Esports firm turned Wall Avenue laughing inventory, FaZe Clan, is on the middle of one other controversy as its members combat over the current signing of Stranger Issues actor and Twitch streamer, Grace Van Dien. Loud members like Nordan “FaZe Rain” Shat criticized the signing as a cash seize, whereas Van Dien mentioned Rain wasn’t even part of the choice making course of.
FaZe Clan, a loosely affiliated blob of esports groups, gaming content material creators, and heated gamer vibes, introduced that Van Dien was becoming a member of the group on Could 25 with a short video displaying the Stranger Issues actress’ longtime love affair with gaming and transition to Twitch streamer. It was met with derision by some FaZe followers who accused it of being a determined clout chase by company fits raiding the model to line their very own pockets.
The controversy spilled over into the feedback. Whereas FaZe Clan members like Santana pushed again, others like Censor, Banks, and Adapt piled on, together with a response video by Rain (by way of Dexerto) dunking on Van Dien’s announcement. “As soon as once more Grace I closely apologize that you just’re form of in the midst of this,” he mentioned. It continued:
You appear to be a really good harmless lady and I do know you could have like no half to this and you actually don’t perceive what’s happening this all outdates you, you haven’t any concept,” he mentioned. “Within the appearing business within the music business within the sports activities world, bro for each million {dollars} an athlete or a musician makes there’s an outdated white man making 10 occasions that on high of it, simply so you understand, that’s how these industries work.
Van Dien responded to the sexist backlash in her own stream. “FaZe Rain mentioned that the one cause I used to be signed by FaZe was as a result of I used to be on Stranger Issues,” she mentioned. “I’m sorry sir, have been you within the assembly with us? Had been you there? No I’ve by no means fucking met you.” Van Dien mentioned that her look within the fourth season of the hit Netflix present was what received her the assembly, nevertheless it was the dialogue that went from there that in the end satisfied the group to signal her.
Rain, a FaZe Clan member from lengthy earlier than its disastrous try to go public final 12 months, has been criticizing the corporate for months now, saying its made dangerous selections, ruined the model, and simply usually bought out. It’s definitely true that the group has been a multitude not too long ago, with a share value so low it’s quickly to be delisted from the New York Inventory Trade and a sequence of not too long ago reported layoffs and excessive profile departures like Snoop Dogg who resigned from the board of administrators final month.
What additionally appears clear is that the group, constituted of conflicting personalities with a penchant for controversy, drama, and the occasional rip-off, wants to seek out new followers with a purpose to develop. With a roster dominated by males, signing extra ladies to replicate the various viewers of people that really play video games is an apparent transfer. And Van Dien has been successful loads of followers since she beganstreaming on Twitch (which she began doing partly to get away from sexual harassment within the movie business).
However the place all of it leaves FaZe Clan stays unclear. The marketplace for esports is presently crumbling, and former talks of an eventual $1 billion valuation now appear extra ridiculous than ever.