Saiyan (gamer)

Danford is from Cary, North Carolina.{{cite web |title=Saiyan: Final Boss |url=http://www.usanetwork.com/sports/mlg/theshow/characterprofiles/saiyan/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061217055858/http://www.usanetwork.com/sports/mlg/theshow/characterprofiles/saiyan/index.html |archive-date=December 17, 2006 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |website=USA Network}} He attended West Cary Middle School where he made the A Honor Roll.{{Cite news|date=September 11, 1998|title=Honor Roll, West Cary Middle|page=8F|work=The News and Observer|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93802876/|access-date=January 30, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}} He swam and played soccer during high school but a soccer accident his senior year, resulted in a bad break in his thumb.{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2005 |title=Retribution: The 3D Interview |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/retribution-the-3d-interview/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916153358/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/retribution-the-3d-interview/ |archive-date=September 16, 2017 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=Major League Gamming |via=Wayback Machine}}{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2006 |title=MLG Signs First Five Next-Level Pro Player Contracts! |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/mlg-signs-first-five-next-level-pro-player-contracts/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707094343/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/mlg-signs-first-five-next-level-pro-player-contracts/ |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=Major League Gaming |via=Wayback Machine}} He also broke his thumb on another occasion. These injuries caused ongoing pain, requiring him to ice his hand before gaming.

After graduating from high school, Danford attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.{{Cite news|last=Slayden|first=Tanner|date=April 23, 2006|title=Middle School Student is Major League Gamer|page=9|work=The Chapel Hill News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93804238/|access-date=January 30, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}} However, he took a year off in 2006 to focus on video gaming. Danford noted, "It's hard to keep your grades up at a top university and play on a top team."

Danford's handle Saiyan comes from a temporary name he selected to match the yellow master chief he was using while playing locally—the Saiyan are yellow-haired beings from the anime Dragon Ball Z. He recalls, "Every game I played that day I was on fire." Around that time, he needed a handle to enter the Halo 50k1 and went with the name from his winning streak—Saiyan. Held in April 2003, Halo 50K1 was one of the first tournaments in video gaming; Danford came in 2nd place with the Danford/Moore 4 vs. 4 team.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Danford began competing professionally in 2004 with Major League Gaming (MLG). That year, he played Halo: Combat Evolved with Team StK or Shoot to Kill. His teammates were Dave "Walshy" Walsh, Tom "OGRE2" Ryan, and Dan "OGRE1" Ryan.{{Cite web |date=February 17, 2005 |title=An Interview with StK |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com:80/news/an-interview-with-stk/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105142855/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com:80/news/an-interview-with-stk/ |archive-date=January 5, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=Major League Gaming |via=Wayback Machine}} Danford was released from StK after it can in second place at the MLG 50K3 in Atlanta in July 2004. StK picked up Danford for the Halo 2 2005 season.{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Haydar |date=2021-12-07 |title=ICYMI: A bite-sized recap of 20 years of Halo Esports |url=https://forerunner.gg/article/20-years-halo-recapped |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=ForerunnerGG}} In February 2005, Walshy said, "Basically, Ryan plays half as much as me, but he’s still as good, which is embarrassing for me." StK competed in five major events om 2005, coming in first place for all five.

After leaving StK in 2004, Danford joined Business Decision with NistiC, Sergio, StrangePurplle; they won their first tournament MLG Los Angeles in September 2004 and placed 3rd at the MLG New York City National Championships in October 2004."2004 New York Halo: CE 4v4 Results". web.archive.org. Major League Gaming. 2009-02-04. [https://web.archive.org/web/20170917153945/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/2004-new-york-halo-ce-4v4-results-2/ Archived] from the [http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/2004-new-york-halo-ce-4v4-results-2/ original] on 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2022-09-22.

In October 2004, he played with KillerN, Toxin, Tupac as the Chargers at MLG Boston, taking first place in Halo: Combat Evolved 4 vs. 4.

In April 2005, Team StK changed its name to Team 3D because of sponsorship by the esports organization Team 3D. Danford and Team 3D won five of their next six events. Team member OGRE2 noted, "Ryan (Saiyan) who sacrifices himself to go through the portal first and take a combo hit for the team gets no credit at all."{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2018 |title=Team 3D St. Louis Interview |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com:80/news/team-3d-st-louis-interview/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330135207/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com:80/news/team-3d-st-louis-interview/ |archive-date=March 30, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=Major League Gaming |via=Wayback Machine}} They ended the season as the number one ranked Halo 2 team and won the national championship. Danford's cash winnings for the season were approximately $40,000. He also won Major League Gaming's 2005 Pro's Choice Award.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

In December 2005, Danford discussed his recently expanded training regime: " I wake up. I ice my hand so they’re not sore from playing so much. Then I play all day. And I do it again tomorrow. I just realized that in Halo 1 you could just play the game, have fun and be good at it – for me at least – but in Halo 2 it’s all about the little things. So you just have to play it over and over to make sure you’re on. Then all those little things come together; the more you play the more consistent you are, and I think that it helped me to be more consistent and play my best."

When the Team 3D corporation dropped the team in April 2006, they changed their name to Final Boss.Magee, Kyle (April 20, 2006). [http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/team-3d-changes-name-to-final-boss-2 "Team 3D changes name to Final Boss] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716154929/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/team-3d-changes-name-to-final-boss-2 |date=July 16, 2017 }}". Major League Gaming. In June 2006, Danford and Final Boss signed a three-year contract with Major League Gaming.{{Cite web |date=2006-12-06 |title=Final Boss Changes Roster {{!}} Major League Gaming |url=http://www.mlgpro.com/?q=node/81375 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027075206/http://www.mlgpro.com/?q=node/81375 |archive-date=2007-10-27 |access-date=2022-09-22 }} The team's contract was for one million dollars to play exclusively for MLG, with Danford's cut being $250,000.{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2006 |title=Play Halo, Get Rich |url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/news/200606/134.asp |access-date=September 15, 2022 |website=Video Games Daily Archive |publisher=Kikizo}}{{Cite web |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=June 21, 2006 |title=Gamers get $1m MLG gig |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamers-get-1m-mlg-gig/1100-6152992/ |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} At the time, this was one of the largest signings in the history of professional esports. In addition to tournament play, Danford played with Final Boss on seven episodes of the Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit television show on USA Network.

Danford was voted Best Support Player and Most Unpredictable Player at the 2006 MLG Halo Pro's Choice Awards.{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2007 |title=Halo Pro's Choice Awards: Best Support Player |url=http://www.mlgpro.com/?q=node/96948&pagenumber=0&page=9&query=node/96948 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927172908/http://www.mlgpro.com/?q=node/96948&pagenumber=0&page=12&query=node/96948 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |website=Major League Gaming |publisher=Wayback Machine}}{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2007 |title=Halo Pro's Choice Awards: Most Unpredictable Player |url=http://www.mlgpro.com/?q=node/96948&pagenumber=0&page=12&query=node/96948 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927172908/http://www.mlgpro.com/?q=node/96948&pagenumber=0&page=12&query=node/96948 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |website=Major League Gaming |publisher=Wayback Machine}} With the former, MLG stated, "While stats do not often reflect how important the support player is to the success of the team, many teams live or die based on the work of their support man. These players were chosen to reflect not only their tremendous skill but their selfless attitudes and team-first mentality. Saiyan's natural awareness and fantastic shooting ability helped him edge out Karma in the race for gold in this category." In addition, MLG said, "Saiyan came away with the gold medal [for Most Unpredictable Player] in the voting here, as he is known not only to support his teammates during combat but also to slip behind enemy lines and completely disrupt the game plans of his opponents."

Despite these successes, Danford became the fall guy in November 2006 when Final Boss had its first loss, coming in second place to the team Carbon at MLG Orlando.{{Cite web |last=Lingle |first=Sam |date=November 19, 2006 |title=Boss Battle: Carbon vs. FB |url=http://www.ampedesports.com/news/2882/Boss-Battle-Carbon-vs-FB/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224065427/http://www.ampedesports.com/news/2882/Boss-Battle-Carbon-vs-FB/ |archive-date=February 24, 2007 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |website=Who's Hot? Amped World Ratings}} Not only was he out of favor with the gaming community, but his teammates expressed their disappointment with Danford's gaming performance and his overall commitment. At the time, a reporter noted, "While one player hardly deserves credit for the failure of an entire team, Danford’s situation as a fallen superstar on a team rocketing towards fame and fortune has made him a unique target of criticism, with some of it deserved; it isn’t hard to see his name at the bottom of the scoreboard in many of Final Boss’ losing efforts against their new rival."

Danford admitted that his game was sub-par at the time, but he practiced and planned new strategies for the 2005 MLG national championships in New York City, saying, “I’m not taking any chances for this, since it’s the biggest I’ve ever played in. I’m very confident going into tomorrow compared to how I’ve felt I’d play at the last few; I feel my hard work is going to pay off.”

Final Boss came in second place at the championships, losing the $100,000 first-place prize—more than the team had made by winning almost every MLG event of 2006. The loss led some to ask, "Did Carbon truly become the best, or did Final Boss just become lazy in their lordship?" Danford believes it was a mix of both. He was dropped from Final Boss on December 6, 2006.{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2006 |title=Final Boss Changes Roster |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/final-boss-changes-roster/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716155526/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/final-boss-changes-roster/ |archive-date=July 16, 2017 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=Major League Gaming |via=Wayback Machine}} He was replaced by StrongSide, a player previously dropped by Carbon.

Danford filed for free agency after the end of the 2006 season, giving up his contract with MLG.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} In 2007, he formed the team Make It Rain (MiR) with Detach, BoO, and Neighbor (also known as Toxinsneighbor).{{Cite web |date=April 9, 2007 |title=Time for Stormy Weather: MLG Interviews Make it Rain |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/time-for-stormy-weather-mlg-interviews-make-it-rain/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716121747/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/time-for-stormy-weather-mlg-interviews-make-it-rain/ |archive-date=July 16, 2017 |access-date=September 16, 2007 |website=Major League Gaming |via=Wayback Machine}} They were the number eight seed going into the first event of the MLG season. Make It Rain competed in the Halo 2 4 vs. 4 at the MLG Charlotte in April 2007, but only achieved 21st place.{{Cite web |date=2008-11-05 |title=2007 Charlotte Halo 2 4v4 Results |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com:80/news/2007-charlotte-halo-2-4v4-results-2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523181036/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com:80/news/2007-charlotte-halo-2-4v4-results-2 |archive-date=2019-05-23 |access-date=2022-09-22 |publisher=Major League Gaming}} This was a career low for Danford.

In June 2007, Danford played a new lineup with Detach, Burns, and Lunatic called the Rainmakers for the MLG Meadowlands Halo 2 4 vs. 4 competition. They lost to the 132nd seed Generation Four.{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2007 |title=Raincallers Hope to Battle Through Open 4v4 |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/make-it-rain-eliminated-from-open-4v4-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716103602/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/make-it-rain-eliminated-from-open-4v4-2/ |archive-date=July 16, 2017 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=Major League Gaming |publisher= |via=Wayback Machine}} Danford retired shortly after that game.

Danford preferred his controls inverted with the default buttons and sensitivity level five.

Danford was a founding member of Final Boss, considered one of the best Halo teams of all time; its members hold the record for the longest consecutive event-winning streak, with eight straight tournament victories in 2005 and 2006.Lingle, Samuel (July 27, 2015). "Evil Geniuses Defend Halo Championship Series title". The Daily Dot. Retrieved November 13, 2015. "That puts the team on the path to equalling the feat of legendary squads like Final Boss and Team 3D, who absolutely dominated the scene in 2005 and 2007."{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2006 |title=No Continues – Nationals Preview – Final Boss |url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/no-continues-nationals-preview-final-boss-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716082602/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/no-continues-nationals-preview-final-boss-2/ |archive-date=July 16, 2017 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=Major League Gaming |via=Wayback Machine}} Playing with Final Boss and its predecessors StK and Team 3D, Danford never placed lower than second and won sixteen events between 2004 and 2006.

In 2021, a multi-generational panel of players associated with the Halo Championship Series (HCS) ranked Danford at number 24 of the Top 25 Halo Players, noting: "Before retiring in 2007, Ryan racked up 21 event wins with an incredible average placing of 2.9!"{{Cite web |last=Halo Esports |date=September 26, 2021 |title=Halo Top 25 |url=https://twitter.com/hcs/status/1434958343924113412 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2021 |title=Top 25 Greatest Players of All Time |url=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/top-25-greatest-players-of-all-time |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=www.halowaypoint.com |language=en-us}} On Twitter, many fans said that he was not ranked high enough by HCS, suggesting that the short length of his career and his retirement before Halo 3 probably impacted his ranking.

• Halo Pro's Choice Awards Best Support Player, Major League Gaming, 2006
• Halo Pro's Choice Awards Most Unpredictable Player, Major League Gaming, 2006

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Professional Halo competition}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saiyan (gamer)}}

Category:Living people

Category:1985 births

Category:American esports players

Category:Halo (franchise) players

Category:People from Cary, North Carolina

Category:Final Boss (Halo team) players

Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni