Doublelift

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Doublelift's journey began in California, where he transitioned from console games to PC titles like DotA and World of Warcraft before finding his home in League of Legends. His path was fraught with tension; in a 2013 interview with Machinima, he described a strained relationship with his parents who viewed gaming as a waste of time. This conflict culminated in 2011 when, after returning from DreamHack Summer 2011, his parents kicked him out of the house. Homeless and without a college degree, Doublelift used his DreamHack Summer 2011 prize money and computer to focus entirely on his career. He initially wrote educational guides for Team Curse to pay rent before joining UnRestricted (later acquired by Team Curse) as a starting AD Carry. His early days were marked by social awkwardness; he admitted in an interview that upon meeting his first team, he simply said "hi" and remained silent. A pivotal moment occurred when his older brother convinced their parents to let him attend DreamHack Summer 2011 in Sweden before the event, though they initially threatened him if he went.

In Their Own Story

Doublelift's professional rise saw him move through Counter Logic Gaming (CLG), Team SoloMid, and finally Team Liquid. In 2015, after CLG won their first LCS Split playoff title and qualified for Worlds where they finished 12th or 13th, the organization released him on October 31. He joined Team SoloMid in 2016, reaching the spring finals but losing 3–2 to his old team, CLG. After a hiatus in early 2017 due to burnout—during which teammate Bjergsen expressed disappointment at his lack of commitment—Doublelift briefly returned to TSM before being benched mid-spring for Team Liquid to prevent relegation. In 2018, he officially reunited with former CLG teammates Xmithie and Pobelter on Team Liquid. The team finished the Spring Split regular season in 4th place with a 12–8 record, defeating Cloud9 and Echo Fox to reach their first-ever final. Tragically, just one week before that final, Doublelift's mother, Wei Ping Shen, was killed and his father, Guojon Peng, seriously injured by his older brother, Yihong Peng, in San Juan Capistrano.

Reader's Guide

Doublelift is defined by his mechanical precision and aggressive farming style, traits that earned him five All-Pro First Team nods. His career highlights include a 1 Split MVP and an All-Pro Third Team selection. Known for being a fierce competitor, he often engaged in psychological warfare with opponents. In 2013, after CLG's poor performance at the MLG Fall Championship where they lost to NaJin Sword and finished 4th, Doublelift continued to push through setbacks, including a fine of $2,500 in January 2015 for poaching ZionSpartan. He also faced personal challenges, such as being benched during the Summer LCS due to a basketball injury. His time with Team Liquid saw the team improve significantly; after joining mid-spring in 2017, they avoided relegation. By 2018, under his leadership, they secured a playoff bye and fought their way to the finals. Despite the tragedy involving his family, Doublelift's impact on the North American scene remains undeniable, characterized by high-level individual play and a willingness to speak his mind.

Did You Know?

• CLG was fined $2,500 in January 2015 after being found guilty of poaching player ZionSpartan; Doublelift was not personally fined.
• He became homeless in 2011 after his parents kicked him out upon his return from DreamHack Summer 2011 due to his pursuit of an esports career.
• Doublelift's older brother convinced their parents to let him travel to Sweden for DreamHack Summer 2011 before the event, though he was initially told he would die if he went.
• In 2018, just a week before Team Liquid's first-ever final, Doublelift's mother was killed and his father injured by his older brother in their family home.
• During the 2017 spring split, teammate Bjergsen stated he did not want Doublelift to return simply because they were friends, insisting everyone must earn their spot.