Mew2King

Zimmerman began competing in tournaments in 2005 at the age of 16.{{cite interview|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/no-johns-mlg-interviews-mew2king|title=No Johns: MLG Interviews Mew2King|first=Jason|last=Zimmerman|interviewer=Kyle Magee|date=April 27, 2010|website=Major League Gaming|access-date=January 30, 2015|archive-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925035526/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/no-johns-mlg-interviews-mew2king|url-status=dead}} Kashan "Chillindude" Khan described M2K as having little natural aptitude for the game, becoming good through practicing a lot. Previously, in 2004, he spent over 2,000 hours with help from SuperDoodleMan collecting data about various attacks and movements in Melee.{{cite web|url=http://clashtournaments.com/mew2kings-melee-information-and-discoveries/#more-110 |title=Mew2King's Melee Information and Discoveries |website=CLASH Tournaments |date=December 18, 2012 |access-date=April 10, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407114321/http://clashtournaments.com/mew2kings-melee-information-and-discoveries/ |archive-date=April 7, 2015 }} During 2006, Zimmerman went from being relatively unknown to being one of the best players in the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/mlg-interview-mew2king-2|title=MLG Interview Mew2King|website=Major League Gaming|first=Kyle|last=Magee|date=July 11, 2007|access-date=April 4, 2015|archive-date=April 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412145923/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/mlg-interview-mew2king-2|url-status=live}} In 2007, he managed to place 9th at EVO World 2007.{{cite web|url=http://smashboards.com/threads/smash-in-2007-year-in-review.143600|title=Smash in 2007: Year in Review|website=SmashBoards|author=AlphaZealot|date=February 10, 2008|access-date=April 4, 2015|archive-date=December 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204195433/http://smashboards.com/threads/smash-in-2007-year-in-review.143600/|url-status=live}} Zimmerman was considered the best Melee and Brawl player from 2008{{ndash}}2009. From 2010{{ndash}}2014, his tournament placing declined and he began losing to improving newer players. Zimmerman and Wyatt "ADHD" Beekman, were banned by Major League Gaming from competing in MLG Dallas 2010, after the two had allegedly conspired to manipulate brackets at Brawl event at MLG DC 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/content/alerts/317934/Pro-Smashers-Banned-from-Dallas-Event-Following-Conduct-Violations-in-D-C|title=Pro-Smashers-Banned-from-Dallas-Event-Following-Conduct-Violations-in-D.C.|website=Major League Gaming|access-date=January 25, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |last1=Serrels |first1=Mark |title=Pro Smash Players Banned For Match Fixing |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/10/pro-smash-players-banned-for-match-fixing/ |access-date=2 November 2021 |work=Kotaku Australia |date=October 27, 2010 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102005054/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/10/pro-smash-players-banned-for-match-fixing/ |url-status=dead }} The ban came after ADHD had stated that he paid Zimmerman {{USD}}300 to lose the loser's bracket final, a violation of MLG rules. MLG dropped Brawl from their pro circuit at the end of 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/super-smash-brothers-thriving-across-the-country|title=Super Smash Bros. Thriving Across the Country|first=Chris|last=Brown|website=Major League Gaming|date=December 8, 2011|access-date=January 30, 2015|archive-date=December 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206224805/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/super-smash-brothers-thriving-across-the-country|url-status=dead}}

For most of 2013, M2K had not won a major tournament all year until he went on a winning streak where he won virtually every tournament he attended, including those with Mango present, whom he had not beaten for several years.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/big-house-4-rocks-leffen-mang0-mew2king/|title=Big House 4 shows why watching esports is better in person|website=The Daily Dot|author=Ian J. Barker|date=October 10, 2014|access-date=January 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923223124/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/big-house-4-rocks-leffen-mang0-mew2king/|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=dead}} In 2014, Zimmerman lost to aMSa in winners quarters and Armada in losers finals at Kings of Cali 4.{{cite web|url=http://www.ongamers.com/articles/kings-of-cali-4-results-videos-ft-mang0-armada-mew/1100-1956/|title=Kings of Cali 4: Results + Videos (Ft. Mang0, Armada, Mew2King, aMSa)|first=Kyle|last=Charizanis|date=July 21, 2014|website=onGamers|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=January 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130113028/http://www.ongamers.com/articles/kings-of-cali-4-results-videos-ft-mang0-armada-mew/1100-1956/|archive-date=January 30, 2015|url-status=dead}} Zimmerman finished 2nd to Mango at Big House 4 in Romulus, Michigan.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/big-house-4-rocks-leffen-mang0-mew2king/|title=Big House 4 shows why watching esports is better in person|first=Ian J.|last=Barker|date=October 10, 2014|website=The Daily Dot|access-date=January 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923223124/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/big-house-4-rocks-leffen-mang0-mew2king/|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=dead}} After a complex leveling game, Juan "Hungrybox" Debiedma defeated Zimmerman at Paragon Orlando 2015.{{Cite web| title = Hungrybox gets inside Mew2King's head| first = Imad| last = Khan| website = The Daily Dot| date = January 19, 2015| access-date = January 27, 2015| url = http://www.dailydot.com/esports/paragon-2015-hungrybox-mew2king/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150130122916/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/paragon-2015-hungrybox-mew2king/| archive-date = January 30, 2015| url-status = dead}}

File:Mew2King.png

From 2009 to 2014, Zimmerman was a member of Empire Arcadia (EMP), a company that has also sponsored e-sports players such as Justin Wong. He left the organization after having issues with back payment from the organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.esportsmax.com/news/mew2king-departs-empire-arcadia-after-issues-surrounding-payment|title=Mew2king Departs Empire Arcadia after Issues Surrounding Payment|first=Dustin|last=Steiner|date=January 26, 2015|website=Esports Max|access-date=January 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130010117/http://www.esportsmax.com/news/mew2king-departs-empire-arcadia-after-issues-surrounding-payment|archive-date=January 30, 2015|url-status=dead}} Zimmerman alleges that since 2009 EMP president Isaiah "Triforce" Johnson has owed him "{{usd}}5k total more/less" and has lent Johnson more than {{usd}}1,000. From 2011 to 2014, Zimmerman was sponsored by CLASH Tournaments (CT).{{cite web|url=http://shoryuken.com/2014/05/22/jason-mew2king-zimmerman-and-adam-armada-lindgren-released-from-clash-tournaments-roster/|title=Jason "Mew2King" Zimmerman and Adam "Armada" Lindgren Released from CLASH Tournaments Roster|author=Ian "iantothemax" Walker|date=May 22, 2014|access-date=January 25, 2015|archive-date=January 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128132214/http://shoryuken.com/2014/05/22/jason-mew2king-zimmerman-and-adam-armada-lindgren-released-from-clash-tournaments-roster/|url-status=live}} From 2012 to 2014, Zimmerman was signed with Vancouver-based Play-For-Keeps, an online e-sports betting service.{{cite web|url=http://www.esportsheaven.com/articles/view/5252/play-for-keeps-here-to-stay|title=PLAY FOR KEEPS: HERE TO STAY?|first=Ben|last=Green|date=June 19, 2014|access-date=January 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227035927/http://www.esportsheaven.com/articles/view/5252/play-for-keeps-here-to-stay|archive-date=February 27, 2015|url-status=dead}}

Zimmerman has supported Pastime Gaming and Most Valuable Gaming since late 2014 and started working as a business manager for the latter. By late 2014 to early 2015, Zimmerman began focusing his time on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and online streaming and plans on playing fewer online tournaments due to hand problems.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/mewtwoking/posts/963598156991986|title=Moved to Phoenix, AZ.|website=Facebook|date=March 11, 2015|access-date=March 30, 2015|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217041257/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmewtwoking%2Fposts%2F963598156991986|url-status=live}} His tournament placings have also declined, placing tied for 9th at Apex 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2015/jan/30/apex-2015-live-stream-ft-mango-ppmd-armada-mew2king-hungrybox-leffen-wobbles-hax-axe-amsa-and-more/|title=Apex 2015 results feat. Mango, PPMD, Armada, Mew2King, Hungrybox, Leffen, Wobbles, Ice, Axe, aMSa, PewPewU, Lucky and more|website=EventHubs|first=Nicholas "MajinTenshinhan"|last=Taylor|date=February 1, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2015|archive-date=March 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325200928/http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2015/jan/30/apex-2015-live-stream-ft-mango-ppmd-armada-mew2king-hungrybox-leffen-wobbles-hax-axe-amsa-and-more/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/us/en/esports/stories/1331713136573/friendlies-tsm-leffen-the-villain|title=Friendlies: TSM Leffen, Smash's Loveable Villain|first=Barrett|last=Womack|date=March 24, 2015|website=Red Bull|access-date=March 27, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402073837/http://www.redbull.com/us/en/esports/stories/1331713136573/friendlies-tsm-leffen-the-villain|url-status=live}} In April 2015 he became a member of esports team COGnitive Gaming.Challenger Approaching Around June 2015, Zimmerman suffered a hand injury and missed CEO 2015 and EVO 2015. He did however attend Super Smash Con in August 2015 where he placed 2nd after losing to Leffen. On August 31, he defeated Leffen in the grand finals of PAX Prime 2015, thereby ending the streak of Swedish players winning national tournaments.{{cite web|url=http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2015/aug/30/smash-pax-finals-day-live-stream-ft-mew2king-leffen-zero-westballz-and-more/|title=Smash @ PAX results feat. Mew2King, Leffen, ZeRo, Westballz|first=Steven 'Dreamking23'|last=Chavez|website=EventHubs|date=August 30, 2015|access-date=September 1, 2015|archive-date=August 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831232107/http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2015/aug/30/smash-pax-finals-day-live-stream-ft-mew2king-leffen-zero-westballz-and-more/|url-status=live}}

At Paragon Los Angeles 2015, Zimmerman placed second, losing to Mango in Grand Finals.{{cite web|url=http://www.ssbwiki.com/Paragon_Los_Angeles_2015|title=Paragon Los Angeles 2015 - SmashWiki, the Super Smash Bros. wiki|date=July 23, 2021|access-date=September 10, 2015|archive-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910042144/http://www.ssbwiki.com/Paragon_Los_Angeles_2015|url-status=live}}

Zimmerman finished 9–12th in Melee singles at GENESIS 3 in January. In early April, Zimmerman left COGnitive. On April 17, 2016, Zimmerman joined Echo Fox.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/echo-fox-sign-mew2king-super-smash-melee/|title=Echo Fox expands into Smash, signs Mew2King|website=The Daily Dot|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=May 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011155818/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/echo-fox-sign-mew2king-super-smash-melee/|archive-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}

Zimmerman finished in 1st place in Melee singles at Smash Summit 6 in May 2018. Zimmerman did not lose in the bracket stage, managing to defeat Armada twice, including during the grand finals. He became the first player to win a Smash Summit event outside of Armada and Hungrybox.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ssbwiki.com/Tournament:Smash_Summit_6#Singles|title=Tournament:Smash Summit 6|date=March 30, 2021|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508055012/https://www.ssbwiki.com/Tournament:Smash_Summit_6#Singles|url-status=live}}

On February 4, 2024, Zimmerman explained in a video on his YouTube channel why he had been absent from competing, citing toxicity in the Melee community.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-8coQlHCJ0 | title=Why I Stopped Melee | website=YouTube | date=February 4, 2024 }}

Zimmerman was born on February 5, 1989.{{cite tweet |user=MVG_Mew2King |author=Jason Zimmerman |number=1357775378744565762 |title=It's my bday! |date=February 5, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Imad |title=Mew2King continues his battle with Smash and self |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21264323/mew2king-continues-battle-smash-self |access-date=May 11, 2021 |work=ESPN |date=November 2, 2017 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511163239/https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21264323/mew2king-continues-battle-smash-self |url-status=live }} His handle comes from the Pokémon Mewtwo. Zimmerman grew up in Cinnaminson Township, New Jersey, and is a 2007 graduate of Cinnaminson High School.{{cite book|title=The Buccaneer|publisher=Cinnaminson High School|year=2007|url=http://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/Cinnaminson-High-School/4182753484|access-date=January 25, 2015|archive-date=January 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128113701/http://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/Cinnaminson-High-School/4182753484|url-status=live}} He attended Lorain County Community College before transferring to Camden County College, from where he has an associate degree in game design/computer science. Zimmerman said that he had to do an additional half-year of school again because several credits would not transfer.{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/27hj87/what_can_i_do_to_improve_as_a_person_and_other|title=What can i do to improve? As a person (and other things)|website=Reddit|date=November 27, 2013|access-date=April 10, 2015|archive-date=March 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313211845/http://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/27hj87/what_can_i_do_to_improve_as_a_person_and_other|url-status=live}} He is uninterested in pursuing a bachelor's degree.{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/1rluq5/ctemp_mew2kings_ama_and_lots_of_other_stuff/|title=CT/EMP Mew2king's AMA! (and lots of other stuff)|website=Reddit|date=November 27, 2013|access-date=April 10, 2015|archive-date=March 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311160400/http://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/1rluq5/ctemp_mew2kings_ama_and_lots_of_other_stuff|url-status=live}}

Zimmerman has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome,{{cite web|url=http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/this-is-your-brain-on-esports|title=This Is Your Brain on ESports|website=Vice Motherboard|first=Basim|last=Usmani|date=February 24, 2014|access-date=January 27, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130003730/http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/this-is-your-brain-on-esports|archive-date=January 30, 2015}} obsessive–compulsive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/1rluq5/ctemp_mew2kings_ama_and_lots_of_other_stuff/|title=CT/EMP Mew2king's AMA! (and lots of other stuff)|last=Zimmerman|first=Jason|date=November 27, 2013|website=Reddit|language=en|access-date=2020-04-09|archive-date=March 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311160400/http://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/1rluq5/ctemp_mew2kings_ama_and_lots_of_other_stuff|url-status=live}} and has had depression and suicidal thoughts for most of his life.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/mew2king-free-agent-leaves-emp/|title=Mew2King now a free agent after row over late payments|website=Daily Dot|first=Imad|last=Khan|date=January 27, 2015|access-date=March 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111935/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/mew2king-free-agent-leaves-emp/|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVuEST8RdL8 |title=My Thoughts |date=July 5, 2020 |website=YouTube |language=en-US |access-date=March 11, 2019 |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704165448/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVuEST8RdL8 |url-status=live }} He has attributed much of his social growth to the Smash community.

From May to November 2014, Zimmerman, lived in Los Angeles with YouTube gaming personality Sky Williams. In early 2015, Zimmerman moved to Phoenix, Arizona. In the summer of 2015, he moved to Florida. Zimmerman is a full-time video game player who streams on Twitch{{cite web|url=http://www.twitch.tv/mew2king|title=Mew2King|website=Twitch|access-date=February 3, 2015|archive-date=February 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206004632/http://www.twitch.tv/mew2king|url-status=live}} and attended tournaments almost every week in 2014. He is a co-owner of video game tournament organizing company Most Valuable Gaming.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/jason-zimmerman/|title=Jason Zimmerman|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=November 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123101639/https://www.forbes.com/profile/jason-zimmerman/|url-status=live}} He was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 "Games" List for 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2019/games//|title=30 Under 30 2019: Games|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=February 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208091953/https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2019/games/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneymakers.com/8-esports-leaders-and-professional-gamers-make-forbesunder30/|title=8 eSports Leaders and Professional Gamers Make #ForbesUnder30|last=Kramer|first=Melanie|date=November 15, 2018|website=Money Makers|language=en-US|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022182218/https://www.moneymakers.com/8-esports-leaders-and-professional-gamers-make-forbesunder30/|url-status=live}}

A 2009 photo of Zimmerman getting kissed by a girl at a Super Smash Bros. tournament has become a widely circulated viral image across the internet, including an article written on the subject by ESPN.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17547645/the-story-most-viral-meme-smash-history|title=The story behind the most viral meme in Smash history|date=September 14, 2016|access-date=October 10, 2016|archive-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010212650/http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17547645/the-story-most-viral-meme-smash-history|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

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{{Echo Fox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mew2King}}

Category:1989 births

Category:American esports players

Category:Cinnaminson High School alumni

Category:COGnitive Gaming players

Category:Echo Fox players

Category:Empire Arcadia players

Category:Living people

Category:People from Cinnaminson Township, New Jersey

Category:People from Lorain County, Ohio

Category:People from Los Angeles

Category:Sportspeople from Burlington County, New Jersey

Category:Sportspeople from Phoenix, Arizona

Category:People with Asperger syndrome

Category:People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Category:American disabled sportspeople

Category:People with obsessive–compulsive disorder

Category:Autistic sportspeople

Category:Super Smash Bros. Melee players

Category:American Twitch (service) streamers

Category:Super Smash Bros. 64 players

Category:Super Smash Bros. Brawl players

Category:Super Smash Bros. for Wii U players

Category:Project M players

Category:Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players

Category:Camden County College alumni

Category:21st-century American sportsmen