Official: Party Astronauts part with PwnAlone after 4 years

Party Astronauts have today announced the departure of Josh "PwnAlone" Pigue from their ranks, marking the end of a partnership between the 32-year-old AWPer and the PA core that lasted for four years. The move will undoubtedly come as a shock to many, as PwnAlone has been a key member of the team for so many years while maintaining a high level of performance in a high-demand role as the team's AWPer.

PwnAlone's tenure with PA began in early 2020 when he joined New England Whalers with a disparate core that would slowly morph into the more familiar PA core we know today. After a number of months in free agency, this squad would later go on to sign with High Coast for three months before the Swedish organization ceased operations, leading to the reformation of Party Astronauts once again.

This third iteration would finally have a big break in 2022 when the team were signed by Evil Geniuses, becoming EG White. Unfortunately, while this move gave PA and PwnAlone more financial support than ever before in their careers, outside of a win at Fragadelphia 17, the team would largely have to play second fiddle and give up opportunities to EG Black before being dropped in April 2023.

This would lead to Party Astronauts forming for the fourth time, with the team continuing to find success in NA, finishing ESL Challenger League Season 46 in third place while also recently earning a Closed Qualifier spot in the PGL Major Copenhagen Americas RMR. As such, this sudden move raises many questions as PA appeared to be on an upward trajectory with the recent additions of Danny ""cxzi" Strzelczyk and Wesley "viz" Harris.

Dust2.us attempted to reach out to Party Astronauts for comment for this massive shakeup, with Connor "chop" Sullivan only offering a notice that "more info will come out soon." As for PwnAlone, Dust2.us were unable to get in contact with the player, with his X post only discussing his future plans and thanking the team for their support over the past four years.

With PwnAlone out of the team, Party Astronauts are now:

• Ben "ben1337" Smith

• Connor "chop" Sullivan

• Danny "cxzi" Strzelczyk

• Wesley "viz" Harris

• Luke "Viathan" Carstens (Coach)