Twitch streamer Shroud didn’t start his brand through content creation. Shroud may now be known as one of Twitch’s top streamers, but he was initially recognized as one of the best esports players in the world. He spent years playingCounter-Strike: Global Offensiveat the highest level. In 2018, Shroud retired from professional esports and started streaming full-time. Four years later, it seems Shroud is ready to give esports a try once more, this time withValorant.
On Friday, Shroud officially confirmed that he’s joined a new esports team to playValorant, at least temporarily. The team’s name is Sentinels, and it recruited Shroud to fill a gap on its roster ahead of a major upcoming tournament. Shroud made the announcement via a short video shared on social media in which he revealed his Sentinels jersey. It’s the first esports team Shroud has joined since he stepped down from Cloud9’s active roster in April 2018.
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Before any fans of Shroud’s Twitch stream panic, there’s no need to worry. Shroud isn’t dedicated to a permanent esports return. Sentinels recently had a key member of its roster, SicK, step down, citing a family emergency. Shroud will be filling this role during Sentinels' upcoming tournament, the incredibly important Last Chance Qualifier for the Valorant Champions 2022 tournament to be held in September. If Sentinels win the Last Chance Qualifier, he’ll stick around for the tournament. Lose, and Shroud’s back to enjoying esports retirement.
To his credit,Shroud plays a lot ofValorantand other first-person multiplayer shooters at a high level. Whether he plays at a level that would make him competitive among the world’s best professional esports players is another question entirely. Only one team of eight will win the Valorant Champions Tour Last Chance Qualifier tournament and Sentinels weren’t the favorite even before they had to seek a player to fill.
Inviting Shroud to fill out the Sentinels roster for the upcoming Last Chance Qualifier is being dismissed by some as a promotional tactic. In other words, Sentinels are accused ofhiring Shroud to bring attention to the brandand not with a focus on winning. Shroud will undoubtedly draw in a lot of attention. The rest is up to Shroud to prove.
The Valorant Champions Last Chance Qualifier will officially begin in August, with more specific information to be shared soon. Shroud will undoubtedly be streaming a lot ofValorantin the weeks to come as he preps for the tournament. Win or lose, it should bring a lot of attention toValorant’s esports sceneand this year’s Champions tournament.
