Backstage With DarkZero: Xynew Talks ALGS Year 3 Split 2 Playoffs Victory

Finals day at the ALGS Year 3 Split 2 Playoffs. Legions of fans from all over the world gathered at the Copper Box Arena in London, UK to cheer on the teams competing at the highest level of Apex Legends. In what was arguably one of the toughest lobbies, seven matches saw the best of the best compete in a Match Point format in a race to reach a minimum of 50 points. Two teams took on an early lead, with both DarkZero and TSM reaching Match Point Eligibility in the first three matches. Just one more win from either team would cement them as champions, but it wasn't going to be easy.

For DarkZero, a team consisting of Captain Rhys "Zer0" Perry, Noyan "Genburten" Ozkose, and Rody "Xynew" Geissler, the fight was a familiar one. The team took home the crown during last year's ALGS Championships, and they were more than ready to do it again.

By Match 7, three more teams had entered Match Point Eligibility: FaZe, Oxygen Esports, and XSET. Five teams were now fighting it out for that final win, but the reigning champs were determined to take it by force. With it all coming down to a final standoff between DarkZero and OpTic Gaming, a tense, last-second play saw DarkZero emerge victorious once again. The team ended their Split 2 Playoffs run with an impressive 91 point total.

We sat down with Xynew, DarkZero's newest joiner, who amassed 17 kills alone — tied with ZerO for kill leader in his first LAN. 

Interview: DarkZero's Xynew Following ALGS Split 2 Playoffs Victory

So, tell me how you’re feeling right now. 

Xynew: It's insane. I just called my mom, I’ve got to call her again. I was crying my eyes out. I couldn’t believe it. Imagine the feeling of the whole arena, everyone cheering. Yeah, it's cool. 

When you woke up this morning, did you think you’d be walking away with the trophy?

Xynew: I definitely did. I woke up and was like “I can already imagine it”. I was so confident. Our teammates had already won two LANs. I was like, “We can do it. We can do it.”

And this was a tough lobby as well. We had five teams at match point in Match 7. You guys, obviously. TSM, Oxygen Esports, XSET and FaZe out of nowhere. These final moments were incredibly tense, and it kinda came down to the wire with you and OpTic. So, what was going through your mind right there?

Xynew: I read down one of the guys and I was like “We won! We won!” and I was like, “Wait there’s another guy alive?!” So I had to turn around, and me and Zer0 killed him and then I was like, oh my god. I thought we had won, I almost dropped my controller.

So now that you've got this win secured, looking back on the last batch of matches. Was there anything you think you would have done differently? 

Xynew: Honestly, our games were amazing. I think it was like one of the best set of games anyone has ever done. Except for two, like bad games where we kind of dropped out of the groove and then we won that last one.

For a while it was you and TSM leading the way, the first two teams to reach match point. 

Xynew: Yeah, we won and people were chanting TSM. Like, come on.

And I think the grand total kills for DarkZero was 47, right? Something like that? 

Xynew: Yeah, something insane. Like, I think we had 39 in four games.

We saw some exciting plays from TSM, XSET and Oxygen that kind of put you in a bit of jeopardy at times. Did that surprise you?

Xynew: Not really, no. With how well we did, we were fine with second if someone else did end up winning. 

Next up is the Championships. Will you get some time to rest ahead of September?

Xynew: Oh yeah, I'll be going home tomorrow. It's gonna be a whole day traveling. I haven’t seen my mom in like almost a month, because I was in the DarkZero house for a little bit before the tournament.

And then straight into preparations after that, I imagine. 

Xynew: Yeah, I think it's a month break before Champs scrims.

Next up for the ALGS is the Championships, which will be taking place September 6 - 10, 2023. The event will be held at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, UK. Tickets for the event will go on sale Friday, July 21.