South American esports organization paiN Gaming has officially stepped away from Dota 2 once again, just two months after re-entering the esport, citing structural challenges and long-term sustainability concerns behind the decision.
In a statement released on April 12, paiN Gaming confirmed that it has mutually parted ways with its entire Dota 2 roster, composed of Gonzalo “DarkMago” Herrera, Frank “Frank” Ayala, Elvis “Scofield” Peña, Yelsthin “Elmisho” Hurtado, and Máximo “Wits” Orozco, along with its coaching staff of Juan “Vintage” Angulo, Ryan” Tristam” Diaz, and Edson “EdsonVera” Bazan.
The move effectively ends the org’s brief return to the competitive scene of Valve’s MOBA title.
“Throughout this journey, we conducted a careful evaluation of the project as a whole and came to the understanding that this is the right moment to close this chapter, considering the demands, structural challenges, and the need to ensure the project’s sustainability in order to remain at the highest competitive level” paiN Gaming said in the statement.
The Brazil-based organization thanked its players, staff, and fans for their support during the short-lived stint, while leaving the door open for a possible return to Dota 2: “Who knows, maybe our paths will cross again in the future.”
PaiN Gaming’s short-lived Dota 2 comeback
PaiN Gaming only recently returned to Dota 2 last February 2, signing the Peru Rejects roster and marking its revival in the scene after six years. The comeback initially sparked optimism among South American fans, as paiN is one of the region’s most recognizable esports brands, most notably in Counter-Strike 2 and League of Legends.
However, the team struggled to find stability early on. Just two matches into DreamLeague Season 28, their first tournament, the team benched controversial carry David “Parker” Nicho Flores and brought in Aliaksei “Smiling Knight” Svirydauas a stand-in.
Vintage later pointed to internal problems, saying the team was dealing with “a group issue” and “an attitude issue” that couldn’t be resolved. PaiN eventually finished near the bottom at DreamLeague Season 28, placing 13th-14th.
A roster change followed, as Wits replaced Parker, but consistency remained elusive. While the team managed to secure a first-place finish in the tier-3 CCT Season 2 Series 8 tournament, it failed to carry that momentum into higher-tier competition, ending 11th-12th at ESL One Birmingham. Nearly two weeks after the event, paiN disbanded its Dota 2 division.
What paiN Gaming’s exit means for South American Dota 2 scene
PaiN Gaming’s departure is a big blow to the South American Dota 2 scene, which has long depended on established organizations to provide the resources needed to compete with regions like Europe and China.
As one of the few major regional brands, alongside orgs like HEROIC, paiN had the financial backing and fan support to sustain a top-level roster. Its exit leaves a gap in the SA Dota pro scene—especially for up-and-coming players and smaller teams who rely on stacks or limited sponsorships—with fewer organizations to join for long-term tenure.
While paiN has not completely slammed the door on Dota 2, its quick exit just shows that the current scene at SA may be too demanding or financially risky for orgs without guaranteed stability or consistent high finishes in top-tier tournaments.
