There has been talk recently about popular CS:GO player Shroud considering retirement. People are wondering if this means he has lost interest and will no longer give his best performances. Should Cloud9 cut ties with him and find a replacement?
The end is in sight
During a stream, Shroud revealed that he doesn’t want to be a professional player in CS:GO for many more years. He has already been playing for a few years and sees himself continuing for only one to two more years. If he ever feels like ending his career earlier, he might do so.
This discussion comes after Shroud mentioned a few months ago that if he could guarantee success as a streamer with a stable 10,000 subscribers per month on Twitch, which is equivalent to the income of a successful lawyer, he would quit being a pro player. With Shroud’s underwhelming performances recently and his success as a streamer, many wonder if he will step aside and focus solely on streaming.
All the way in or all the way out
Some, including Shroud’s former teammate fREAKAZOiD, believe that if Shroud plans to retire in the near future, he should leave the professional scene immediately. This suggests that his focus may not be as strong anymore. Some players, like fREAKAZOiD, see this as a sign that they no longer have the drive to win and should reflect on why they continue to play. However, it is important to remember that not all players are the same and have different motivations and goals.
In the competitive gaming world, there are players who perform well but not at an exceptional level, and those who have talent but don’t always reach their full potential. Some professionals simply practice and play to satisfy their competitive nature without aiming for greatness. It’s perfectly fine to match your peers in effort and accept the results. Tomorrow is always another opportunity to start over.
I’ve known elite level CS:GO professionals who have considered retiring but went on to win trophies and achieve career peaks. Players are different and have their own journeys. Even though they may share similarities, they are not all the same.
Shroud has faced accusations of not focusing enough on the competitive side, especially when Cloud9 went through a slump. However, he has been with Cloud9 since 2014, with no personal problems or issues with his work ethic. He has shown frustration and disappointment with his performances, proving his dedication.
Either Shroud was never fully committed or he has changed his perspective. It’s hard to say without concrete evidence. However, his career so far suggests that he can handle both being a professional player and a streamer.
Impact on the top line of C9
The concern is not only about Shroud’s focus and drive, but also how his decision could affect his teammates like Stewie and autimatic. These two players are often seen as the future success of Cloud9. If they believe that Shroud will not perform his duties and is just delaying the process of finding a replacement, they might consider removing him from the team to ensure progress. Great teams have made tough decisions in the past for the sake of success.
SK Gaming removed fnx, flusha and JW left FNATIC, and legendary players HeatoN and Potti were known for upgrading their team when necessary. Winning trophies was their focus, not friendships.
Not long left but a long time coming
Shroud’s retirement from CS:GO makes sense. He has reached his peak, struggled to maintain top performances, and Cloud9 needs a roster change. With his success as a streamer and value to an organization, transitioning to full-time streaming was always a possibility for Shroud. Finally, after reflecting on the situation multiple times, he has shared his thoughts about retiring publicly.
Shroud started his professional career in the summer of 2014, which means he has been a pro player for almost three years. This is already longer than many professionals in other esports can claim. Shroud’s career history shows that he is motivated and will continue to balance both his professional careers as player and streamer. While there may be arguments for removing him from Cloud9, his retirement plan is not one of them.