40 Facts About Tenz

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Tyson "TenZ" Ngo's journey to esports stardom began in Canada. His early life and initial steps into the competitive gaming world laid the foundation for his future success.

1. Birth and Nationality: TenZ was born in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. He is of Vietnamese and French descent.

2. Early Career: TenZ began his esports career in October 2019 as a CS:GO player for Cloud9.

3. Transition to Valorant: In April 2020, TenZ announced his decision to retire from CS:GO and transition to Valorant, becoming Cloud9's first professional player in the title.

Rise to Fame with Sentinels

TenZ's move to Sentinels marked a significant turning point in his career. His performances with the team brought him international acclaim.

4. Cloud9 to Sentinels: In April 2021, Cloud9 loaned TenZ to Sentinels after Sinatraa's suspension. Sentinels later bought out his contract in June 2021.

5. VCT Stage Two Masters Reykjavík: TenZ and Sentinels won the first international Valorant tournament, VCT Stage Two Masters Reykjavík, by sweeping Fnatic in the grand finals 3-0.

6. Grand Finals MVP: TenZ was named the grand finals most valuable player for his outstanding performance in the VCT Stage Two Masters Reykjavík.

Unique Skills and Preferences

TenZ's gameplay is characterized by his exceptional mechanical skills and unique preferences, which set him apart from other players.

7. Mechanical Skills: Known for his exceptional mechanical skills, TenZ is often praised for his ability to execute complex maneuvers with ease.

8. Agent System in Valorant: TenZ has expressed his preference for the mechanical aspect of CS:GO over the agent system in Valorant, which he finds can lead to frustration and toxicity.

9. Colorblindness: TenZ revealed that he is protanomaly colorblind, which affects his ability to see certain colors. He uses yellow instead of red as his enemy highlight color in Valorant.

10. ADHD Diagnosis: TenZ has ADHD and has spoken publicly about how he manages the disorder during competitive gaming sessions.

Personal Life and Content Creation

Beyond his professional career, TenZ has a rich personal life and a strong presence in content creation.

11. Content Creation: After taking a break from professional Valorant in January 2021, TenZ focused on content creation before returning to Sentinels.

12. Engagement and Personal Life: TenZ is currently engaged to Kyedae Shymko, a content creator. The couple announced their engagement in August 2022.

13. Residence: TenZ moved to Los Angeles in January 2022 to pursue his gaming career and other ventures.

Achievements and Records

TenZ's career is decorated with numerous achievements and records that highlight his impact on the esports scene.

14. Achievements in Valorant: TenZ was the first player to reach Valorant rank (now known as Radiant) in North America during the Closed Beta.

15. Record-Breaking Performance: During VCT 2022: North America Stage 2 Challengers, TenZ made 40 kills in a single match against Luminosity Gaming.

16. Team Success: With Sentinels, TenZ has claimed two VCT Masters titles and has been a key player in the team's success.

17. Career Earnings: TenZ has earned approximately $180,517 in prize money throughout his professional career.

Equipment and Settings

The tools and settings TenZ uses are crucial to his performance. His preferences in hardware and in-game settings are often emulated by fans.

18. Hardware Preferences: TenZ uses a Ninjutso Sora V2 mouse with 1600 DPI and 1000 Hz polling rate, along with a Wooting 60HE keyboard and Xtrfy H1 headset.

19. Monitor Settings: He plays on a ZOWIE XL2546 monitor with a 240 Hz refresh rate and 1920×1080 in-game resolution.

20. Mouse Settings: TenZ's mouse settings include a sensitivity of 0.173 and zoom settings set to 1, with raw input enabled.

21. Mousepad: He uses a Lethal Gaming Gear Saturn Pro mousepad.

Community Impact and Recognition

TenZ's influence extends beyond his gameplay. His engagement with the community and recognition in the esports world are noteworthy.

22. Competitive Experience: TenZ has extensive competitive experience, having played in numerous international tournaments and leagues.

23. Community Impact: TenZ is widely regarded as one of the greatest Valorant players of all time, with a dedicated fan base that admires his skills and personality.

24. Nominations and Awards: TenZ has been nominated for several awards, including Best Esports Athlete at The Game Awards 2021 and Esports PC Player of the Year at the Esports Awards 2021.

25. Gamer of the Year: In 2023, TenZ won the Gamer of the Year award, recognizing his contributions to the gaming community.

26. Best FPS Streamer: TenZ has been nominated for Best FPS Streamer at The Streamer Awards 2022 and 2024, showcasing his influence beyond competitive play.

Philosophy and Approach to Gaming

TenZ's approach to gaming, shaped by his experiences in CS:GO and Valorant, offers insights into his success.

27. Mechanical Consistency: TenZ emphasizes the importance of consistent mechanical improvement, which he believes is a key factor in his success in CS:GO and Valorant.

28. Lessons from CS:GO: He notes that playing CS:GO helped him develop a strong mechanical foundation, which he applies to Valorant with great success.

29. Agent Abilities in Valorant: While TenZ appreciates the creative aspects of Valorant, he acknowledges that the game's agent abilities can sometimes lead to frustration and toxicity among players.

30. Strategic Focus in CS:GO: In contrast, TenZ highlights that CS:GO focuses more on strategic play, such as smoke lineups, which he finds appealing and rewarding.

Engagement and Philanthropy

TenZ's active engagement with the community and his philanthropic efforts demonstrate his commitment to giving back.

31. Community Engagement: TenZ is known for his active engagement with the community, often streaming and interacting with fans on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

32. Philanthropy: TenZ has been involved in various charity events and fundraisers, using his platform to give back to the community.

Legacy and Recent Developments

TenZ's legacy in esports is cemented by his achievements and recent milestones, marking the end of an era in professional gaming.

33. Influence on Valorant: TenZ's gameplay and strategies have influenced many players in the Valorant community, making him a role model for aspiring professionals.

34. Challenges Faced: Despite his success, TenZ has faced challenges such as dealing with toxicity and maintaining his mental health during intense gaming sessions.

35. Mental Health Awareness: TenZ has spoken publicly about the importance of mental health awareness, encouraging others to prioritize their well-being in the competitive gaming scene.

36. Career Milestones: TenZ achieved a significant milestone by becoming the second-ever Valorant player to win two Masters trophies, following Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov.

37. Recent Achievements: On March 24, 2024, TenZ helped Sentinels win the 2024 VCT Masters Madrid, marking his second international trophy with the team.

38. Retirement Announcement: On September 14, 2024, TenZ announced his retirement from professional Valorant, ending his journey as a competitive player.

39. Legacy in Esports: TenZ's legacy in esports is cemented by his achievements in both CS:GO and Valorant, inspiring future generations of gamers and streamers.

40. Impact on Gaming Culture: Through his unique gameplay style and engaging personality, TenZ has contributed significantly to the evolution of gaming culture, making him a beloved figure in the esports community.

TenZ's Lasting Impact on Esports

TenZ's journey from a young CS:GO player to a Valorant legend showcases his dedication and skill. His transition to Valorant, winning international tournaments, and setting records has cemented his place in esports history. Known for his mechanical prowess and strategic mind, TenZ has influenced countless players and fans. His openness about ADHD and mental health has also made him a relatable figure, encouraging others to prioritize well-being.

Despite challenges like dealing with toxicity, TenZ's positive impact on the gaming community remains undeniable. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy will inspire future generations. TenZ's contributions to both CS:GO and Valorant have shaped the competitive landscape, making him a true icon in esports. As he moves on to new ventures, his influence will continue to resonate within the gaming world.