Hi-Rez studio startled the SMITE community when they abruptly delayed all the esports events for the weekend on Friday, May 21. At that time the reason behind the sudden action was not revealed. But on Sunday, May 23, the company announced that John Finch, a member of the Hi-Rez team has died.
Hi-Rez CEO Stewart Chisam tweeted the sad news saying, "Rest in peace with all our love @finchcaster. A deeply sad day for the SMITE community."
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Chisam also posted a picture along with the tweet, that read, "I am devastated to relay the news John Finch, one of the anchor members of our esports casting team, passed away on Thursday. He was 28 years old. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. In 2017, John burst onto the scene at Hi-Rez as a contestant on The Caster, a reality show competition that we held to find new esports talent. John's insightful game analysis, charismatic personality, strong work ethic, and multi-game versatility immediately helped him to stand out on the show. After the show finished, we offered him a position on our esports staff where he instantly became beloved by our gaming community and staff. In honor of John and out of respect for our esports family, note that planned SMITE Pro League a. SMITE Challenger Circuit matches for this week have been postponed We will communicate news at a later time in regards to when and how we will reboot the SPL season This is a huge loss of our esports family. At the moment, we have few other details to share. We ask that everyone give his family and loved one's space and time to grieve. As a company and as a gaming community, we will also find a meaningful way to honor his legacy and contribution"
Smite Pro's official handle tweeted, "Our esports family is deeply saddened to share this news with all of you. John Finch was one of the best among us. He will be sorely missed."
Our esports family is deeply saddened to share this news with all of you.
John Finch was one of the best among us. He will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/MOaSlJHUHL
— SmitePro (@SmitePro) May 23, 2021
As soon as the news came to light, people started paying condolences to the late Twitch streamer, who went by the name @Finchester. One person tweeted, "Finch was so talented, smart, and funny. He had the biggest smile I'd ever seen on a person. Whenever I think of him, it's with that ear-to-ear smile. Heartbroken that he was taken too soon." While one Twitch streamer said, "It's not exaggerated in the slightest stating John Finch was one of the best of us, not as a caster or as an analyst, but as a person. Finch was one of most kind and genuine people out there, we were blessed to have him for the time we did."
Finch was so talented, smart, and funny. He had the biggest smile I'd ever seen on a person. Whenever I think of him, it's with that ear to ear smile.
Heartbroken that he was taken too soon.
— HiRezSt3alth (@MLC__st3alth) May 23, 2021
It's not exaggerated in the slightest stating John Finch was one of the best of us, not as a caster or as an analyst, but as a person.
Finch was one of most kind and genuine people out there, we were blessed to have him for the time we did. https://t.co/lFUOF0nQzR
— Loki (@TheLokiDad) May 23, 2021
Calling the news "heartbreaking", another one said, "Just heartbreaking. Thank you Finch, for sharing your talent and passion with us, and for keeping people smiling in a tough year. Will never forget the way you hyped up my video when it made it onto the official stream! You will be sorely missed, but never forgotten." Shocked by the news, another one said, "I just heard the news now, I'm in pieces... I'm not processing it either. I'm sad and confused, I miss you John. I really do."
Another shared, "Finch was so talented, smart, and funny. He had the biggest smile I'd ever seen on a person. Whenever I think of him, it's with that ear to ear smile. Heartbroken that he was taken too soon."
Just heartbreaking.
Thank you Finch, for sharing your talent and passion with us, and for keeping people smiling in a tough year.
Will never forget the way you hyped up my video when it made it onto the official stream!
You will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. <3 <3 <3
I just heard the news now,
I'm in pieces... I'm not processing it either.
I'm sad and confused,
I miss you John.
I really do.
Finch was so talented, smart, and funny. He had the biggest smile I'd ever seen on a person. Whenever I think of him, it's with that ear to ear smile.
Heartbroken that he was taken too soon.
— HiRezSt3alth (@MLC__st3alth) May 23, 2021
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