DarkZero Exits Competitive VALORANT Scene
DarkZero, the organization known for its presence in the competitive VALORANT scene, is stepping away, according to recent reports by players and the organization itself. This news came to light when FaZe Clan’s coaching staff shared a message stating that their upcoming match with DarkZero had been cancelled. The message, allegedly from DarkZero, mentioned that the team has dropped VALORANT and apologized for the cancellation.
An Emotional Farewell
Justin “Trick” Sears, a former player for DarkZero, later confirmed the organization’s departure through a statement. Other members of the roster, including Adam “Ange” Milian and Taylor “drone” Johnson, have also removed any association with DarkZero from their Twitter bios. Yannick “KOLER” Blanchette, an inactive member of the team, expressed sadness over the organization’s exit and described DarkZero as one of the best organizations he has been a part of, emphasizing how they were like family and provided everything they needed.
Departure Amidst Shifting Landscape
DarkZero’s exit is part of a trend of organizations leaving VALORANT ahead of the shift to a partnership model in 2023. Other organizations that have recently departed the scene include NYFU, SoaR, Luminosity, and Shopify Rebellion. This partnership shift seems to be prompting significant changes within the competitive VALORANT ecosystem.
A Journey Cut Short
DarkZero entered the VALORANT scene just over a year ago, signing the Kooky Koalas roster. Although they had some success, defeating FaZe Clan during the qualifiers for VCT Stage Three Challengers One, they fell short of securing a spot in the main event. This pattern continued throughout 2022, with DarkZero failing to make it to the main event in both stages despite undergoing roster changes.
Update 2:42pm: In a statement released on Twitter today, DarkZero confirmed their departure, expressing hope for a future return and stating that they will continue to evaluate the evolving international and domestic leagues. All DarkZero players are now available as unrestricted free agents.
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