Joseph “Mang0” Marquez, a well-known figure in the Super Smash Bros. community, has made a clear statement about his future. He announced that he does not plan to return to playing Melee at a professional level. This comes after a difficult period for the player, including a ban from tournaments and the loss of his sponsorship.

In June 2025, Mang0 was removed from his team, Cloud9. This happened due to his behavior at a special event hosted by streamer Ludwig. During the “Beerio Kart” event, Mang0 was intoxicated and acted inappropriately toward other streamers. His actions led to significant backlash within the gaming community.

Following the incident, Ludwig faced criticism for allegedly enabling Mang0’s behavior. However, Mang0 himself took full responsibility for his actions. He admitted that his drinking had become a problem and vowed to get sober. As a result, he was banned from participating in Melee tournaments for one year.

Now, several months after the incident, Mang0 has shared his thoughts on returning to the competitive scene. During a recent broadcast on Twitch, he explained that once his ban expires, he likely will not compete again. Instead, he intends to focus entirely on his streaming career.

Financial Reasons and Future Plans

Mang0 was very direct about his reasons for stepping away from professional play. He told his audience that if they ever see him competing in Melee again, it would only be because he is in desperate need of money.

“I have no intentions of ever playing Melee again,” he stated. He explained that he will not pay his own way to enter tournaments just to win small prizes. “I’m not gonna play Melee if I don’t have a sponsor. I’m not paying money out of pocket to go to tournaments to make $80.”

Despite earning less money now compared to his time as a top competitor, Mang0 feels that his life has improved significantly since the ban. He noted that his mental health has gotten much better. While he misses the excitement of traveling, he spent a decade constantly on the road for competitions.

Struggles with Sobriety

Although his mental state has improved, Mang0 admitted that staying sober has been challenging. He mentioned that he is becoming “bored” without alcohol and has no intention of remaining sober for the rest of his life.

“I plan on drinking again one day in my life,” he admitted. He explained that he believes alcohol enhances certain experiences. “I just think some things are better with alcohol. Like a birthday? I don’t want to celebrate a birthday sober for the rest of my life.”

He also mentioned his family Christmas party, saying he would rather be drinking during those gatherings. However, he confirmed that he intends to complete a full year without alcohol before making any changes to his lifestyle.

The End of an Era

Mang0’s decision marks another significant shift in the Super Smash Bros. Melee scene. He is one of the legendary “Five Gods” of the game, a group of players who dominated the competitive landscape for years. His departure from professional play leaves a void in the community.

Currently, the only remaining active member of that original group of five is Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma. The other members, including Armada, PPMD, and Mew2King, have also stepped away from the game or retired from high-level competition.

The reaction to Mang0’s announcement spread quickly across social media. Many fans expressed disappointment at the news, while others discussed the changing landscape of the Melee community. In response to the chatter, Mang0 posted a brief message on X (formerly Twitter).

“Seeing everyone discuss me and my future plans is so funny to me now,” he wrote. He reflected on his transition from a public figure to someone who simply streams from home. “Being someone who was in public eye for his whole life to being some irrelevant dude who streams. This is probably why I wouldn’t come back to melee. Dealing with internet weirdos is WEIRD.”

While Mang0 is stepping away from Melee, his future in gaming remains open. He continues to stream regularly and has built a loyal following. There is also speculation that a new entry in the Super Smash Bros. franchise could eventually draw him back into the competitive fold, though for now, he is content with his current path.