DarkZero Esports

An American organization, DarkZero Esports was founded in 2018 by Zachary Matula.{{cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/darkzero-esports-hits-the-jackpot-with-landmark-partnership-with-resorts-world-las-vegas-301350053.html|title=DarkZero Esports Hits the Jackpot with Landmark Partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas|agency=PR Newswire|via=DarkZero Esports|date=August 6, 2021|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} A private equity investor, Matula previously worked as a trader.{{cite web|last=Fitch|first=Adam|url=https://www.dexerto.com/esports/darkzero-hire-new-ceo-former-tsm-director-don-kim-1665366/|title=Sources: DarkZero find new CEO in former TSM director|work=Dexerto|date=September 30, 2021|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} Matula was the CEO of DarkZero until September 2021, when Don Kim filled the role; Kim previously served as the CEO of TSM (then known as Team SoloMid), another American esports organization. DarkZero is based in a facility in Las Vegas.

In April 2021, DarkZero announced a partnership with Respawn Products, specifically a one-year deal for the latter to become DarkZero's exclusive gaming furniture provider.{{cite web|last=Murray|first=Trent|url=https://archive.esportsobserver.com/darkzero-esports-respawn-products/|title=DarkZero Esports Announces RESPAWN Products as Gaming Furniture Partner|work=The Esports Observer|date=April 9, 2021|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} DZ also entered a partnership with Aim Lab,{{cite web|last=Murray|first=Trent|url=https://archive.esportsobserver.com/darkzero-aim-lab-partnership/|title=DarkZero Esports Announces Partnership With Aim Lab|work=The Esports Observer|date=May 27, 2021|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} which began in October 2020.{{cite web|last=Gideon|first=Matthew|url=https://thebusinessofesports.com/2021/07/07/darkzero-esports-and-aim-lab-create-rainbow-six-siege-training-program/|title=DarkZero Esports And Aim Lab Create "Rainbow Six: Siege" Training Program|work=The Business of Esports|date=July 7, 2021|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} Raven, a UK-based merchandise company, handles the team's apparel design and production.{{cite web|url=https://raven.gg/darkzero/|title=DarkZero|website=Raven.GG|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} DZ also has an ownership stake in Raven. In August 2021, they announced a partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas.

The organization first participated in competitive Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege (R6), joining the scene in November 2018, after acquiring SK Gaming's roster. In competitive R6 play, the team won the tenth season of the North American Rainbow Six Siege Pro League in 2019. They also won the North American League's 2020 August Major.{{cite web|url=https://darkzero.gg/si-2021-preview/|title=2021 Six Invitation Preview|website=darkzero.gg|date=2021|accessdate=April 26, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Cooke|first=Hunter|url=https://dotesports.com/rainbow-6/news/darkzero-complete-r6-roster-with-njr|title= DarkZero complete R6 roster with njr|work=Dot Esports|date=February 24, 2021|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} In 2022, DZ won the Charlotte Major, defeating Astralis.{{cite web|last=Lyons|first=Ben|url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/darkzero-esports-are-the-six-charlotte-major-champions-1086133/|title=DarkZero Esports are the Six Charlotte Major champions|work=Gamereactor|date=May 23, 2022|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} DarkZero's roster for the Charlotte Major title featured Hyper, Ecl9pse, njr, Panbazou, and Canadian.{{cite web|last=Craven|first=Joe|url=https://www.dexerto.com/rainbow-six/rainbow-six-charlotte-major-stream-schedule-results-teams-1823953/|title=DarkZero takes out Rainbow Six Charlotte Major 2022: Recap & full results|work=Dexerto|date=May 22, 2022|accessdate=April 26, 2024}}

In October 2024, DarkZero earned a spot at the BLAST R6 Major Montreal tournament after defeating M80 in the North America League 2024 Stage 2 semifinals. They took the series 2–1, with a strong showing on Border, followed by a narrow loss on Chalet, and a decisive comeback on Clubhouse.{{efn|Border, Chalet, and Clubhouse are all maps in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege.{{cite web|url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/rainbow-six/siege/game-info/maps|title=Maps|publisher=Ubisoft|accessdate=October 7, 2024}}}} This victory secured DarkZero's seventh international tournament berth since early 2023. They will face Soniqs in the grand final to determine the region's first seed and gain additional Six Invitational Points.{{Cite web|last=Via|first=David|date=October 6, 2024 |title=DarkZero Esports qualify for BLAST R6 Major Montreal |url=https://siege.gg/news/m80-qualify-for-blast-r6-major-montreal |access-date=October 7, 2024|website=SiegeGG}}

In June 2021, DZ signed the Kooky Koalas roster for the org's foray into Valorant.{{cite web|last=Robertson|first=Scott|url=https://dotesports.com/valorant/news/darkzero-enters-valorant-scene-with-na-roster|title= DarkZero enters VALORANT scene with NA roster|work=Dot Esports|date=June 24, 2021|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} This initial roster included Kyle "ScrewFace" Jensen, Yannick "KOLER" Blanchette, Nick "Harmon" Harmon, Adam "Ange" Milian, and Andy "Andersin" Collins, with Zack "huuaw" Solomon serving as the team's coach.{{cite web|url=https://darkzero.gg/darkzero-enters-valorant/|title=DarkZero Enters VALORANT|website=darkzero.gg|date=June 2021|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} They introduced a new roster lineup in April 2022,{{cite tweet|url=https://twitter.com/DarkZeroGG/status/1517563887524016129|title=Introducing DarkZero VALORANT 2022.|user=DarkZeroGG|number=1517563887524016129|date=April 22, 2022|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} which included ScrewFace, Ange, Trick, drone, and ZexRow, as well as neilzinho serving as head coach.{{cite tweet|url=https://twitter.com/DarkZeroGG/status/1486776075959025665|title=We're pleased to announce the signing of @neilzinho as the head coach of our VALORANT team.|user=DarkZeroGG|number=1486776075959025665|date=January 27, 2022|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} Despite this, DarkZero announced that July, they would be exiting the Valorant scene.{{cite web|last=Lyons|first=Ben|url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/darkzero-esports-is-temporarily-exiting-competitive-valorant-1137643/|title=DarkZero Esports is temporarily exiting competitive Valorant|work=Gamereactor|date=July 25, 2022|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} Performance wise, DarkZero found little success in Valorant play.{{cite web|last=Robertson|first=Scott|url=https://dotesports.com/valorant/news/eg-continues-to-fill-out-10-man-valorant-roster-with-former-darkzero-star|title= EG continues to fill out 10-man VALORANT roster with former DarkZero star |work=Dot Esports|date=January 24, 2023|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} The org stated it hoped its departure from Valorant would be temporary.

On June 20, 2024, DarkZero re-entered the competitive Valorant scene, signing the Turtle Troop roster. The roster consists of Brenden "Stellar" McGrath, Corey "Corey" Nigra, Brandon "Bdog" Sanders, Matthew "Wedid" Suchan and Jack "Add3r" Hayashi.{{cite tweet |number=1803850394877202777 |user=DarkZeroGG |title=DarkZero Valorant is Back 💥 |author=DarkZero Esports |date=June 20, 2024 |accessdate=June 20, 2024 |url=https://twitter.com/DarkZeroGG/status/1803850394877202777}}

In July 2022, the Japanese esports organization Reignite dissolved its Apex Legends roster, which consisted of Rhys "Zer0" Perry, Noyan "Genburten" Ozkose, and Rick "Sharky" Wirth.{{cite tweet|url=https://twitter.com/ReigniteJP/status/1543927610140332033|number=1543927610140332033|title=【IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT】|user=ReigniteJP|date=July 4, 2022|accessdate=April 25, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Snavely|first=Adam|url=https://dotesports.com/apex-legends/news/darkzero-signs-algs-stage-2-playoffs-champs-former-reignite-roster|title= DarkZero signs ALGS Stage 2 Playoffs champs, former Reignite roster |work=Dot Esports|date=July 5, 2022|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} Zer0 plays as the team's In-Game Leader (IGL).{{cite web|last=Sledge|first=Ben|url=https://www.thegamer.com/algs-championship-2023-darkzero-interview/|title=DarkZero: "Anything Outside Of Top Two Would Be Catastrophic" At ALGS Championship|work=TheGamer|date=September 5, 2023|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} The trio were fresh off their win of the ALGS Split 2 playoffs in Stockholm during the 2021–22 (ALGS Year 2) season. After taking multiple tests for COVID-19, Genburten was unable to play during these playoffs due a positive test on the first day of the tournament.{{cite web|last=Bull|first=Tom|url=https://esports.gg/news/apex-legends/reignite-without-star-man-genburten-win-algs-playoff-lan/|title=Reignite, without star man Genburten, win ALGS Playoff LAN|website=esports.gg|date=May 1, 2022|accessdate=June 24, 2024}} British loan player Jake "Jmw" Walters substituted as the third player.{{cite web|last=Sledge|first=Ben|url=https://www.thegamer.com/apex-legends-global-series-algs-playoffs-in-review-aussies-emerge-victorious-as-competition-plagued-with-issues/|title=Apex Legends Global Series Playoffs In Review: Aussies Emerge Victorious As Competition Plagued With Issues|work=TheGamer|date=July 17, 2023|accessdate=April 25, 2024}}

DarkZero then signed the trio as part of their entry into the ALGS scene, formally announcing their signing in July.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=David|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2022/07/all-australian-apex-legends-team-wins-apex-legends-global-series-championships/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711062020/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2022/07/all-australian-apex-legends-team-wins-apex-legends-global-series-championships/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2022|title=All-Australian Apex Legends Team Wins Global Series Championships|work=Kotaku|date=July 11, 2022|accessdate=April 25, 2024}}{{cite tweet|url=https://twitter.com/DarkZeroGG/status/1544332773883670528|title=Welcome DZ APEX|number=1544332773883670528|user=DarkZeroGG|date=July 5, 2022|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} The All-Australian trio would shortly thereafter go on to win the 2022 ALGS Championship, winning $500,000.{{cite AV media|last=Chung|first=Stella|url=https://www.ign.com/videos/darkzero-wins-2m-2022-algs-championship-ign-compete-fix|title=DarkZero Wins $2M 2022 ALGS Championship - IGN Compete Fix|work=Compete Fix|via=IGN|date=July 12, 2022|accessdate=April 25, 2024}}{{cite news|last=Davison|first=Ethan|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2022/07/15/apex-legends-esports-raleigh-darkzero/|title='Apex Legends' esports' stadium debut is a rebirth, not a victory lap|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 15, 2022|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} With TSM and OpTic engaging in a "chaotic endgame", DZ won out against Spacestation and GMT in the final circle of the championship match.{{cite web|last1=McIntyre|first1=Isaac|last2=Davison|first2=Ethan|url=https://dotesports.com/apex-legends/news/darkzero-win-2-million-apex-legends-algs-championship|title= DarkZero win $2 million ALGS Championship, clinch second straight Apex title |work=Dot Esports|date=July 10, 2022|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} The win marked the second consecutive title for Zer0, Genburten, and Sharky, due to their ALGS Split 2 victory. Their ALGS Championship victory came so soon after their official signing with DarkZero, that the organization had not yet updated their website to include bios for the players.

During ALGS Year 3, DarkZero was considered by esports media writers and fans as one of the favorites of the competition alongside TSM.{{cite magazine|last=Landis|first=Robbie|url=https://esi.si.com/apex-legends/tsm-vs-darkzero-next-algs-champion|title=TSM vs DarkZero: Who will be the next ALGS Champion?|magazine=Esports Illustrated|date=September 5, 2023|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} In November 2022, the team acquired Jaimson "PVPX" Moore as their head coach.{{cite magazine|last=Landis|first=Robbie|url=https://www.si.com/esports/apex-legends/apex-legends-global-series-2023-split-2-playoffs-5-teams-to-watch|title=Apex Legends Global Series: 2023 Split 2 Playoffs, 5 Teams to Watch|magazine=Esports Illustrated|date=July 11, 2023|accessdate=June 16, 2024}} In April 2023, during the middle of the 2022–23 (ALGS Year 3) season, Sharky left the team, expressing he lost passion for Apex; Beau "RamBeau" Sheid would fill-in for DarkZero's vacant roster spot.{{cite magazine|last=Landis|first=Robbie|url=https://esi.si.com/apex-legends/rambeau-joins-darkzero-two-weeks-after-algs-retirement|title=RamBeau Joins DarkZero Two Weeks After ALGS Retirement|magazine=Esports Illustrated|date=April 13, 2023|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} This was met with controversy, with other professional players criticizing this situation. Following the end of the ALGS Pro League regular season, RemBeau was left off the DZ roster and the organization instead picked up Rody "Xynew" Geissler as their third player. Zer0 and Genburten cited Xynew's "communication skills and game brain" as reasons they greenlit his acquisition; they also expressed that these strengths were unusual for a controller player such as Xynew. Now with Xynew, DarkZero won the 2023 ALGS North American (NA) Regional Finals.{{cite magazine|last=Landis|first=Robbie|url=https://esi.si.com/apex-legends/darkzero-win-algs-2023-na-regional-finals|title=DarkZero win ALGS 2023 NA Apex Pro League Regional Finals|magazine=Esports Illustrated|date=May 8, 2023|accessdate=April 25, 2024}}

Just shortly prior to the ALGS Year 3 Split 2 Playoffs, the team dropped PVPX and picked up coach "zz". DZ were challenged by the Aurora Gaming org during the group stage of the ALGS Split 2 playoffs.{{cite magazine|last=Landis|first=Robbie|url=https://esi.si.com/apex-legends/aurora-challenges-darkzero-algs-split-2-playoffs|title=Aurora Challenges DarkZero in ALGS Split 2 Playoffs Group Stages|magazine=Esports Illustrated|date=July 13, 2023|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} DarkZero ultimately went on to win the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs.{{cite web|last=Labilles|first=Justin-Ivan|url=https://dotesports.com/apex-legends/news/darkzero-one-up-tsm-at-algs-split-2-playoffs-to-win-third-international-crown|title= DarkZero one-up TSM at ALGS Split 2 Playoffs to win third international crown |work=Dot Esports|date=July 16, 2023|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} Going into the Year 3 Championship, DarkZero were ranked second in the Apex Global Power Rankings – the rankings are determined by panelists from within the Apex Legends community.{{cite magazine|last=Richman|first=Olivia|url=https://esi.si.com/apex-legends/apex-global-power-rankings-algs-championship-2023|title=These Are the Best Apex Legends Teams in the World — Apex Global Power Rankings 2023|magazine=Esports Illustrated|date=September 5, 2023|accessdate=April 26, 2024}}

Ahead of the 2023–24 ALGS season (or ALGS Year 4), Apex Legends publisher Electronic Arts (EA) announced DarkZero as one of the 12 ALGS partner teams;{{cite magazine|last=Landis|first=Robbie|url=https://esi.si.com/apex-legends/algs-year-4-partner-teams-tsm-darkzero|title=EA and ALGS Announce Year 4 Partnership Program|magazine=Esports Illustrated|date=November 30, 2023|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} these teams receive "a variety of support programs and contributions" from EA and the game's developer, Respawn Entertainment.{{cite web|url=https://www.ea.com/games/apex-legends/compete/news/year4-partner-program|title=Year 4: Partnership Program|publisher=Electronic Arts|date=2023|accessdate=April 25, 2024}} DZ's coach, "zz", quelled rumors that team would be returning to the APAC region for Year 4.{{cite web|last=Mira|first=Luís|url=https://www.dexerto.com/apex-legends/darkzero-shut-down-relocation-rumors-ahead-of-algs-year-4-2325677/|title=DarkZero shut down relocation rumors ahead of ALGS Year 4|work=Dexerto|date=October 6, 2023|accessdate=April 25, 2024}}

In January 2024, DarkZero signed Nicholas "Sikezz" Odom.{{cite tweet|url=https://twitter.com/DarkZeroGG/status/1745898667276464526|title=The best kept secret in all of Apex 😈|user=DarkZeroGG|number=1745898667276464526|date=January 12, 2024|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} He was previously signed to XSET, but left in November 2023, stating he had another roster spot lined up.{{cite web|last=Mclaughlin|first=Declan|url=https://www.dexerto.com/apex-legends/algs-2024-rostermania-tracker-apex-legends-team-rosters-and-rumors-2298376/|title=ALGS 2024 rostermania recap: NA Pro League team changes|work=Dexerto|date=January 22, 2024|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} Shortly thereafter, Xynew was announced to have joined Spacestation Gaming, effectively ending his tenure with DZ.{{cite tweet|url=https://twitter.com/Spacestation/status/1753108395375341709|title=They couldn't keep us away forever 😏|user=Spacestation|author-link=Spacestation Gaming|number=1753108395375341709|date=February 1, 2024|accessdate=April 26, 2024}} In February, DarkZero assembled an all-women's Apex roster. Dubbed "DZ Eve", the roster includes players "Renee", "Scarlita", and "Samuraisky".{{cite web|last=Lyons|first=Ben|url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/darkzero-signs-womens-apex-legends-roster-1361003/|title=DarkZero signs women's Apex Legends roster|work=Gamereactor|date=February 20, 2024|accessdate=April 25, 2024}}

DZ finished in first-place in the 2024 ALGS Split 1 Pro League standings for the North American region.{{cite web|last1=Lemay|first1=Ryan|last2=Labilles|first2=Justin-Ivan|url=https://dotesports.com/apex-legends/news/algs-pro-league-2024-full-split-1-scores-and-standings|title= ALGS Pro League 2024: Full Split One scores and standings |work=Dot Esports|date=March 26, 2024|accessdate=May 5, 2024}} Heading into the 2024 ALGS Split 1 Playoffs, TSM's ImperialHal referenced DarkZero as their rivals.{{cite web|last=Chen|first=Amy|url=https://esports.gg/news/apex-legends/imperialhal-interview-red-bull-gaming-algs-split-1-playoffs-2024/|title=ImperialHal talks Red Bull Gaming and ALGS Split 1 Playoffs: "Other teams are not really an issue"|website=esports.gg|date=May 1, 2024|accessdate=May 5, 2024}} DarkZero would be one of the first two teams to reach match point in the Split 1 Playoffs, but ultimately lost to Reject Winnity.{{cite web|last=Snavely|first=Adam|url=https://dotesports.com/apex-legends/news/reject-win-algs-split-one-playoffs-breaking-darkzero-tsm-dominance-in-pro-apex|title= REJECT win ALGS Split One Playoffs, breaking DarkZero, TSM dominance in pro Apex |work=Dot Esports|date=May 6, 2024|accessdate=May 19, 2024}}

On May 14, it was announced that Zer0 and Genburten would join with ImperialHal to form a "superteam" for Year 4 Split 2, though it was initially unclear if this was to be under DarkZero or as part of a different organization.{{cite web|last=Sledge|first=Ben|url=https://www.thegamer.com/apex-legends-imperialhal-leaves-tsm/|title=Apex Legends GOAT ImperialHal Leaves TSM|work=TheGamer|date=14 May 2024|accessdate=15 May 2024}}{{cite web|last=Marie ZT|first=Hannah|url=https://dotesports.com/apex-legends/news/imperialhal-leaves-tsm-to-join-former-rivals-on-apex-super-team|title= ImperialHal leaves TSM to join former rivals on Apex super team |work=Dot Esports|date=May 13, 2024|accessdate=May 30, 2024}} On May 28, it was announced that the Saudi organization Team Falcons had signed the trio, ending both Zer0 and Genburten's tenure with DarkZero.{{cite web|last=Taifalos|first=Nicholas|title=Apex legends ImperialHal, Genburten, and Zer0 join forces on Saudi-backed superteam |url=https://dotesports.com/apex-legends/news/apex-legends-imperialhal-genburten-and-zer0-join-forces-on-saudi-backed-superteam|work=Dot Esports|date=28 May 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}} In light of this move, DarkZero opted to release Sikezz, as well as zz, and their analyst "Privacy", as the org reevaluated its Apex position.

;Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

{{Esports roster header|team=DarkZero Esports|game=Rainbow Six Siege|nav=yes|bg1=#500778|color1=#FFFFFF|bg2=#48A9C5|color2=#000000}}

{{Esports player | handle = SpiriTz| first = Zachary| last = Dionne| nat = CA}}

{{Esports player | handle = NJR | first = Nick | last = Rapier | nat = US}}

{{Esports player | handle = Panbazao | first = Roberto | last = Feliciano | nat = US}}

{{Esports player | handle = CTZN | first = Ben | last = McMillan | nat = GB}}

{{Esports player | handle = Nafe | first = Nathan | last = Sharp | nat = UK}}

{{Esports roster footer|roster_url=|transaction_date=December 17, 2024{{efn|DarkZero's timeline and roster listings on Rainbow Six Siege{{'}}s publisher Ubisoft's website state the most recent transaction was KangruKenny joining the team.{{cite web|url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/esports/rainbow-six/siege/team/39/timeline|title=DarkZero Esports - Timeline|website=ubisoft.com|accessdate=January 15, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/esports/rainbow-six/siege/team/39/roster|title=DarkZero Esports – Roster|website=ubisoft.com|accessdate=January 15, 2025}}}}|head_coach=Ryan "KangruKenny" Morrow|asst_coach=Jonah "Booshie" Goodwine}}

Source:{{cite web |title=Teams |url=https://darkzero.gg/team/ |accessdate=April 26, 2024 |website=darkzero.gg}}

• Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS):
• ALGS Championship (2021–22)
• Split Playoffs winners (2022–23 Split 2)
• Pro League – North America 1st-place finishes (2023–24 Split 1)

• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege major wins:
• Charlotte 2022 major
• North American regional August 2020 major

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://darkzero.gg/}}

{{Apex Legends}}

Category:2018 establishments in the United States

Category:American Internet groups

Category:Apex Legends teams

Category:Esports teams based in the United States

Category:Esports teams established in 2018

Category:Sports clubs and teams in Las Vegas

Category:Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege teams

Category:Valorant teams