Riot Games is once again demonstrating its commitment to honoring the memories of its players. This time, the focus is on the late Karel ‘Twisten’ Ašenbrener, a professional Valorant player whose life was tragically cut short. The tribute comes in the form of a Player Title, immortalizing Twisten within the game he was so passionate about.
Twisten, a standout Valorant player for Team Vitality, sadly passed away on July 7. He had previously battled depression, leading to a brief stay in a mental health hospital earlier this year. Despite his personal struggles, Twisten’s skill as a Jett player propelled him to prominence on the esports teams BIG and Entropiq, before he found his home with Team Vitality in late 2022.
Riot’s homage to Twisten isn’t the first time the company has paid tribute to a professional player in this manner. In the Episode 6 Act 3 Battle Pass, Riot honored Gizem ‘Luie’ Harmankaya, another talented player who lost her life in the aftermath of the Turkish earthquakes. Luie was a prominent figure in the EMEA Game Changers circuit.
Fans of Twisten and Valorant will be able to obtain the Twisten Player Title through the free version of the Battle Pass, becoming available once they’ve completed the fifth tier.
Riot Games Honors Late Pro Twisten with Player Title in Valorant
Twisten’s passing sparked an outpouring of support and remembrance from the Valorant community. Many community figures pledged donations to mental health charities as a tribute to the late pro. Even before his untimely death, Twisten himself initiated a charity drive during the VCT LOCK//IN event, promising a donation for every Shorty kill he made during the competition.
The community has continued to support Twisten’s charity drive, even beyond his passing. For the VCT Masters Tokyo event, community members pledged over $6,000 to the cause, keeping Twisten’s altruistic spirit alive.
As Valorant’s new Episode releases on June 27, players have the chance to further honor Twisten’s memory. By unlocking the Player Title dedicated to him, they can carry his legacy forward in the game he loved.
With this tribute, Riot Games shows that the Valorant community is not just about competition and gaming, but also about supporting and remembering each other in times of loss. As we remember Twisten, let’s also remember to extend our support to those who may be battling invisible fights, just like he did.
Stay updated with the latest news in gaming and esports by signing up for early access to TalkEsport’s Mobile App. Follow us on Twitter and Google News to ensure you never miss the exciting updates.
