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StarCraft 2 legend Geoff 'iNcontroL' Robinson passes away at 33 years old

The esports and gaming world as a whole were rocked on Sunday to learn of the sudden passing of StarCraft 2 legend Geoff 'iNcontroL' Robinson.

Ozzie Mejia

July 21, 2019 7:13 PM

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The esports world was stunned and saddened on Sunday evening to learn of the sudden passing of Geoffrey "iNconroL" Robinson. Few details have been issued regarding his death, but Robinson's Twitter account issued a statement on Sunday regarding his untimely passing.

With immense grief, we announce Geoff’s unexpected passing due to sudden illness Saturday. We ask privacy as his family works to understand what happened and make arrangements. To honor Geoff or offer comfort to his family, we suggest donations to @SoCalBulldog, which he loved.

— Geoff Robinson (@iNcontroLTV) July 22, 2019

Geoff is deeply loved across many communities and we’re all working to make sure his affairs are in order as he’d want. BARRISTAN is safe in the care of friends, and family will share words of remembrance when they are ready. Let’s live today in his example of love and laughter

— Geoff Robinson (@iNcontroLTV) July 22, 2019

Robinson started off as a StarCraft: Brood War player, but soon dove into StarCraft II from 2010-2011. However, he is much more widely known as a caster, having grown to become one of the faces of StarCraft esports. In addition to acting as an early host for the beloved State of the Game podcast, Robinson frequently worked as an English commentator for many of Blizzard's StarCraft II tournaments. He most recently worked the 2019 WCS Summer Qualifiers for North America and Europe.

Robinson had been a cog of the Evil Geniuses StarCraft II team all the way through 2017, when the organization disbanded the SC2 squad. Even with EG stepping away from SC2, Robinson remained behind and worked with the community independently. He also helped put together The Pylon Show, a weekly StarCraft 2 podcast, with fellow co-hosts Daniel Ray "Artosis" Stemkoski and Matt "CobraVe7nom7" Land.

Many top esports luminaries have weighed in on Robinson's shocking death on social media.

When I first joined EG me and Geoff were both stubborn and young. After we both left EG we grew closer and supported each other mutually, talked, and confided in one another. You will be missed brother.https://t.co/PQCA5LDpK4

— Chris ‘HuK’ Loranger (@LorangerChris) July 22, 2019

I've known Geoff for almost 20 years. We played Brood War in high school & college and did years of SC2/BW events together. Geoff was a one-of-a-kind person. I'll miss you man. I'm so sad. https://t.co/Rcv6qb1sEs

— Sean Plott (@day9tv) July 22, 2019

Nothing I could post would properly express my grief and shock. For now I just want to say: Geoff was & always will be a beacon of love, laughter and leadership. He exemplified what it was to be a good man. A world without him is wanting, but profoundly blessed to have had him. https://t.co/pVVQTGrPkE

— Anna Prosser (@AnnaProsser) July 22, 2019

Geoff was an absolute pillar of StarCraft and dearly loved by many. His passion was inspiring to witness. I'm struggling to wrap my head around this.

Thank you for everything you have given us. My sincere condolences to all your loved ones. https://t.co/NUv40gn3oc

— Victor Goossens (@LiquidNazgul) July 22, 2019

I’m in utter shambles right now.....Geoff was one of my BIGGEST role models when I first started in StarCraft/NASL. I was shocked when he reached out to be my friend. As I went my own way after SC, Geoff encouraged and cheered me on.

I am so incredibly upset.

What an awful day. https://t.co/MAmSHp75ei

— Frodan (@Frodan) July 22, 2019

Unbelievable. Geoff was a bit of a hero of mine with his limitless entertainment when I was coming up in esports.

I saw him in person last year at BlizzCon, and as I was starstruck, I regretfully didn't introduce myself.

Rest in peace, Geoff. A true Starcraft legend. https://t.co/rclukaeglf

— Jonathan Larsson (@Reinforce) July 22, 2019

I worked many events with Geoff back when I became a host. He was one of the people who guided me in the SC2 world. I was always grateful for that. He helped put me over to a sceptical community and told them I was one of the good guys. Who knows how my story goes without that?

— Richard Lewis (@RLewisReports) July 22, 2019

We weren’t close, but Geoff was one of the funniest people to ever grace an esports broadcast. He was always friendly whenever our paths crossed and I enjoyed our occasional Warhammer chats. Rest in peace, friend. Gaming has lost one of its all-time greats. https://t.co/PDwggFCxLw

— erik lonnquist (@ggDoA) July 22, 2019

First time I met Geoff was working PAX covering some new RTS. I remember thinking how cool it was that I was working alongside such a talented guy that I looked up to. Both him and Rotterdam were super gracious and invited me to lunch with them and made me feel welcomed. https://t.co/8zwvpkeJs9

— Cap (@DotACapitalist) July 22, 2019

Geoff "iNcontroL" Robinson was 33 years old. As requested, we will also link to So Cal Bulldog Rescue in rememberence of Robinson and suggest donations to this rescue shelter that he loved.

Ozzie Mejia

Senior Editor

Ozzie has been playing video games since picking up his first NES controller at age 5. He has been into games ever since, only briefly stepping away during his college years. But he was pulled back in after spending years in QA circles for both THQ and Activision, mostly spending time helping to push forward the Guitar Hero series at its peak. Ozzie has become a big fan of platformers, puzzle games, shooters, and RPGs, just to name a few genres, but he’s also a huge sucker for anything with a good, compelling narrative behind it. Because what are video games if you can't enjoy a good story with a fresh Cherry Coke?