Former professionalSuper Smash Bros.player Gonzalo “ZeRo” Barrios is appealing his ban from Twitch after recently settling his high-profilelawsuit against his former roommate. ZeRo had previously made a name for himself as one of the most prolific players in the game’s competitive scene, taking first-place finishes at several massive events throughout his career. However, following sexual misconduct allegations in 2020, ZeRo had largely disappeared from the community and the pro scene. Now, ZeRo is looking to make a comeback on both YouTube and Twitch.
In a recent video posted to his YouTube channel, ZeRo updated fans on his life throughout the past two years since his unceremonious exit from theSuper Smash Bros.community. ZeRo confirmed the lawsuit he had filed against his former roommate has concluded while also confirming his intent to return to streaming. The video informed fans that ZeRo’s account on Twitch remained banned, calling for fans to rally on social media in order to get his channel unbanned. ZeRo goes on to talk about his personal issues regarding being ostracized by members of theSuper Smash Bros.community.
RELATED:Former Pro Smash Player ZeRo Says Confession Was ‘Suicide Note’
ZeRo’s allegations came amidst a wave of similar claims being levied against many of the popular fighting game franchise’s most well-known players throughout mid-2020. ProfessionalSuper Smash Bros.players like ANTi andNairo saw sexual misconduct allegationslevied against them and many were shunned from the community or sought legal action. Some have also come out to criticize popular players like Team SoloMid’s Leffen for fanning the flames and “spreading misinformation” throughout the ongoing allegations.
A return to Twitch would come as the second attempt from ZeRo to restart his streaming career and recover from the controversy. ZeRo had previously addressed the allegations against him on his YouTube channel and attempted to start regularly uploading videos late last year. However, the channel would once again go on hiatus with his recent video concluding the lawsuit saga coming five months after his last upload. Others like the previously mentionedNairo have also received bans from Twitchwith the pro now solely streaming on YouTube.
ZeRo’s attempted return toSuper Smash Bros.streaming comes as the franchise’s most recent entry,Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, has begun to wind down.Ultimatereceived its last DLC nearly a year ago with the long-requested Sora being added to the game.Super Smash Bros.directorMasahiro Sakurai has also moved onto YouTube, starting a channel talking about game design and his experiences working on theSuper Smash Bros.franchise. While ZeRo has been largely out of the public light, his return to Twitch would be a major step for the formerly iconicSmash Bros. player.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimateis available on Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Super Smash Bros. Could Set the Stage for Next Street Fighter, Tekken
