FaZe Clan’s era as a creator and influencer powerhouse appears to be over after most of its roster walked away in the space of just a few days over Christmas.
Between December 25 and 28, 2025, nearly all of FaZe’s major content creators announced their departures, bringing an end to a chapter that began in 2010 with Call of Duty trickshot videos on YouTube and grew into one of the most recognisable brands in gaming culture.
The exits started on Christmas Day, when creators including StableRonaldo, JasonTheWeen, Lacy, Silky, and long-time member FaZe Adapt posted short messages on X confirming they had left the organisation. Adapt, who had been with FaZe for around 14 years, described the decision as deeply personal, writing that FaZe had been “over half of my life.”
More departures followed quickly. YourRAGE shared an emotional goodbye on December 27, apologising to fans. Soon after, FaZe Apex — a founding figure and former owner who had been with the brand for roughly 15 years — confirmed his own exit. That announcement triggered further reactions, with creators such as Swagg saying they would step down once Apex did.
On December 28, FaZe Rug, one of the group’s biggest and longest-serving stars, announced he was leaving after around 13 years, calling it the start of a “new chapter.” Others, including ZooMaa, Jev, Scope, and Replays, expressed confusion or heartbreak, while some briefly stayed before more exits followed.
By the end of the week, FaZe’s Los Angeles content house was effectively empty.
The mass departure reportedly stemmed from failed contract negotiations with new backer HardScope, led by CEO Matt Kalish, who invested an estimated $10–11 million for a 49% stake in FaZe. After around six months of talks, creators rejected proposed terms that allegedly included a 20% cut from their earnings, a clause that did not exist in their original agreements. Several members described the terms as unethical.
Kalish later said FaZe’s previous structure was “unsustainable” and offered creators either independence or new HardScope-backed deals. Most chose to leave instead.
The collapse comes after years of turbulent ownership changes. FaZe went public in 2022, was acquired by GameSquare in 2023, and later split its media and esports divisions. Co-founder FaZe Banks stepped down as CEO in mid-2025 following controversy linked to a meme coin project. Banks has denied involvement in the latest decisions, saying he left months earlier, while publicly criticising former members as “ungrateful” and clashing with other creators over control issues.
Streamer Adin Ross has claimed partial ownership and suggested the proposed revenue cut was the breaking point, while rumours continue to circulate that ex-members could form a new group.
FaZe Clan has since released a statement calling the end of its creator era “heartbreaking” and “beyond tragic,” while wishing departing members well. The organisation says its esports division remains unaffected and is now the main focus. FaZe’s Counter-Strike team reached the 2025 Budapest Major final, and creators like Kaysan have stayed on to help grow the competitive side.
Fans and industry figures have responded with emotional tributes, with many declaring “RIP FaZe Clan 2010–2025.” While FaZe’s influencer legacy — from trickshots to more than 500 million combined YouTube subscribers — appears to have closed, the brand says it will continue through esports.
For many fans, though, the Christmas exodus marks the end of an era that defined gaming culture for more than a decade.
