorant player, making his mark while on Cloud9’s CS:GO roster, and clinched the first major international Valorant event in 2021.

The Canadian player was frequently surrounded by requests to swap jerseys and collaborate with fellow pros at events, with many of today’s prominent players citing TenZ as their inspiration for embarking on their professional journeys.

Other retired esports professionals who have now become streaming icons, like shroud and xQc, had extensive followings prior to leaving competitive gaming, which facilitated their pivot to content creation.

However, they were not the faces of their respective games.

None of TenZ’s contemporaries can parallel his monumental influence on Valorant or the esports landscape as a whole, particularly regarding his career and retirement.

That said, TenZ can credit his transition to the foundational paths laid by those who came before him, as their journeys post-esports can guide his next steps.

TenZ’s Plan Post-Esports

The closest comparison to TenZ is shroud, as both Canadians built substantial followings with Cloud9 and retired at a similar age for comparable motivations.

Post-retirement, shroud, especially during his last months as a competitor, often played games outside of Counter-Strike. Like many other streamers, he explored popular titles of the moment, but retained ties to his roots by occasionally prioritizing FPS games.

TenZ has indicated that he plans to concentrate on Valorant for his streams, but don’t be surprised if he diversifies into Deadlock or other trending games.

Sentinels shroud before his official debut — Sentinels Twitter

Shroud is renowned for his exceptional aiming skills.

A return to the competitive scene is also a possibility, with TenZ expressing a willingness to rejoin the Sentinels if necessary. Notable retired pros with large followings have made short-term returns to competitive gaming in the past.

A recent example is shroud, who came back as a last-minute substitute to rekindle interest in the Sentinels brand after a challenging 2022 season. Another example includes the Delta Fox Challengers team, composed entirely of retired League of Legends pros with significant Twitch followings.

However, many ex-esports players have prioritized broadening their reach beyond their original games, and TenZ is likely no exception. He may aim to become a prominent figure in a new title, similar to what tarik has accomplished with Valorant, or venture into various content avenues such as IRL streaming.

Unlike tarik and shroud, TenZ appears eager to explore the world and seek different content opportunities. While both tarik and shroud seem content to remain home and play games for their vast audiences, TenZ expressed in his retirement video a desire to travel and attend events he previously couldn’t due to professional commitments.

This inclination aligns him with xQc, who has significantly expanded beyond his Overwatch origins.

The trajectory for a select few former pros seems to involve outgrowing the esports realm they originated from. Whether TenZ can or will achieve this remains uncertain. Regardless, it wouldn’t be surprising if he finds financial security from his illustrious Valorant career, and his absence will be deeply felt within the competitive scene.

As for the Valorant pro scene, TenZ leaves a substantial void as a player admired by many. While this may raise concerns about the future of the esport, it simultaneously creates ample opportunity for a new prodigy to emerge and establish themselves as the face of the esports domain.

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