(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); With Team Liquid’s announcement of entering competitive Overwatch, former CSGO professional player Kevin “AZK” Lariviere will be making the jump into Blizzard’s new shooter game.

The CSGO player, who formerly played on iBUYPOWER, received a lifetime ban by Valve from participating competitive CSGO events.

In early 2015, Valve banned members of then iBUYPOWER and NetCodeGuides.com for participating in match-fixing. In total, some $10,000 worth in skins and stickers were involved in the transactions among the players complicit.

While the community gave mixed reactions as to the length of the ban, AZK said that he felt that his lifetime restriction from CSGO was deserved and that he is looking forward to start anew in Overwatch.

In a statement on Team Liquid, AZK said:

“Even though I realize that I hurt the scene that I enjoyed so much, the only way I know to prove that I’ve changed is through competition. I know that many of you are skeptical about me participating in esports again, but I swear to do it right.”

Liquid co-owner Victor “Liquid`Nazgul” Goossens said in the same statement:

“What he did in CS:GO is one of the worst offenses a professional gamer can ever commit. The punishment for this needs to be taken very seriously and I am glad Valve has paved the way as a publisher by stepping in with research and judgment to ensure a healthy environment for all aspiring gamers“…It has put us in a spot with this team where we had to seriously think about our course of action. After speaking at length about the situation with AZK as well as dummy we are ready to move forward with this team. Eighteen months later and in a different game, we feel confident it is time for a second chance and new opportunity, and we are excited to see what AZK does with it.”

AZK will join players from Overwatch competitive team, Life of Hanzo. The teams is composed of players with backgrounds in other shooters, namely Quake, TF2 and Counter-Strike.

Team Liquid’s new Overwatch roster competed at the ONOG Overwatch Invitational. They lost 0-2 to VET and were knocked out of the lower bracket team IMPULSE 11.

Team Liquid Overwatch:
Keven “AZK” Larivière
Tim “aHanG” Fogarty
Tim “ummy” Olson
Cody “Frisco” Day
Adam “MESR” De La Torre
Jacob “Vee” Calderon

I would like to think that after all that shit with ibuypower he learnt his lesson. I know for sure that steel and dazed have since they always mention on their stream how much they regret it. Obviously it could be a front but I think they really did learn from the permanent ban. Hopefully they will return to the competitive scene (won't happen for CS:GO of course) in another game, I think steel and swag have also been playing overwatch a lot as well so we may see them return.

I couldn't agree more. I was so disappointed with the IBP match fixing. It would be pretty cool to see the entire IBP team switch to Overwatch.

I really hope it goes well I might have to start watching over watch comp

For sure. I don't care to watch Overwatch much but if some older CS pros jump into the mix I'm definitely going to be down to watch competitive play. :y:

Wouldn't mind the old iBP line making a comeback with overwatch but I think it's best to keep it a dream. Also Evil geniuses coming back into CS:GO

I just wish Valve would allow them to come back.

Yeah, steel has been playing Overwatch quite a bit, he's one of my favorite streamer's. Especially back in his raging days.