vinny fortnite
ESTNN remembers six Fortnite legends who called it quits and never looked back.
Competitive Fortnite Battle Royale’s journey from the early days until now is unlike any other game in history. Fans of the scene can attest to the humble beginnings, which included no moving storm circles and a reliance on healing items. The once iconic Battle Royale title helped breed some of gaming’s most recognizable names, such as Tyler “Ninja” Blevins and Nick “NICKMERCS” Kolcheff. However, the competitive scene had its own group of players that once dominated Fortnite tournaments and became historical figures.
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Many foundational players and personalities have moved on from Fortnite and have shown little to no interest in competitive ever again. Today, ESTNN highlights six transcendent players who said “I’m done” and bid adieu to the game they helped put on the map.
Harrison “Psalm” Chang
My dream is to be the most decorated competitor in gaming history. I have my eyes set on @PlayValorant next.
Thank you @FortniteGame for everything. I was given the chance to achieve what only few have had the pleasure of accomplishing.
"Dedication sees dreams come true."
KB— psalm (@psalm) April 5, 2020
Multi-game specialist Harrison “psalm” Chang is a legend in the Fortnite Battle Royale scene. Many referred to psalm as the “meta master” for his ability to adapt each season. His career began with a second-place finish in week three of the 2018 Fall Skirmish alongside fellow veteran Timothy “Bizzle” Miller. Psalm continued to thrive online in the lead-up to Fortnite’s inaugural World Cup event, which he qualified for as a solo in week three of the NA East Qualifiers. Against the expectations of most, psalm ventured to New York City and finished second in the Fortnite World Cup Solo Finals, netting him $1.8M USD and a place in the game’s illustrious competitive history.
Psalm continued his career in Fortnite through Season X and Chapter 2 – Season 1 but never replicated his runner-up finish at the World Cup, understandably so. His last tournament occurred in Chapter 2 – Season 2, where he took 146th in the week three FNCS Semi-Finals. Psalm then announced he would take his talents to Valorant in hopes of continuing his legacy as an all-time esports athlete. It was sad to see psalm leave, but we at least have the infamous Infinity Blade clip to remember him and his impressive World Cup showing.
Turner “Tfue” Tenney
Fortnite arguably wouldn’t have reached the level of fame and notoriety it enjoys today without one Turner “Tfue” Tenney. Coming from the world of H1Z1 and PUBG, Tfue became a seemingly overnight sensation in Fortnite Battle Royale. He began pub stomping on Twitch before entering the competitive scene. It didn’t take very long for Tfue to dominate. He started with two 2018 Fall Skirmish wins in weeks two and four. Tfue and his then duo partner Dennis “Cloakzy” Lepore claimed victory in the Fall Skirmish Finals, which won them an astounding $200K USD each.
Tfue’s career from then forward speaks for itself. He became one of the only original players to stand the test of time through Chapter 2. The former FaZe Clan member grew tired of the game in Chapter 2 – Season 3, prompting his switch to Call of Duty: Warzone to try something different. Since then, Tfue returned to competitive Fortnite only once to play Frosty Frenzy with Co1azo and former duo partner Tyler “Scoped” Appleby. While he never officially retired, the days of Tfue competing in Fortnite Battle Royale have come to an end, but there’s no denying his mark on the game.
Dennis “Cloakzy” Lepore
Like Tfue, Cloakzy enjoyed plenty of success in Fortnite Battle Royale as a content creator and competitor. He was one of the first members of FaZe Clan’s Fortnite roster, joining in March of 2018. Cloakzy proceeded to represent the organization well with multiple high finishes through the 2018 Summer and Fall Skirmish tournaments. Though he failed to qualify for the Fortnite World Cup, Cloakzy is a notable figure in the game’s history.
Many fans recognize Cloakzy and Tfue as arguably the most iconic duo in Fortnite. Unfortunately, Cloakzy would retire in Chapter 2 – Season 1 after an eighth-place FNCS result alongside Tfue, Leon “Khanada” Khim and Alex “Fiber” Bonetello. He is a prominent figure in competitive Fortnite but seems unwilling to return, given his recent surge in Call of Duty: Warzone.
Aydan “Aydan” Conrad
Former Ghost Gaming member Aydan “Aydan” Conrad is one of the few controller players who separated themselves from the pack in Fortnite’s early days. Most long-time fans will remember Aydan’s Tilted Towers duel against eventual duo partner Nick “NICKMERCS” Kolcheff at the 2018 Summer Skirmish. That showdown put Aydan on the map, who went on to rack up several high placements throughout his career. In 2019, Aydan qualified with fellow Ghost member Sean “Sean” Close for the Fortnite World Cup.
This achievement furthered his case for being arguably the best controller player at that time. Aydan’s results took a downturn after Season X, but he remained one of NA West’s best for a long time. He has not competed in Fortnite outside of Twitch Rivals tournaments since Chapter 2 – Season 2. Aydan is now a member of the New York Subliners Call of Duty organization and is one of the best Warzone players in the world.
Hayden “Elevate” Krueger
My future
Read: https://t.co/QBu0hIRud1
— Elevate (@ElevateFN) August 12, 2020
Former 100 Thieves player Hayden “Elevate” Krueger is another seasoned veteran who found his footing early in competitive Fortnite. He began competing in August of 2018, and it didn’t take long for him to find the winner’s circle. Alongside duo partner Davis “Ceice” McClellan, the two won WSOE 3, an early LAN tournament. Then, less than one year later, they marched into the Fortnite World Cup Duo Finals and finished third.
One million dollars richer, Elevate and Ceice parted ways soon after Fortnite Chapter 2 – Season 1. Elevate continued competing up to the FNCS Chapter 2 – Season 2 Season Finals, where he and Shawn “clarityG” Washington finished in 23rd place. Like psalm before him, Elevate moved into the Valorant scene, where he remains to this day. Unfortunately, the Canadian has shown no interest in returning to competitive Fortnite.
Vinny “Vinny1x” Giglan
I want all of you to know that I've decided to leave TSM. I no longer find fortnite fun or competitive. I (cont) https://t.co/WMir7Yfx97
— Vinny Gilgan (@vinny1x_) February 21, 2020
The once renowned TSM player —Vinny “Vinny1x” Gilgan — sat atop Fortnite’s tournament scene for some time. He emerged as a young talent in 2018 at the Fall Skirmish, where he and fellow legend Anthony “ZexRow” Colandro finished third, establishing themselves as a force. That success continued at the invite-only ESL Katowice Royale in 2019. Vinny secured the win in solos before he and ZexRow managed another third-place result.
Vinny and ZexRow’s transcendent partnership translated to a ninth at the Fortnite World Cup. The two players rejoined forces in Chapter 2 – Season 1, where they enjoyed a second-place FNCS finish. The list goes on for perhaps the game’s most underappreciated professional players of all time. Vinny’s competitive fire unfortunately burned out sometime between the World Cup and DreamHack Anaheim. He has not competed since then.
There are numerous former Fortnite pros who have since moved on stretches beyond the six mentioned on this list. However, these players are legends in the game’s storied history. Perhaps some will return for another Fortnite World Cup run, but that seems unlikely for most. Their legacies live on in Twitch archives and YouTube videos, reminding all who watch of their impact on the game.
Stay tuned to ESTNN for more Fortnite news and updates!