{{Short description|American professional esports player}} {{good article}} {{Infobox Pro Gaming player | ID = Zyos | name = Matt Leto | logo = | birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|21|2005|01|06}}<ref name=dallas /> | birth_place = | nationality = American | team = | leagues = World Cyber Games, Major League Gaming | games = {{ubl|''Halo: Combat Evolved''|''Halo 2''|''Project Gotham Racing 3''}} | career_start = 2003 | career_end = 2006 | years1 = 2003 | team1 = Dream Team | years2 = 2004 | team2 = Team FFA | years3 = 2005 | team3 = Str8 Rippin | years4 = 2005 | team4 = Trademark Gamers | years5 = 2006 | team5 = XiT Woundz }}
'''Matt Leto''', known by the gamer tag '''Zyos''',<ref name=gamespot/> is an American former professional player of the first-person shooter video games ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2''. Zyos spent a year in his late teens accumulating video game records, and for a while was the holder of the most records. After dropping out of DigiPen Institute of Technology, Leto pursued a career in professional gaming.
Leto won the 2003 and 2004 World Cyber Games, and was signed to become a professional game player that same year. He remained champion until he was defeated in 2005, and was known for his quiet, patient style of play, and his skill in one-on-one matches. In 2006 he retired from professional gaming. He is currently working as a real estate agent in Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daveperrymiller.com/agents_offices/find_agent/info/mattleto/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210174449/http://www.daveperrymiller.com/agents_offices/find_agent/info/mattleto|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 10, 2017|title=The Leto Group|work=daveperrymiller.com}}</ref>
==Early life and career== Leto played his first video game at the age of five, playing ''Super Mario Bros.''<ref name=interview/> In his early teens he played and won local video game competitions.<ref name=professional/> At the age of 17, he broke the world record for points scored in the video game Crazy Taxi, and when Twin Galaxies, which records video game records, wanted more proof, he recorded a video of beating his own record.<ref name=dallas/> He then spent the next year focused on breaking video game records and eventually broke 742 of them. He had the highest number of records ever achieved until Tom Duncan surpassed him.<ref name=dallas/><ref name=record/> Originally Zyos was interested in going to DigiPen Institute of Technology to learn how to create video games, but found it intense and that it was not his passion.<ref name=interview/> Having dropped out of college, he later left his job at an ice cream shop at age 19 and began pursuing a career in professional gaming.<ref name=cream/> In late 2002 Leto competed at AGP1, his first video game tournament, and though his team placed fifth, he ranked second individually out of three hundred players.<ref name=teamxbox/>
==Professional career==
===2003=== In the fall of 2003, Leto was recruited to play professionally for Major League Gaming (MLG) at the age of 19.<ref name=dallas/> That year, he was part of the four-man team "Dream Team".<ref name=dream/> He won the top prize at the World Cyber Games 2003 held in Seoul, South Korea, winning $20,000.<ref name=nytimes/><ref name=guardian/> It was at that point that Zyos decided he could play video games as his career.<ref name=interview/> That year, Zyos earned $30,000 from professional gaming.<ref name=nytimes/> He also signed an endorsement deal with ActiVision that placed an endorsing quote on an Xbox shooter game titled Greg Hasting's Tournament Paintball.<ref name=nytimes/>
===2004=== In 2004, GameSpot described Leto as the "number one Halo player in the United States".<ref name=gamespot/> Leto came in second at the 2004 Dallas Midwestern Regional Tournament in the "Halo Free For All" category, and first in the N-Gage Competition playing Tony Hawk.<ref name=spy/> As part of Team FFA competing in Major League Gaming tournaments, he helped defeat Shoot to Kill in an upset victory in Chicago, and then also Atlanta.<ref name=domination/> Later in the MLG tournament series he was part of the Florida Jackalopes and were defeated in New York by Team Domination.<ref name=domination/> At the MLG San Francisco tournament, Zyos agreed to split the prize money with his final competitor "Mighty" before the final game, and claimed to do so in order to make his opponent less hungry for victory.<ref name=hungry/>
Leto participated in the World Cyber Games 2004 in San Francisco.<ref name=gamespot/> In preparation for the World Cyber Games, Zyos traveled for the two weeks prior to practice playing against his competitors.<ref name=interview/> At the opening ceremony of the games, Leto was player representative, having been the previous year's champion, and called on players to have good sportsmanship.<ref name=opening/> In the final game, Leto led early 13–5, but his opponent rallied to 13–10 before Zyos was able to also rally and defeat him. <ref name=video/> Zyos thus won the gold medal for the second year in a row, defeating Canadian Nelson Triana 2–0 in the "best out of three" format.<ref name=opening/> He said that his second victory was more important than his first since he is now the third person to win two years in a row.<ref name=video/>
===2005=== At the Game Riot Conference in 2005, amateur players had a chance to play against Zyos to win prizes; Leto viewed the touring gaming exposition as a chance to build his reputation.<ref name=cream/><ref name=industry/><ref name=riot/> In 2005, Zyos was paid for endorsements and had a managing team.<ref name=sun/> He also came in third at the Major League Games Competition as part of the team Str8 Rippin.<ref name=rippin/> That team went on to defeat rivals "Team3D" in Philadelphia.<ref name=philly/> Later that summer, he joined Team "Trademark Gamers", and later the "IGS Monglers".<ref name=trademark/><ref name=nashville/> On September 13, 2005, Zyos was defeated by the Ogre twins in the third game of the World Cyber Games' United States Finals.<ref name=finals/><ref name=wsj/> Leto attributed his loss to his weakness in two-on-two play and stated his desire to continue playing one on one.<ref name=finals/> In October 2005, Zyos competed and won the DigitalLife Tournament Series Halo 2 tournament, defeating "PdgfProxa" in the final match.<ref name=life/>
===2006=== Leto competed professionally in ''Halo 2'' and ''Project Gotham Racing 3'' at the World Series of Video Games in July 2006 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center.<ref name=teamxbox/><ref name=series/> He was also invited to attend the Championship Gaming Series that year.<ref name=qualified/> Following his defeat, he considered playing another first-person shooter or a future ''Halo'' game.<ref name=future/> In September of that year he visited the Cyber World Games and attendees had the opportunity to be taught how to play ''Halo 2''.<ref name=play/> He was a part of team XiT Woundz, thought to be one of the top four Major League Gaming teams in 2006.<ref name=retired/> The team was defeated by teams "eX" and MoBDeep, and ultimately placed seventh.<ref name=retired/> Following the defeats, Zyos exited his hotel where he was staying for the tournament and has not returned to professional gaming.<ref name=retired/> His retirement was called the ninth most important event in professional gaming that year by Major League Gaming.<ref name=retired/>
==Technique== Zyos studied his opponent's style of play in order to find weaknesses.<ref name=gamespot/> He also practiced four to five hours to day, and the week before a tournament for ten.<ref name=teamxbox/> He stated that most of the stress of competing is mental, though physical fitness helps in tournaments that can last 16 hours per day.<ref name=interview/> Talents he has suggested players need include quick reflexes, concentration, and the ability to play under pressure.<ref name=bostonist/> The transition from ''Halo'' to ''Halo 2'' was a mixed bag for Zyos, since he called it an "easier game", but tournaments started being more focused on two-on-two.<ref name=professional/> Once ''Halo 2'' was released, Leto began to focus almost exclusively on it and did not play the original at all.<ref name=rippin/>
While on Team Str8 Rippin in 2005, Leto stated that their style was unique, since any team member might take on any role in their attack formation.<ref name=rippin/> They were also patient, content to wait for their enemies out and force the opposing team to attack when Str8 Rippin is ahead.<ref name=philly/> Zyos insisted upon his teammates being silent and not trash-talking during matches in order to maintain focus.<ref name=philly/>
==Tournament results== * 1st - 2003 World Cyber Games * 1st - 2004 World Cyber Games
==References== {{reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name=bostonist>{{cite web|url=http://mobile.bostonist.com/2005/06/23/matt_zyos_leto_world_halo_champ.php|author=Elisabeth Donnelly|title=Matt "Zyos" Leto, World Halo Champ|date=June 23, 2005|publisher=Gothamist|work=Bostonist|access-date=April 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628195244/http://mobile.bostonist.com/2005/06/23/matt_zyos_leto_world_halo_champ.php|archive-date=June 28, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=cream>{{cite news|page=D1|title=On Road to video-game stardom; on GameRiot Tour, 'Zyos' kills all comers in 'Halo' universe |author= John Jurgensen|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/857954591.html?dids=857954591:857954591&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+23%2C+2005&author=JOHN+JURGENSEN%3B+Courant+Staff+Writer&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=ON+ROAD+TO+VIDEO-GAME+STARDOM+%3B+ON+GAMERIOT+TOUR%2C+%60ZYOS%27+KILLS+ALL+COMERS+IN+%60HALO%27+UNIVERSE&pqatl=google |newspaper=Hartford Courant|publisher=Tribune Company |date= June 23, 2005|access-date=April 16, 2013}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
<ref name=dallas>{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2005-01-06/news/have-gun-will-travel/|author=Paul Kix|title=Have Gun, Will Travel|date=January 6, 2005|publisher=Voice Media Group|work=Dallas Observer|access-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=domination>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/ogre-2-the-greatest-player-of-all-time-2|author=Kyle Magee|title=Ogre 2: The Greatest Player of All Time?|date=November 18, 2010|publisher=Major League Gaming|access-date=May 5, 2013|archive-date=April 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425105030/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/ogre-2-the-greatest-player-of-all-time-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name=dream>{{cite web|url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/5002/Zyos-Wins-Halo-Championship-at-WCG/|author=César Berardini|title="Zyos" Wins Halo Championship at WCG|date=October 19, 2003|publisher=IGN|work=Team Xbox|access-date=April 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331010447/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/5002/Zyos-Wins-Halo-Championship-at-WCG/|archive-date=March 31, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name=finals>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/life/article/Halo-champ-s-reign-is-over-1947206.php|author=Eyder Peralta|title=Halo champ's reign is over|date=September 13, 2005|publisher=Hearst Corporation|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=April 21, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=future>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/video-victors-face-off-in-gaming-olympics|title=Video Victors Face Off in 'Gaming Olympics'|date=September 12, 2005|publisher=News Corp|work=Fox News|access-date=May 1, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=gamespot>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/wcg-player-profile-us-halo-champion-matt-leto-6110102?|author=Jennifer Olsen|title=WCG Player Profile: US Halo Champion Matt Leto|date=October 4, 2004|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=GameSpot|access-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|url=http://m.guardiannews.com/media/2003/oct/23/newmedia.technology|author=Neil McIntosh|title=Game, set and match|date=October 23, 2003|publisher=Guardian News and Media|work=The Guardian|access-date=April 24, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=hungry>{{cite video|url=http://www.aussiehomeinventories.com.au/video/australia/cyclone/video/MoNe8YiqubE/Post-Match-Interview-MLG-San-Francisco-2004-Zyos-vs-Mighty.html|title=Post Match Interview - MLG San Francisco 2004 - Zyos vs. Mighty Videos|author=HitmonTom|date=September 1, 2004|publisher=Aussie Home Inventories|access-date=May 1, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130627212847/http://www.aussiehomeinventories.com.au/video/australia/cyclone/video/MoNe8YiqubE/Post-Match-Interview-MLG-San-Francisco-2004-Zyos-vs-Mighty.html|archive-date=June 27, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=industry>{{cite web|title=Major League Gaming Announces Professional Player Relationship With Nesquik GameRiot Tour |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/major-league-gaming-announces-professional-player-relationship-with-nesquik-gameriot-tour|date=May 13, 2005|work=GamesIndustry International|publisher=Major League Gaming|access-date=May 1, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=interview>{{cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/718/718506p1.html|author=IGN Staff|title=Championship Gaming Invitational Interview: Matt "Zyos" Leto|date=July 31, 2006|archive-date=February 5, 2012|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=April 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205002922/http://games.ign.com/articles/718/718506p1.html}}</ref>
<ref name=life>{{cite web|url=http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/75970-digitallife-2005/2|author=Loyd Case|title=DigitalLife 2005|date=October 16, 2005|work=Extreme Tech|publisher=Ziff Davis Media|access-date=April 23, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=nashville>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/mlg-nashville-igs-monglers-interview|author=Kyle Magee|title=MLG Nashville – IGS Monglers Interview|date=September 8, 2005|publisher=Major League Gaming|access-date=May 1, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=nytimes>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/07/technology/circuits/07play.htmlei=5070&en=5fc3f18e30b63bf2&ex=1167022800&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1166925612-4IbdSO6FaGD+bzzNLsEA1w&_r=0|author=Eric A. Taub|title=Taking Their Game to the Next Level|date=October 7, 2004|work=New York Times|access-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=opening>{{cite web|url=http://m.gamespot.com/features/gamespot-wcg-2004-6109972/|author=Bob Colayco|title=GameSpot @ WCG 2004|date=October 7, 2004|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=GameSpot|access-date=April 23, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629080806/http://m.gamespot.com/features/gamespot-wcg-2004-6109972/|archive-date=June 29, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=philly>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/trying-on-the-crown-the-str8-rippin-interview|author=Kyle Magee|title=Trying on the Crown: The Str8 Rippin Interview|date=August 4, 2005|publisher=Major League Gaming|access-date=May 1, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=play>{{cite web|url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11759/World-Cyber-Games-US-National-Final-This-Weekend/|title=World Cyber Games US National Final This Weekend!|date=September 14, 2006|publisher=IGN|work=Team Xbox|access-date=May 5, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720070532/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11759/World-Cyber-Games-US-National-Final-This-Weekend/|archive-date=July 20, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=professional>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/business/technology/article/Halo-pro-turns-passion-for-gaming-into-full-time-1943723.php|author=Eyder Peralta|title=Halo pro turns passion for gaming into full-time job|date=September 9, 2005|publisher=Hearst Corporation|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=April 21, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=qualified>{{cite web|url=http://esportstv.com/newsite/?p=news&id=603|title=CGS Releases List of Qualified Participants|publisher=Electronic Sports Television|access-date=May 1, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=record>{{cite book |last=Wolfsie |first=Dick |title= Indiana Curiosities|page=152|year=2010|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=he1H22CfdoMC&q=%22matt+leto%22&pg=PT110|publisher= Morris Book Publishing| location= Guilford, Connecticut |isbn= 978-0-7627-5418-2}}</ref>
<ref name=retired>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/digging-up-the-roots-the-top-10-moments-of-2006-2|author=Kyle Magee|title= Digging Up the Roots: The Top 10 Moments of 2006|date=May 14, 2007|publisher=Major League Games|access-date=April 24, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=riot>{{cite book |last=Abanes |first=Richard |title= What Every Parent Needs To Know About Video Games|page=9|year=2006|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kMA_L6y3SNUC&pg=PA9 |publisher= Harvest House Publishers|location= Eugene, Oregon|isbn= 978-0-7369-1740-7}}</ref>
<ref name=rippin>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/mlg-st-louis-str8-rippin-interview|author=Kyle Magee|title=Str8 Rippin Interview|date=July 18, 2005|publisher=Major League Gaming|access-date=May 1, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=series>{{cite web|url=http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/wsvg_pr_0606.html|title=World Series of Video Games Intel Summer Championship|publisher=Halo.Bungie.Org|access-date=May 1, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=spy>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/508/508588p1.html|author=James Fudge|title=MLG Dallas Tournament Results|date=April 22, 2004|publisher=IGN Entertainment Inc.|work=GameSpy|access-date=April 15, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402021216/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/508/508588p1.html|archive-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name=sun>{{cite web|url=http://m.lvsun.com/news/2005/aug/15/playing-for-keeps/|author=Kirk Baird|title=Playing for Keeps|date=August 25, 2005|publisher=The Greenspun Corporation|work=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=April 24, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=teamxbox>{{cite web|url=http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1663/Pro-Gamer-Matthew-Zyos-Leto-Interview/p1/|author=Brent Soboleski|title=Pro Gamer: Matthew "Zyos" Leto Interview|date=July 27, 2006|publisher=IGN|work=Team Xbox|access-date=April 15, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807163039/http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1663/Pro-Gamer-Matthew-Zyos-Leto-Interview/p1/|archive-date=August 7, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name=trademark>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/mlg-vegas-tmg-interview|author=Kyle Magee|title= MLG Vegas TmG Interview|date=August 19, 2005|publisher=Major League Gaming|access-date=May 1, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=video>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/halo-combat-evolved/videos/halo-combat-evolved-video-interview-1-6110173/ |title=Halo: Combat Evolved Video Interview 1 |date=October 9, 2004|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Digital Interactive|access-date=May 5, 2013}}</ref> <ref name=wsj>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB112655995000738479 |title=At the Cyber Games, Even Virtual Excitement Is in Short Supply |date=September 13, 2005|work=Wall Street Journal|publisher=News Corp|access-date=April 24, 2013}}</ref>
}}
{{Professional Halo competition}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leto, Matt}} Category:American esports players Category:Living people Category:Halo (franchise) players Category:American real estate brokers Category:American people of Italian descent Category:Str8 Rippin players Category:1980s births Category:Year of birth missing (living people)