Changes in Dota 2: Players and Organisations Facing Transitions and Departures

Recent events in the professional Dota 2 scene have shaken the community. Players and organisations are facing significant changes, from the departure of well-known players and teams to shifts in rosters and management.

NothingToSay Announces Retirement from Professional Scene

Malaysian player NothingToSay, whose real name is Jin Xiang, has announced his retirement from the professional Dota 2 scene. In a message on Weibo, he stated that he had "retired", though it remains unclear whether this was a joke. His most recent team was Invictus Gaming, with which he parted ways in October 2024, and previously he represented LGD Gaming. Following the disbandment of the IG roster, Jin Xiang had refrained from matchmaking, leading to his decision to leave the scene.

Invictus Gaming, with which he had been associated for much of his career, decided to temporarily step away from Dota 2 after their participation in the PGL Wallachia 2024 Season 2. Some players from the roster have since competed under the new tag Yakult's Brothers. NothingToSay's comments confirm that there were no significant internal conflicts within the team: "When I was at IG, the management did not interfere with the game, and everyone focused on their own tasks." These words highlight the importance of teamwork and mutual understanding in achieving success.

Bonkers Leaves OG

Changes have also occurred within OG. Team manager Bonkers (Allen Cook) has completed his time with the organisation, as his contract has ended. Allen had been with OG since 2019, joining the main roster in 2021. His departure has stirred emotions among OG players: offlaner Ammaar "ATF" Assaf remarked that Cook was "the most influential person" he had worked with, while carry 23savage expressed gratitude for the "fun and laughter" during their time together.

Team and Tournament Troubles

In addition to these changes, Team Falcons defeated 23savage and his team in the 1/16 finals of the BLAST Slam I tournament, which took place from November 26 to December 1. BetBoom Team emerged as the tournament champions, showcasing impressive results. A key moment was 23savage's departure from the tournament after their loss, highlighting the instability and difficulty of competing at the highest level.

The professional Dota 2 scene continues to undergo transitions. The departure of players, changes in rosters, and internal team disagreements have created a tense atmosphere. These events underscore the importance of finding a balance between personal decisions and teamwork, as well as the challenges of maintaining success at the top of the esports world.