Anyone familiar with eSports knows they are a serious business. The intensity with which players engage with a game likeOverwatchchanges in the professional scene. As incidents like onepro player being fined for sharing an off-color memeindicate, everything from gameplay to public image becomes more important for a professional gamer.
This has become even more serious with the foundation of Activision’s eSports leagues. For many games, even in eSports, there was once an air of informality. That age has passed with the official city leagues set up by Activision. Official teams in theCall of DutyLeague andOverwatchLeague purchase licenses from Activision and compete for huge amounts of money.
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Nevertheless, many players find fulfillment in jumping into intense eSports competitions. This was the case for Noh “Gamsu” Yeong-Jin, an eSports regular in theLeague of Legendsscene. For a little over three years, Gamsu playedLOLprofessionally before retiring. Some time after, he took on the role of a professionalOverwatchplayer and stuck with it through the formation of the OWL. In a recent tweet, Gamsu announced his retirement from the OWL. Rather than switching toValorantlike Jay Won after he quitOverwatch, Gamsu has gone back to professionalLeague of Legends.
While the tweet is not specific, there could be any number of reasons for Gamsu’s departure. The future of the OWL, along with other live events, has been in flux thanks to COVID-19. When theMarch and April OWL events were cancelled, a major source of income for the League was likely affected. This has been the case with the OWL and theCall of DutyLeague. With an uncertain future, it would make sense to jump ship.
On the other hand, this could be a result of more personal reasons. Perhaps Gamsu has simply had enough ofOverwatch, or the stressful scenario of the OWL.OneOverwatchplayer even collapsedfrom exhaustion after a game live on camera. WhileLOLis intense in its own right, it is most stressful in short bursts as opposed to the constant, on-the-fly decisions required from a game likeOverwatch.
The response to his choice has been mixed. While many have wished him well, some have lamented his new game of choice. Still, if he re-commits the way he has been committed toOverwatch, there’s a chance Gamsu could be counted amongthe best atLeague of Legendswhen next the world championship roles around.
Overwatchis available now on PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.
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