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Complexity Ceases Operations After 23 Years
One of North America's oldest esports organizations has reached the end of the road. Jason Lake confirmed on Wednesday (23) that Complexity has ceased operations after 23 years.
According to the founder, the decision to shut down the organization was made at the end of 2025, while the following months were spent completing the legal and corporate processes involved in transferring the brand's intellectual property.
Complexity had already left Counter-Strike 2 in August 2025, when Lake cited the financial challenges of maintaining a Tier 1 team.
The organization continued operating on a reduced scale after its exit from the game, including activities connected to the NA Revival Series and a Halo Infinite team during the second half of that year.
Jason Lake Explains Why Complexity Shut Down
In the video announcing the decision publicly, Lake explained that he knew reacquiring the organization would be an uphill battle and that its financial situation ultimately led to the shutdown.
“We surveyed the landscape, surveyed where the business was at and prospects for raising capital to pay off the seller-held note, and decided the best thing to do was to shut it down in an orderly and professional way rather than crashing it into the sun, as sometimes we see with other organizations.”
Lake had regained control of Complexity in 2024 through Global Esports Properties, an investor group led by him. The deal with GameSquare was valued at approximately $10.36 million. Of that amount, $750,000 was paid at closing, while approximately $9.61 million was structured through a three-year seller-financed note.
Unable to raise the capital needed to meet those obligations while continuing to fund the operation, Lake decided to shut the organization down. He said Complexity's intellectual property has now been transferred back to GameSquare.
“We have transferred the IP of Complexity back to GameSquare because they had a seller-held note when I bought it back. So the IP is still out there, but me and my core team are no longer associated or have any say or ownership whatsoever.”
GameSquare is also the current owner of FaZe Esports. In August 2026, the company itself described the organization as a wholly owned subsidiary of the group.
A History of More Than 140 Championships
Founded by Lake in 2003, Complexity has spanned several generations of esports. According to the organization, its teams won more than 140 championships across nearly 30 games throughout its history.
Counter-Strike stood at the heart of that journey from the organization's early years. In CS 1.6, Complexity won ESWC 2005 and CPL Summer 2006. Decades later, in the modern era of the game, they won the BLAST Premier Spring 2020 European Finals and reached the final of IEM Sydney 2023. In 2024, Complexity also won the ESL Challenger at DreamHack Summer.
The organization also built an important legacy outside Counter-Strike. One of its biggest championships came in 2014, when its Call of Duty team won the Call of Duty Championship in Los Angeles and earned $400,000 for the victory.
As he said goodbye, Lake chose to focus on the people who had been part of the organization over more than two decades.
“Rather than focus on the sadness of something ending, I much rather prefer to really just focus on 23 years of something wonderful. Hundreds of people are alumni of Complexity, amazing people.”
The founder also thanked employees, investors, players, and fans. According to Lake, some members of his core team worked alongside him for around 15 years.
“I have deep gratitude in my heart and wonderful memories of almost a quarter of a century of the Complexity family and, of course, I would be remiss if I didn't thank all our fans around the world.”
The End of Complexity Is Not the End for Jason Lake in Esports
Despite the organization's shutdown, Lake ruled out retirement. He said he spent part of 2026 on a much-needed sabbatical, resting and spending more time with his family after years of working under a high level of stress.
“I'm not done. No way. I've taken a much-needed sabbatical this year, got some rest, spent a lot of time with my family. I am extremely excited to build something new.”
Lake said he plans to explore new opportunities and would like to remain in esports, although he acknowledged that he does not yet know whether the right opportunity will be available in the current landscape.
“I am most certainly not retiring and I'd love to build, I'd love to lead and I'll keep you updated. I'm getting back on the horse and I'll be looking around out there to see where's the best place for me to contribute in a meaningful way.”
Lake ended the announcement with one final reference to the organization he had led since 2003: “I guess you could say this is coL One signing out of Complexity after 23 years.”
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Featured image credit: Complexity Gaming
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