BurNIng has been referred to, at various times and in various contexts, with nicknames such as “Universe B”, “Emperor B”, “B-God”, and so on — all in respect to his status as perhaps the single most legendary player and carry of the Dota and Dota 2 scene.

rOtK’s ID, in his own explanation, stands for ‘Return of the king’. His loudness and charisma has indeed solidified his image as a dominant personality and force in the scene, one with the ability to dictate not only his own team’s tempo, but the emotions of those around him too.

The Emperor and the King have ascended from their terrestrial roles as competitors into the pantheon of Dota — today, these two important figures announced their respective retirements from professional competition in Dota 2 within a minute of each other. And the stage grows a bit emptier, or perhaps it opens up space for the next rulers of the scene.

Their retirement announcements are translated below, with care –

BurNIng’s announcement:

“For me, today is an important day. I’ve decided to bid farewell to the professional scene, and end my professional competing career.

Seven years of Dota, six years of professional play. Going through countless version changes, I’ve been very lucky to be able to come into and become part of it all. It has taken me along the path of a professional esports competitor, and allowed me to achieve countless honors and glories, fulfilling one goal after another. Dreams are destined to be the luxuries of the few, and even now some past results leave me with remorse. Remember who you were when you first set out, and you will find yourself successful in what you desire. All along this journey, I’ve only striven for a clear conscience and no regrets.

What there is more of, is thankfulness. First of all I must thank Dota, it brought me up onto this magical stage, allowing the introverted me another way of expressing myself. Next I must thank those teammates who have fought alongside me, and the opponents who have driven me to continue improving. Without you all, I would not be who I am today. Lastly I want to thank the fans and friends who have watched me and supported me all this time, your encouragement gave me confidence, your criticisms helped me grow.

Today my Dota competing career has come to an end, and I hope this is only a pause and not a full stop. No matter how much I am reluctant for this day to come, it has still come. Just like in that question they asked me last year, ‘What has your youth been?’ My answer at the time was, ‘My youth has been Dota.’ Now, it’s as if my youth has been taken away alongside this retirement, but nothing can take away those shining memories carved into the lifelong recollections of my heart.

After retiring, I will continue to be active in and around this scene. Early plans are to stay with the club and help train new talents, using my accumulated experience and methods to help them mature. I will also partner with rOtK to commentate, as well as attend some offline events to interact with everyone. I hope those interested will come support.”

rOtK’s announcement:

“Through a period of consideration, I’ve decided to retire. Perhaps it has been the four or five years of competition, my body has shown some signs of wear and desires a period of rest. Three years with DK; joy, success, and loss, have all been imprinted upon the path of my youth. In the one year with VG I felt that I matured quite a bit, I’ve been more able to assume responsibilities. Thank you to the club and my teammates for your confidence in me, you will always be the best! The second of my only two sons (Sylar) has finally had the chance to fight with me for a year, there is nothing else to regret. Super has been a teammate for four or five years now, we need not say much between ourselves, and I will never have truly left you. What we said before whilst drinking, ‘Wherever you are, I am there as well.’ Sylar, your drinking ability is so low. We haven’t exchanged much in terms of heart to heart talks, but what has been, has been enough. In many things I can only say that I’ve tried my best, there’s nothing else I can do. No matter what, though, I wish everyone happiness in the future, because that is most important.

I also want to thank our big Dota academy (joke referring to a previous rOtK appearance at a university where he gave a talk on Dota), I still have many classmates, and I hope that you all will accomplish your goals in life. In the future if someone asks me, I will say I graduated from the Dota Academy, and I am proud of it!

Even though it has only been one year, but I will still never forget our VG five-man group. The strongest newcomer for the future, a future Rubick fun-name competitor, what you need is a tranquil heart, and more experience. The most professional and hardworking five-position Fenrir, you are the Ah-K of my heart (I believe this is referring to Hongo Kanata, who bears some resemblance), every victory cannot be separated from your selfless play and sacrifice. Strongest mid player in the world, second to none, you have a hero pool worthy of fun-names beyond mention. Morphling’s fun-name contender Sylar, steadiness is your longstanding style, I hope that you can bear more responsibility in the future, and play more aggressively. IamHunter (VG CEO), JaL (VG team lead), 357 (VG coach), and everyone at the club I send my wishes for you all to have smooth success in the future.

And all my teammates from the past, MMY, longDD, zippO, 357, and many many more, thank you for the understanding you have shown me and my weaknesses, thank you.

This one year at VG has been very happy, and it has gone by in a very fulfilling way. From our first international title, to our lows, to our unstoppable force at TI4… I won’t say more, because tears would come.

Whether it is my unwavering support of my teammates, or my fiery passion for Dota, I am still the same me as before ^_^

After retiring, I will team up with BurNIng to commentate, and I will go to some offline events to interact with everyone. Those interested can look out for these and come to support, and it’s possible that we will still form a fun team in the future to play and keep ourselves busy. There are also many more surprises, so please look forward.

For example, “Hello everyone we are BB, I am xB (rOtK), I am BurNIng (big B),” will you all watch a show where we are the hosts?

I will focus my energies on promoting esports, so esports can truly become hot!

Lastly I want to thank all those who have supported esports, loved esports. You have accompanied me on my career path, allowed me to have more confidence, and brought more excitement to my journey. Now that I’ve retired, I will have more time, so I will frequently organize in-houses and groups to play together in my fan club, keep fighting!”