SMITE community mourns beloved caster John Finch and plans tributes to honor his legacy
The Loss of a Community Pillar
Hi-Rez Studios shared the heartbreaking news that John Finch, one of SMITE’s most beloved casters, passed away unexpectedly on May 20, 2021 at just 28 years old.
The SMITE community mourns the loss of John ‘Finch’ Finch, whose vibrant personality and professional expertise made him an irreplaceable part of the esports scene.
Stewart Chisam, CEO of Hi-Rez Studios, officially confirmed Finch’s passing on May 25 through a heartfelt statement requesting privacy for the family while they grieve this tremendous loss.
Chisam emphasized that while details surrounding Finch’s passing remain private, the studio is committed to working with the community to create meaningful tributes that celebrate Finch’s contributions to SMITE.
Rest in peace with all our love @finchcaster. A deeply sad day for the SMITE community. pic.twitter.com/PztYBEPRlP
— Stewart Chisam (@schisam) May 23, 2021
Finch’s Impact on SMITE Esports
Finch’s journey to becoming a SMITE casting legend began in 2017 when he impressed audiences and judges alike during ‘The Caster,’ Hi-Rez’s competitive search for new talent. His natural charisma and deep game knowledge quickly made him a fan favorite.
The official SMITE esports Twitter account, @SmitePro, shared an emotional video tribute, stating: “From everyone at Hi-Rez, all the casters, the production team, and everyone, all our thoughts are with John Finch’s family and his significant loved ones.”
Our esports family is deeply saddened to share this news with all of you.
John Finch was one of the best among us. He will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/MOaSlJHUHL
— SmitePro (@SmitePro) May 23, 2021
Professional players and organizations across the esports world shared their grief. Retired SMITE pro Emil ‘EmilZy’ Nielsen remembered Finch as “the guy you could count on smiling and laughing,” while esports organization eUnited simply stated: “We’ve lost a great one.”
Planned Tributes and Memorials
As the SMITE community processes this loss, Hi-Rez has temporarily suspended esports activities while planning appropriate ways to honor Finch’s memory. The studio has promised updates on memorial plans in the coming weeks.
Kelly Link, a fellow esports personality, perfectly captured the community’s feelings: “John Finch was an incredibly bright and caring person that would light up any conversation. He will be incredibly missed.”
This is so heartbreaking… John Finch was an incredibly bright and caring person that would light up any conversation. He will be incredibly missed, rest in peace.
— Kelly Link (@HelloKellyLink) May 23, 2021
For fans looking to pay their respects, the SMITE community suggests sharing favorite Finch casting moments on social media using #RememberingFinch, while awaiting official memorial announcements from Hi-Rez.
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