Former Digital Chaos organization returns to Dota 2

Chaos has returned to the Dota 2 scene.

The esports organization previously known as Digital Chaos revealed on Twitter that it has acquired the Dota 2 roster of South America’s PaiN Gaming. The move reunites the organization with former players Aliwi “w33” Omar and Rasmus “MISERY” Filipsen, and also marks Chaos’ return to South America following the release of its ill-fated Digital Chaos.SA team.

The announcement comes as something of a surprise. Though the ex-PaiN Gaming squad has failed to take home any trophies from big tournaments, the team has firmly established itself as South America’s best, a title which is good for an almost guaranteed appearance at every major this season. Given the team’s success, it was easy to assume that the organization and players would be keen on continuing their relationship.

But Esports Heaven released a scathing report on PaiN Gaming in December, stating that the company was taking a substantial cut of its players’ winnings and skimming even more by charging the team for its own boot camps. Though the report hasn’t been publicly acknowledged by any of the involved parties, it did cast a dark cloud over the team’s relationship with the organization.

This comes shortly after the sudden departure of the PaiN X team from the same organization.

Despite entering the season with a pair of formidable teams, PaiN Gaming now finds itself without a single Dota 2 player among its ranks. Whether it plans to rebuild or simply narrow its focus towards its other teams remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Chaos won’t have to wait long before officially returning to competitive Dota 2. Misery and company are already set to compete in both the Chongqing Major, which kicks off January 19, and at ESL One Katowice.