I'm Retiring

Summary

In this heartfelt farewell, the player announces their retirement after a distinguished 9-year career in Dota 2. Reflecting on their journey, they express gratitude for the support of their family, mentors, teammates, and fans. Having achieved their goal of being recognized as one of the best mid players, the player acknowledges the emotional toll of esports and the changing motivations. They share plans for a new chapter in talent work, including creating a comprehensive guide to Dota and continuing to engage with the community through streaming, but no longer as a competitor.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is retiring after nearly 9 years of competitive gaming, with a focus on Dota 2.
• 😀 They explain that their goal was always to become the best player, especially in the mid-lane role, and they feel they've achieved that goal.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how the constant grind and sacrifices, such as missing family events, began to feel less worth it after achieving their goals.
• 😀 They achieved success in 2023, believing they were the best mid player in the world, and won many tournaments during that year.
• 😀 After accomplishing their career goals, the passion and motivation to keep enduring the hardships of competitive gaming diminished.
• 😀 Despite the achievements, the speaker admits that the emotional and mental toll of competition started to outweigh the rewards, leading to their decision to retire in 2025.
• 😀 They express immense gratitude to various people, including family, mentors, and teammates who supported them throughout their journey.
• 😀 The speaker is particularly thankful to their parents for always supporting them, which they recognize as rare in esports.
• 😀 They acknowledge the importance of early mentors and teammates who shaped their understanding of Dota and helped them grow as a player.
• 😀 Moving forward, the speaker plans to continue working in the esports scene, focusing on talent work, streaming, and creating a comprehensive pro-level Dota guide.
• 😀 Despite retiring from competition, the speaker will remain involved with Dota 2 and aims to contribute by sharing their expertise and knowledge with the community.

Q & A

Why is the speaker retiring from professional Dota 2?

The speaker is retiring because, after achieving his goal of being the best mid-player in the world and winning several tournaments, including the 2023 season, the personal sacrifices and the stress of the career no longer felt worth it. The desire to continue competing has faded, as the goal he set out to achieve has already been accomplished.

What specific personal sacrifices did the speaker make during his career?

The speaker sacrificed time with family and friends, missed birthdays, weddings, and other important events, choosing instead to practice, play, and compete in tournaments. The intensity of the commitment was demanding, with long hours of daily practice.

How does the speaker feel about his achievements in Dota 2?

The speaker feels incredibly grateful for the achievements and the journey, particularly his success in the 2023 season, where he believed he was the best mid player in the world. However, he expresses that the emotional and physical toll of the career overshadowed the joy after accomplishing his main goal.

What does the speaker consider the most significant part of his journey?

The most significant part of the speaker's journey is the support he received from his family, friends, mentors, and teammates. He emphasizes that he could not have achieved what he did without the guidance, trust, and belief of those around him.

Who are some of the people the speaker thanks for their support and influence?

The speaker thanks his parents for their unwavering support, as well as key figures like Stan King, Rick, Kitrak, Blitz, Bulba, SVG, Jack, Ya, Mojo, Lis, Anton, Ace, Tofu, Celery, Cy, Watson, and Maui. These individuals were crucial in shaping his career, both as a player and as a person.

What does the speaker plan to do after retirement?

After retirement, the speaker plans to focus on talent work within the Dota community, likely including casting and analysis. Additionally, he intends to create a comprehensive guide to Dota, providing professional-level insights for players who want to improve their game.

How does the speaker view Dota 2 after his retirement?

The speaker views Dota 2 as the best game ever made, describing it as a meticulously crafted and beautiful piece of art. Despite retiring from competition, he still has a deep passion for the game and wants to remain involved in the community.

What emotions does the speaker experience while reflecting on his career?

The speaker experiences a mix of gratitude, pride, and emotion. He mentions that he will likely get choked up during the video, indicating the deep connection and emotional investment he has in his journey.

What is the speaker’s perspective on success in the competitive Dota 2 scene?

The speaker acknowledges that success in the competitive Dota 2 scene is not just about winning but about the shared experiences with teammates and mentors. Even in times of failure, he finds meaning in the hard work, the relationships, and the journey.

How does the speaker feel about the end of his competitive career?

The speaker expresses that while the end of his competitive career may be bittersweet, he is at peace with it. The decision to retire was not an easy one, but it was the right time after achieving his goals and realizing that the emotional toll had become too much.