After seven years in competitive Dota 2, two The International titles, and almost four years with OG, Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka decided to leave the competitive play.
OG’s enduring support player is leaving the team, the organization announced on Twitter. Unfortunately for fans, JerAx shared he lost interest in competitive play, as well as the spark that used to motivate him to compete and win. While he has the utmost respect and love towards the Dota 2 community and his fans, competing on a stage isn’t the path JerAx is comfortable taking anymore.
JerAx wrote a long letter to his fans to better understand his decision to stop competing. This comes just a few months after taking his second world champion title at The International 2019.
He says professional Dota 2 isn’t a platform for his creativity anymore. The process is too exhausting and it doesn’t make him happy anymore.
“I have no willingness nor passion to play Dota 2 anymore, and I have trouble fitting myself into my competitor’s shoes,” JerAx wrote. “For me the decision to pursue another direction is clear, and I have no doubts about it. I want to thank every single person from Dota 2, that I’ve met, talked to, or played with.”
OG also confirmed JerAx will be staying with the organization in some capacity, but his future position still unknown. OG is feeling both sad and proud, and is planning to organize an exclusive tribute night dedicated to JerAx in the near future.
“Jesse decided that it was time for him to pursue new things in life, and we couldn’t be prouder to have worked so many years with such an amazing, creative, smart and wholesome guy,” OG shared. “Thanks buddy, we love you!”
Soon after the announcement, OG teased there’s a video featuring JerAx in production. There is no doubt the cover person is JerAx, so Red Bull is probably producing a documentary about his rich Dota 2 history. The video could be premiering on the tribute night.
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