Ardiis Apologizes After Backlash Over Game Changers Stream Comments

NAVI streamer and former Valorant pro Ardis "ardiis" Svarenieks has issued a public apology following criticism of remarks he made during a Valorant Game Changers co-stream. Many viewers described the comments as transphobic.

Clips from the broadcast circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from parts of the Valorant community and prompting calls for both Riot Games and NAVI to respond.

The comments that drew criticism

During the co-stream, ardiis and former Fnatic player Leo "Leo" Jannesson used the term "Bumblebees" to refer to certain players, which viewers took as a reference to transgender competitors.

He also said he did not want to get banned but felt a nickname was needed, then joked about changing genders himself in order to compete in the league.

In a separate clip, he argued that people raised without childhood trauma would not end up being trans, suggesting instead that trans identity stems from difficult family situations and from online communities taking in kids who feel isolated.

Critics said the language was transphobic and pushed Riot Games to keep him off future Game Changers broadcasts.

The apology

Ardiis posted a statement on X afterward, saying his comments about the transgender community were unacceptable and that even by his own standards it went too far. He apologized to anyone he offended and said it would not happen again.

He had defended himself earlier

Before the apology, he pushed back on stream. He claimed that at least five women had messaged him privately to thank him for speaking up, saying they could not do so publicly themselves. He also argued that he was the one drawing attention to the Game Changers scene.