From a Prodigy to an Addict - The SAD Story of oBo CSGO

Summary

The script follows the story of Owen 'OBO' Obos, a once-promising young talent in the CSGO scene, who faced immense mental and emotional struggles. After joining Complexity in 2019, his career was marked by overwhelming pressure, leading him to leave mid-event in 2020. Despite a brief stint with Evil Geniuses, his trajectory declined, and he vanished from the scene. Troubling social media posts in 2022 raised concerns for his well-being, and in an unsettling Twitch stream, OBO revealed struggles with drug withdrawal and mental health issues. His journey is a poignant reminder of the pressures faced by young esports athletes and the importance of mental health.

Takeaways

• 😀 Owen 'OBO' Obos was introduced to the CS:GO community as a young prodigy, dominating the scene at just 14 years old.
• 😀 His rise to prominence caught the attention of major North American organizations, eventually leading to his signing with Complexity in 2019.
• 😀 Despite early success, including a win at Blast Premier Spring 2020, Complexity faced internal struggles, and OBO's situation worsened.
• 😀 OBO's decision to leave Complexity mid-event in 2020 due to the mental toll of being away from home for months surprised his teammates.
• 😀 OBO's sudden departure was described by teammates as a betrayal, as he left without giving prior notice or seeking help for his mental struggles.
• 😀 In 2021, OBO was signed by Evil Geniuses to replace Ethan, but his time with the team was marked by disappointing results, and he was benched within months.
• 😀 OBO disappeared from the esports scene after his time with EG, with many considering him to be a failed prodigy who couldn’t cope with the pressure.
• 😀 In August 2022, troubling images posted on OBO's social media raised concerns about his mental health, sparking discussions on Twitter and Reddit.
• 😀 OBO’s Twitter posts included a disturbing photo of himself appearing malnourished while holding a toy with a cryptic message, leading to speculation about depression or substance abuse.
• 😀 In 2023, OBO streamed on Twitch and revealed he was undergoing Adderall and Vyvanse withdrawal, speaking erratically about his struggles and a supposed witch controlling his life.
• 😀 Despite the bizarre stream, OBO’s behavior raised concerns about his mental state, and his disappearance afterward left many questioning his future in esports.
• 😀 OBO’s story highlights the intense pressures faced by young esports professionals, and his situation demonstrates the importance of mental health support in competitive gaming.

Q & A

Who is Owen 'OBO' Obos, and what role did he play in the North American CSGO scene in 2018?

Owen 'OBO' Obos was a young prodigy in the North American CSGO scene, making a big impact in 2018 at only 14 years old. He was known for dominating matches in the Faceit Pro League, showcasing incredible talent that earned him the attention of top North American organizations.

How did OBO's career progress after joining Complexity in 2019?

After joining Complexity in 2019, OBO played a key role in the team's success, which included winning the Blast Premier Spring 2020 European Finals. However, the team faced challenges, including the strain of moving to Europe for competitions due to COVID-19 restrictions.

What led to OBO's departure from Complexity in 2020?

OBO's departure from Complexity in 2020 was due to the overwhelming strain of being away from home for an extended period, as the team spent six months in Europe. OBO made the abrupt decision to leave mid-event, citing his need to return home despite having no prior indication of his struggles.

What was the team's reaction to OBO's sudden departure?

The team, including players like Christian 'config' and others, was initially confused and shocked by OBO's sudden departure. They had no prior notice of his intention to leave and expressed concern for his well-being, offering to help him return home in a more organized manner.

How did OBO's decision to leave impact his relationship with Complexity's players?

OBO's decision to leave without prior notice caused frustration and confusion among his teammates, leading to a sense of betrayal. Despite understanding his personal struggles, they were upset by the lack of communication and abrupt nature of his departure.

What was OBO's explanation for leaving the Complexity team during an interview?

In an interview with HLTV, OBO explained that he felt the team showed no interest in returning to America, and it became clear to him that the situation in Europe was becoming permanent rather than temporary. This lack of clarity contributed to his decision to leave.

How did OBO's career continue after his departure from Complexity?

After leaving Complexity, OBO was signed by Evil Geniuses (EG) in 2021 to replace Ethan, who moved to Valorant. However, his time at EG was marked by underwhelming results, with the team's best finish being third place at an event, leading to his eventual departure after eight months.

What caused a public concern about OBO's well-being in 2022?

In August 2022, OBO posted troubling images on Twitter that caused public concern. He appeared gaunt and sad while holding a chew toy with an unsettling message, sparking worries about his mental health. His physical appearance and the disturbing imagery raised alarm within the community.

How did OBO address his mental state during his Twitch stream in 2022?

In 2022, OBO streamed on Twitch, during which he confessed to being on Adderall and Vyvanse withdrawal. He mentioned a peculiar belief involving a 'witch' affecting his family and seemed to be in a disoriented state. His brother later intervened, urging him to stop discussing personal matters on stream.

What was the reaction of the community and those close to OBO after his stream and troubling posts?

After his Twitch stream and troubling posts, there was a surge of concern from the community, with fans and former colleagues worried about his mental health. The CEO of Complexity reached out to OBO's family, taking steps to ensure he received support during this difficult time.