The once undisputed giant of the gaming content world, FaZe Clan, appears to be disintegrating, starting from this past holiday season with a host of high-profile departures. Longtime veterans and budding superstars, with the likes of Adapt, Lacy, StableRonaldo, and YourRage, all officially departed from the organization right on the day of Christmas. The exit of Adapt is particularly symbolic; he has been the backbone of the brand since 2011, and his exit marks the end of an era for a group that originally defined the “brag shot” and lifestyle content pipeline of Call of Duty in its early days.
Stakeholders apparently internalise struggle for creative liberties and cash undertakings as the major trigger for this abrupt operation. Departing members, especially PlaqueBoyMax, were vocal in their discontent with the management led by former FaZe Media CEO Banks and their alleged lack of control over their content and intellectual property. Rounding out the claims were whispers from industry peers including suggestions by Adin Ross that parent company GameSquare’s supposed demand for a 20-percent cut of creator earnings created an untenable financial environment for the roster.
The depth of these losses has produced some overt chaos for the remaining of the organization. With nearly half of the active content roster departed, the remaining members Rug and ZooMaa expressed authentic shock and heartbreak over the news, devoid of any forewarning about the timing of the announcements. This internal haze points to major cut-and-dry differences between the executives and the public persona that is his talent.
With FaZe Clan entering the year 2020, they now enter a critical juncture. The exodus of these creators, coming on the heels of the high-profile exit of Nickmercs earlier this year and Banks’ stepping down due to controversial matters involving cryptocurrency, fuels rumors—backed by remarks from creators like Valkyrae—that the creators leaving are banding together to form a new independent collective—while FaZe Clan warily garners scraps from a once-great brand that is unrecognizable to its old fans.
