Tempo Storm
American esports team turned game development studio.
Tempo (formerly Tempo Storm) is an American game development studio, and former esports team and media company. Founded in May 2014 by Andrey 'Reynad' Yanyuk, it began as a Hearthstone-focused esports organization and expanded into multiple game divisions, media production, and game development. The company is registered as AVY Entertainment, Inc. and does business as Tempo.
- field
- Esports, game development, media
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Founding as a Hearthstone esports team; signing banned player blitzchung; expanding into multiple esports titles and media production
- founded
- May 2014
- founder
- Andrey 'Reynad' Yanyuk
Lore & Background
Andrey 'Reynad' Yanyuk began streaming in 2012 and by the end of 2013 had 20,000 concurrent viewers on Hearthstone beta content. Unhappy with payment offers and lack of marketing from esports teams, he founded Tempo Storm in May 2014 with three players. The organization provided guides from pro players and released power rankings on decks, which other esports organizations did not do. By 2016, the team fielded rosters on seven different esports. In 2017, the company expanded into a full media company with a production team, doing live events, online productions, and game development. By December 2018, the team had around forty players.
Reader's Guide
Tempo Storm's significance lies in its early innovation in Hearthstone content and its expansion into a multi-title esports organization and media company. It was one of the first esports teams to produce power rankings and pro player guides, setting a standard for community engagement. The organization also made headlines for its controversial signings, such as picking up banned Hearthstone player blitzchung in 2019 after his suspension for supporting Hong Kong protests, with owner Reynad stating the team was proud of his stance. Tempo Storm's legacy includes its role in the growth of Hearthstone esports, its forays into fighting games, Heroes of the Storm, and other titles, and its eventual pivot toward game development. The company's handling of the MagicAmy controversy in 2015, where it investigated and supported the player against accusations, also highlighted its approach to player welfare. However, its later decision to cut ties with ZeRo following sexual misconduct allegations showed a shift in organizational policy.
Did You Know?
- Tempo Storm was founded in May 2014 by Andrey 'Reynad' Yanyuk, who began streaming in 2012 and had 20,000 concurrent viewers by the end of 2013.
- In 2015, Tempo Storm investigated accusations against player Hyerim 'MagicAmy' Lee and concluded she was who she claimed to be, but she took a leave of absence due to the controversy.
- On October 24, 2019, Tempo Storm signed banned Hearthstone player Wai Chung 'blitzchung' Ng, who had been suspended for supporting Hong Kong protests.
- Tempo Storm sold its Brazilian CS:GO roster to Immortals in July 2016, after the team won the CEVO Gfinity Season 9 Finals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tempo Storm?
Tempo Storm, now operating simply as Tempo, is an American esports organization and game development studio legally registered as AVY Entertainment, Inc. It was launched in May 2014 and has since grown into a multi-division company covering competitive gaming, media production, and original game development.
What game did Tempo Storm originally sponsor players in?
The organization built its initial roster around Hearthstone, recruiting competitive players to compete under its banner. That single-title focus later broadened into several other esports titles as the team expanded.
Who founded Tempo Storm?
Andrey 'Reynad' Yanyuk, a well-known Hearthstone competitor, established the organization in May 2014. He transitioned from being a player himself to founding and leading the team.
What is Tempo Storm most known for in the esports scene?
Beyond its Hearthstone origins, the organization drew significant attention for signing the banned player blitzchung and for eventually diversifying into multiple game divisions, media content, and game development. It evolved from a niche single-game team into a broader entertainment and development company.
Is Tempo Storm still active as a Smash Bros. player sponsor?
The brand has rebranded to Tempo and shifted its primary operations toward game development and media production under AVY Entertainment, Inc. It no longer maintains a dedicated Super Smash Bros. competitive roster in the way it did during its earlier esports-focused years.
More in Super Smash Bros. player sponsors 1-22
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