Offset Fortnite Should End FaZe Jarvis Ban ... It's Just Wrong!!!

LIGHTER SENTENCE
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Offset is calling for Fortnite to lift the ban on his teammate FaZe Jarvis -- telling TMZ Sports a lifetime punishment sends the WRONG message to the kids.

As we previously reported, 16-year-old Jarvis -- one of the top Fortnite players in the world -- was banned for life from all Fortnite events after admitting to using illegal software to get an advantage during non-tournament play.

Jarvis claims he was just using the software to goof around while streaming -- and would never do anything to break the rules during competitive play.

Epic Games -- the company behind Fortnite -- has refused to budge ... but now Offset, who recently joined the FaZe Clan is speaking out in hopes of getting Jarvis back in the game.

"Fortnite says the game is for the youth. The youth makes mistakes a lot of times. Let the kids play, that what they love to do," the Migos rapper told us.

"Give him a ban. Like, ban him for 30 days. Give him probation terms or something like that and then if he keeps doing the same violations then you do that [suspend him for life]."

"But, a couple times messing up?! They kids ... know what I mean?"

By the way, Offset's not just involved in the gaming side of FaZe Clan -- he just dropped a new fashion collab and debuted the merch Monday night at the FaZe Arcade on Melrose.

FAZE UP!
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You gotta check out the crowd ... people were lined up around the corner for the 2 new hoodies and a new t-shirt. The fan base is STRONG with these guys!!!

Rick Fox 'League of Legends' Will Overtake NFL ... It's Coming

IT'S WORLDWIDE
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99.6 MILLION people watched the 2018 "League of Legends" championships ... just a few million shy of the 2018 Super Bowl numbers.

And, Rick Fox says it's only a matter of time before "LoL" eclipses the NFL.

Fox is an Esports pioneer who famously founded Team Echo Fox -- which competes in everything from "Fortnite" to "CS:GO" and even "Mortal Kombat."

Fox says he's been watching the sport explode ... so he wasn't shocked when fellow gaming titan FaZe Banks told TMZ Sports recently there will be an Esports event that will pull in a bigger audience than the Super Bowl.

faze banks says esports is exploding
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"As much as we love football in North America, it's not international to the level of gaming," Fox says.

"'League of Legends' is a huge global event. It's already got numbers right below the Super Bowl so it's coming ... it grows every year."

"Everything is so online now, technology has unlocked the ability for those people in foreign countries, or regardless of where you are in the world, to connect."

Fox also says the sport is finally growing massive stars with global appeal -- like Faker, who Fox considers the Michael Jordan of gaming.

FYI, Faker is a 23-year-old "LoL" legend from South Korea who's already racked up more than $1.2 MILLION in prize money.

In fact, Fox says he recently had a chance to play with Faker to raise money for the Bahamas Relief Foundation ... so shout out to Faker for that!

Ninja Cuts Avocado Like a Serial Killer ... Nearly Ruins Sandwich

How does someone with such talented thumbs BUTCHER a sandwich so badly?!?

That's the question we've got for Ninja whose attempt to make a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich was as pathetic as a 40-year-old trying to play "Fortnite" for the first time.

Ninja -- real name Tyler Blevins -- teamed up with Bon Appetit food director Carla Lalli Music for a YouTube segment about cooking without visual aids.

He tried hard ... but Tyler couldn't figure out how to properly slice the bread and then cut the avocado STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE THROUGH THE PIT LIKE A PSYCHOPATH!!!

The craziest part, Ninja actually has real restaurant experience ... he worked at Noodles & Company where he prepped noodles for 3 years!

In the end, Ninja managed to put together an edible sandwich ... and despite the avo mishap, it actually looked sorta delicious.

The good news for Ninja ... he's made so much damn money playing video games, he can hire a private chef to cook up his breakfasts from now until the end of time.

FaZe Banks Jarvis' Fortnite Ban Is Permanent ... But He's In Good Spirits!!!

FAZE FOREVER
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FaZe Banks tells TMZ Sports that Jarvis' Fortnite ban is real -- saying there's NO CHANCE the kid plays the game again ... but he says the 17-year-old is still in good spirits regardless!!

"Jarvis is doing really good, man," Banks says. "He's holding in there."

As we previously reported, Jarvis was hit with a perma-suspension after he was caught using Aimbots during a recreational game that he streamed on his ultra-popular YouTube channel.

Essentially, Jarvis was cheating by illegally hacking the game so his guns could auto-focus on his opponents.

Turns out, Fortnite officials were SUPER pissed over the incident ... and gave him the boot from the game FOR LIFE!!!

Banks -- the founder of the clan Jarvis is a part of -- had previously told us there was at least some hope Jarvis could eventually be "freed" from the punishment.

WE WORKED IT OUT
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But, Banks changed his tune when we got him out in L.A. last week ... saying, "The chances of him playing Fortnite are zero."

Good news, though ... Banks says the door is open for Jarvis to at least make SOME kind of Fortnite content in the future -- despite not being able to play it anymore.

Small consolation prize ... but hey -- beats working a 9-5, right???

FaZe Banks Video Games Will Get Bigger Than Super Bowl 'Gonna Get Crazy'

THE TIME IS NOW
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The Super Bowl is the most-watched TV event of the year ... but could Esports actually dethrone the NFL?!?

HELL YEAH -- so says one of the biggest names in the industry, FaZe Banks, who tells TMZ Sports it's just a matter of time before video games wreck all of entertainment!!!

"It's gonna get crazy," the FaZe Clan cofounder tells us. "I think its gonna get more crazy online than it is in the actual real world. But, it's gonna take everything over. It's gonna get big."

Banks points out the industry is already well on its way ... with the 2019 Fortnite World Cup Finals reportedly drawing in 2 million viewers.

Of course, it's gonna be a while before Esports can dethrone the Super Bowl -- which averages nearly 100 MILLION each year -- but Banks is up for the challenge.

"Super Bowl? Bigger. It's gonna be bigger."

Demetrious Johnson Mercy for Jarvis Lifetime Fortnite Ban Is Too Harsh!!!

CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER
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Another huge gamer is AGAINST the lifetime Fortnite ban on FaZe Jarvis -- this time it's MMA star Demetrious Johnson who says the punishment simply doesn't fit the crime.

As we previously reported, Epic Games permanently 86'd the 17-year-old gamer from all Fortnite-related activities after he admitted to using illegal software to gain an advantage.

Jarvis said he used the Aimbots -- which makes it easier to kill opponents -- for entertainment purposes while goofing around on YouTube and NOT in actual competition.

Enter DJ ... who's not only one of the best MMA fighters EVER, but he's also huge in the gaming world -- and he told us why the lifetime ban feels way too harsh.

The good news for Jarvis, Demetrious -- who's big into PUBG -- says the gamer is more than welcome to switch over and compete in his world as long as he doesn't cheat again!!

Jarvis might wanna take DJ up on the offer since there's a massive $3 MILLION prize up for grabs at the PUBG Global Championship later this month.

FaZe Banks I Took Care of the Vegas Room Thing ... 'It's All Love'

WE WORKED IT OUT
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FaZe Banks is a guy who knows how to clean up after his own mess, even if it takes a bit of time -- at least that's what we gathered when we asked him about his Vegas debacle.

We talked to the gaming guru -- who founded the FaZe Esports collective -- at the Logan Paul/KSI fight this weekend and he cleared the air with us on what exactly happened last month at the Encore at Wynn Hotel in Sin City, where his room was torn to shreds.

Banks comes clean with us here, saying he f***ed  the room -- which caused over $30k in damage, BTW -- and even apologizes for it too. A weekend in Vegas, as he puts it.

CALL THE BANK
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You'll recall ... the hotel was pissed about the mess, and got cops involved ... who were investigating for felony malicious destruction of property -- a charge the carries a max sentence of 5 years in prison. Luckily, it didn't get there for FB -- he handled it.

The dude says he and the hotel are all good now, and that it's all love -- the implication being that he paid for the damage and is back in their good graces. Quite a guy, huh?!

We get around to talking about his fellow member FaZe Jarvis' lifetime ban from 'Fortnite' after being caught cheating ... and he gives us his thoughts on that too.

#FreeJarvis seems to be his takeaway.

TMZ Challenge Win a Trip to Hollywood ... Appear on 'TMZ On TV'!!!

WHAT A DAWG

We have great confidence in TMZ users and viewers because we think there's someone out there who could give our photogs a run for their money.

So, here's the contest ... shoot a video on your cell phone where you have a TMZ-style convo with a friend, a child, a pet, a rando, etc. WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR YOU TO SHOOT A CELEBRITY. Just find someone you know and have a fun, interesting, engaging conversation. You can talk about anything you want ... something funny, serious, snarky or anything in between.

BIG SHRIMPIN'

Something under 2 minutes would be ideal, but there's no magic time -- it's more about quality. Translation: size doesn't matter.

Submit your entry to Twitter, Instagram or TikTok with the hashtags #TMZchallenge and #contest -- check out the full rules here. We'll watch all the videos back in our offices and pick a winner, who will get 2 plane tickets to Hollywood. They'll also be on "TMZ on TV" and take the TMZ Celebrity Tour.

'Fortnite' Jarvis' Lifetime Ban Is Way Too Harsh!!! ... Says KSI

TOO HARSH ON THE KID
TMZSports.com

One of the biggest stars in gaming is calling for the company behind "Fortnite" to reconsider its LIFETIME ban on FaZe Jarvis ... telling TMZ Sports it's just unfair.

As we previously reported, 17-year-old Jarvis -- one of the top players in the world -- admitted to using aimbots (illegal software) to cheat at the game.

Epic Games immediately issued a lifetime ban against Jarvis -- and told TMZ Sports they have a "no tolerance" policy when it comes to cheaters.

So, when we saw KSI leaving the Belasco Theater in L.A. on Monday night, we asked if he thought Jarvis was getting a raw deal.

"He shouldn't have cheated, but yeah it's pretty harsh," KSI said ... "Hopefully it's not a lifetime ban."

"I'd love to see him come back."

KSI isn't the only gamer who feels that way -- there's been a backlash over the punishment from people who think a 1-strike rule for aimbots is just too severe ... especially since Jarvis isn't even a legal adult yet.

As for Jarvis, he made a video fessing up to cheating -- and begged for Epic Games to reconsider ... but the gaming company isn't budging.

Meantime, KSI is gearing up for his big boxing match with Logan Paul on Saturday -- and briefly explained to TMZ Sports why there's NO respect for his opponent.

'Fortnite' Superstar Jarvis Lifetime Ban for Cheating ... Epic Games Doubles Down

UPDATE

10:11 AM PT -- We just heard back from Epic Games, the company behind "Fortnite," and it's clear Jarvis will NOT be cut any slack when it comes to his punishment.

UPDATE

"We have a zero tolerance policy for the usage of cheat software," an Epic Games spokesperson tells TMZ Sports.

UPDATE

"When people use aimbots or other cheat technologies to gain an unfair advantage, they ruin games for people who are playing fairly."

A 17-year-old "Fortnite" superstar gamer has been BANNED for life for cheating -- but the gaming community is PISSED OFF at the punishment and demanding mercy.

The gamer at the center of the controversy is FaZe Jarvis -- younger brother of gaming star FaZe Kay -- who's built up a MASSIVE following, including 2 million subscribers on YouTube.

But, the British teenager got himself in hot water using Aimbots during a recreational game that he streamed on his YouTube channel.

FYI, Aimbots is an illegal hack that essentially auto-focuses your weapons on opponents, making it MUCH easier to hit your target and get kills. It's the gaming version of steroids.

Jarvis admitted to using the bots in an emotional video -- in which he chokes back tears to reveal the punishment he received from Epic Games, the company behind "Fortnite."

"I've been permanently banned from 'Fortnite' for life," Jarvis said ... "This was a huge mistake was completely wrong on my end."

Jarvis says he didn't know the consequences for his actions would be met with such a severe punishment -- since he didn't cheat during competitive play -- and had he known, he wouldn't have done it.

Jarvis says he's completely emotionally crushed -- since he's not only banned from playing, but he's blocked from attending "Fortnite" events or creating any type of content around the game.

Well, his fans -- and even competitors -- are pissed, claiming the punishment does NOT fit the crime.

Many people are voicing their anger on social media and demanding Epic Games scale back the punishment.

One point people are upset about ... a duo that had been caught cheating earlier this year was only suspended for 14 days (and allowed to compete in the $30 million World Cup tourney). They were NOT banned for life.

So, what will happen with Jarvis? We're reaching out to Epic Games for comment. Stay tuned.

By the way, Jarvis has options ... he's also a stud in other games including "Call of Duty" and "CS:GO."

Originally published -- 7:55 AM PT

FaZe Banks Trashed Vegas Hotel Room Video ... Utter Destruction

CALL THE BANK
TMZSports.com

Wanna see what $30,000 worth of damage in a fancy Vegas hotel looks like? Feast your eyes on this disaster!!!

Here's the room Esports megastar FaZe Banks allegedly destroyed during a wild Oct. 13 bender at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas -- and it looks like a scene out of "The Hangover."

Smashed tables. Smashed windows. Smashed TVs. Smashed everything. You get the point.

In footage obtained by TMZ Sports, you can see people still in the room the next morning ... still in awe of the damage. Banks is laying casually in a mostly intact couch.

The problem for Banks -- real name Richard Bengtson -- is that hotel officials weren't amused when they saw the wreckage and went to police.

Cops are now investigating Banks for felony malicious destruction of property, a serious charge that carries a maximum of 5 years in prison.

The good news for Banks ... the 28-year-old mogul is rich as hell (he co-founded the wildly popular FaZe Clan gaming organization) and can easily afford to cover the damage.

Our Vegas law enforcement sources tell us stuff likes this happens in Vegas hotels all the time and the hotel usually drops the case if the damages are paid.

A rep for Banks tells us they're working with the hotel to resolve the situation ... which essentially means break out that checkbook!!!

Esports Star FaZe Banks Allegedly Wrecks Vegas Hotel Room ... Cops Investigating

FaZe Banks -- one of the biggest names in Esports -- is under investigation for allegedly destroying his hotel room and causing more than $30k in damage, TMZ Sports has learned.

FYI, 27-year-old Banks is the co-founder of the wildly successful FaZe Clan -- perennial contenders in games like "Call of Duty," "Fortnite," "Overwatch" and more. FaZe Clan is so huge, stars like Offset, Lil Yachty and Post Malone have joined the squad.

But, during a Vegas bender on October 14, we're told cops were called to FB's room at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas on a destruction of property call.

We're told the room was an absolute DISASTER zone -- with smashed furniture, holes in the walls, a smashed window, broken lamp stand, pictures ripped off the wall, stains on the carpet and more.

Our sources say even the plants in the room were wrecked -- with soil all over the ground.

Oh, and it appeared the main flat-screen TV got it too -- it looked like it had been smashed multiple times with heavy objects.

In other words, WHAT A PARTY, RIGHT!?!?!?

The bad news for Banks -- real name Richard Bengtson -- we're told the estimated damage is over $30,000 which means he can be charged with felony malicious destruction of property. The charge carries a maximum 5 years in prison, but there's no way Banks gets anywhere close to that even if he's convicted.

The good news for Banks -- he's RICH AS HELL and can easily afford to cover the damages if he wants to.

One law enforcement source tells us ... stuff likes this happens in Vegas hotels all the time and the hotel usually drops the case if the damages are paid.

In fact, we just got this statement from Banks' rep -- "FaZe Clan and Encore are working together to resolve this matter."

Translation ... CUT THE CHECK!!!

So far, we're told no charges have been filed -- but the investigation is currently active.

What's interesting about this ... FaZe Clan has a reputation for being the bad boys of Esports ... so, the allegations fit the brand.

Alex Trebek No Plans to Step Down as 'Jeopardy' Host

Alex Trebek is clearly having some difficulties taking the reigns of "Jeopardy!" as he undergoes a second round of chemo for pancreatic cancer, but it is full steam ahead and there are no signs Alex is throwing in the towel.

Trebek's recent interview with Canadian TV fueled speculation his days as the host of the iconic game show may be numbered. He said chemo has caused mouth sores to erupt, making it difficult to speak. Alex has said repeatedly, if his ability to host the show diminishes, he will step down, but we're told that's NOT on the horizon.

"Jeopardy!" production sources tell us the show is taped 2.5 months in advance, and as of now, they have shows well into December. So, if Alex is under the weather and misses a few tapings, it won't send the show into freefall.

Ninja Unmasked On 'The Masked Singer' Had His Horses In The Back

A Ninja lost his mask on last night's episode of "The Masked Singer" ... and it was all after an Ice Cream-headed rendition of the biggest song of all-time.

Of course, the Ninja we're talking about is the ultra-famous professional gamer ... and he tried his hand last night at being the new Lil Nas X, performing "Old Town Road," and we're not professional judges, but the whole thing looked pretty awesome to us.

Good news for Ninja is that judges Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke and Ken Jeong were rocking out to the over-the-top elaborate performance, and freaked out when he was unmasked (they're fans).

Louis Vuitton Reveals New Epic Custom Trunk!!! For 'League of Legends' World Title Trophy

How's this for a fashion crossover?!?!

Louis Vuitton just dropped the first images of the custom travel trunk they designed for the most coveted trophy in Esports ... the "League of Legends" Summoners Cup!!!

The trophy is awarded to winner of the world championships in Paris in November along with a $1 MILLION cash prize!

Now, LV is getting into the gaming world ... partnering up with Riot Games (the company behind LoL) to create the official case of the Cup.

Here's how LV is describing the case ...

"The bespoke trunk, the first of its kind for an esports championship, will feature both traditional Louis Vuitton savoir-faire along with cutting-edge, high-tech elements inspired by the League of Legends universe."

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

"In addition to the Trophy Case, Louis Vuitton has designed unique champion skins and a capsule collection designed by Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director of Women’s collections, along with other League of Legend digital assets."

No word on how much the case is worth on the open market -- but a special Louis Vuitton x Supreme trunk recently sold for $70,000!!! So, yeah ... this is a valuable item for sure!

The 2018 "LoL" world title went to Invictus Gaming, a team from China. The runner-up was Fnatic, a team based out of the UK.

Good luck!!

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