One support down for OG as the organization reveals that its front line position three-player Jesse "JerAx" Vainikka will retire from professional Dota 2. JerAx won't be leaving OG's side but will be leaving the professional scene of Dota 2 officially and departing from OG's active roster.
The journey started four years ago, and since then, OG has amassed millions of fans and followers because of the moments in eSport history that it created with its legendary players. But "all the good things must also come to an end," and the unique competitive journey that OG fans all enjoy and love is over.
OG released a public interview about JerAx's departure today with it being saddening and eye-opening about the professional player's retirement. JerAx told the public why he quit Dota 2 and how it all changed throughout the years:
"Dota 2 as a game is this endless puzzle that offers you solutions, yet none of them completely crack it. Ever since I started to play it, it’s been a journey of learning. As I played more and more, the information and knowledge of the game had an overwhelming affect on me, and it became an addiction of some sort to understand every single detail about it. Once succeeding, it gives you a feeling of fulfillment and sensation. Yet you misstep, it frustrates and infuriates you, but still encourages trying again. These are feelings that initially got me deeply connected to the game, but have faded away. This is due to me seeing the game as a competition.
The competitive environment ultimately pushes everyone to be best at all times, yet it’s not possible to keep it up. We have tournaments, one after another testing each team’s capability, and the reality is cruel. After dropping out of tournaments there isn’t much time to reform as a team. Any major changes are a big risk, as the timeline is short. Regardless to if you really wanted to win the tournament or if you considered it as a learning experience, it is draining to consistently have bad results. There are so many losers, and only few end up on top. You are pressured to have success whether it’s you, your teammates or the organisation behind you. It’s a mental warfare, and your competitive spirit is what keeps you going.
Living in this culture has hit me hard. Thinking about the yearly “grind” makes me feel apathetic, exhausted, and almost numb. The fact that I even see it this way, you can already feel something is off. I had to become immune to these feelings during each season, and I learned to just keep moving forward without thinking too much. My passion for the game was there, but I was at times lying to myself that everything was alright. It really wasn’t, I was trying to be something other to who I am..
What’s confusing for me, is that the win itself doesn’t really bring me the joy. It’s the creative work behind it. It’s the ideas we have came up with and shared together and the polished details that eventually made the difference. What truly counts as a win for me, are the things that happen on an everyday basis. When you see improvement in front of your eyes, when your teammate takes into consideration that one thing you asked them to, and how they still accept you after your endless screw ups.
While there is a lot to be invented and created in order to optimize the way the game should be played, it is more often than not wasted time if it is not aimed at improving performance. And for me it’s been getting harder accept. I’ve grown tired from always trying to compete, getting better and aiming for a win. It conflicts with how I think, how I act and who I am.
I have no willingness nor passion to play Dota 2 anymore, and I have trouble fitting myself into my competitor’s shoes. For me the decision to pursue to another direction is clear, and I have no doubts about it."
The End of OG - or the Start of Something New?
OG has defined many years of professional Dota 2. Its team has been and is filled with the most talented set of individuals in the world, but as time flows, things are destined to change. It wasn't too long ago that Anathan "Ana" Pham decided to extend his break until the next Dota Pro Circuit season of 2020-2021, which means the front line active roster of OG has two empty seats this season. Although there is hope lingering for the organization's newer branch team called OG Seed, there is still no assurance that it will take off right away or even make it to the bigger stages.
Despite the dispiriting realization that OG won't be the same this year, fans can all agree that the team has made Dota 2 a better place. The players have carved their names in history and marked a new line of gameplay standard for every professional Dota 2 player in the world. Not only have they made evident what talent and skill should be, but each player's names have also immortalized within it the definition of expertise. And without a doubt, JerAx leaves the professional scene with his chin up.
OG will play the ESL One Los Angeles Major Qualifiers in hopes of qualifying for the third Major of the Dota Pro Circuit season. Although full details about the organization's active roster haven't been released, three of its front line players still stand firm.