JerAx announces retirement from Dota 2
Jesse "JerAx" Vainikka, the member of two-time International champions OG has announced his retirement from the competitive Dota 2 scene this Sunday, stating he has lost interest in playing the game.
The European Dota 2 team OG unveiled this Sunday, JerAx will no longer be playing for the team, following his decision to retire from the Dota 2 competitive scene after seven years.
In the official statement, which surfaced on OG website, JerAx talked about his journey as a Dota 2 pro and his love for the game, which has turned into a sort of an addiction for him, as he was looking for ways to learn every single detail about the game, which would allow him to improve and become one of the best.
"Once succeeding [in learning the game], it gives you a feeling of fulfilment and sensation. Yet you misstep, it frustrates and infuriates you, but still encourages trying again," said JerAx.
"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 27-year-old Finn talked about the competitive environment, which drives everyone involved to become the best they can be, however, that can become very tiresome and demanding for the players as they are always pushed to their limits. Adding to the strain is also the Dota 2 competitive calendar with tournaments played one after the other, giving the players little to no time to rest in between the events.
"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."
Despite being a part of one of the most successful Dota 2 teams in history, JerAx claimed he did not get any joy from winning games, instead, it was the "creative work", the ideas JerAx and his squad members came up with and worked on that kept him going.
The two-time TI champion ended his announcement claiming he has lost his desire and passion to continue competing in Dota 2, but has decided to remain involved with OG, which could suggest he might move to a coaching or a similar position.
"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."
"Fear not OGs, JerAx will leave the active roster but will remain as a member of OG. Once in the fam, always in the fam."
With this announcement, JerAx has ended his career as a Dota 2 pro, which started in 2013, when he joined a Finnish team Rat in the dark as a support player. He later played for QPAD Red Pandas, 4Anchors, Team Tinker, MVP HOT6ix, 5Jungz, Team Liquid and in August 2016 joined OG, where he remained since.
JerAx saw a lot of success throughout his career, including four Major titles, however, it was his back-to-back TI title with OG, which made him one of the most successful and best-paid esports players in the world.
The JerAx's announcement comes shortly after Nathan "ana" Pham unveiled he will be extending his break from Dota 2 competitive scene for the entirety of 2019/20 DPC, meaning that OG are now left with only three active members on their team and two massive voids that needed to be filled before they can return on the stage and contest their third consecutive TI title.
OG DOTA 2 ROSTER FOR 2020 SEASON:
Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen
Sébastien “Ceb” Debs
Johan “N0tail” Sundstein
