Complexity Gaming, commonly referred to as Complexity or COL, is an American esports franchise headquartered in Frisco, Texas. Established in 2003 by Jason Lake, the franchise has grown into one of the most prominent and enduring organizations in the esports world. It competes in various games, including Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, FIFA, Fortnite, Hearthstone, Madden, Magic: The Gathering Arena, Rocket League, and Valorant. The franchise operates out of the Legion by Lenovo Esports Center, a state-of-the-art training facility located in The Star, and has a rich history marked by significant achievements and notable ownership changes.

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Founding and Early Years (1998–2007)

Complexity Gaming was started by Jason Lake as a Counter-Strike: 1.3 clan in 1998. In 2003, Lake transitioned the clan into a professional team by paying two gamers from his own pocket, thus formally establishing Complexity Gaming. Initially, Lake was both a player and manager, but in 2004, he shifted to an administrative and coaching role to better manage the team.

During these formative years, Lake, who was a real estate lawyer based in Atlanta, Georgia, financed the team's salaries and travel expenses out of his own pocket. By 2007, he had invested over $400,000 into the team. Complexity Gaming quickly became a competitive force, achieving significant victories such as the 2006 Intel Summer Championships and the DirecTV Championship Gaming Invitational. These successes led to Lake selling the team to DirecTV for $100,000, and the team was rebranded as Los Angeles Complexity, joining the Championship Gaming Series.

Throughout the early 2000s, numerous staff members contributed to raising the organization's profile. Notable members included Kyle "kuniva" Shellhouse, Jordan "p4t" Taylor, Rick "digx" Martinez, and Shane "exica" Bailey, who all played key roles in content creation, recruitment, graphics, and animation.

Continued Growth and Expansion (2008–2016)

After the Championship Gaming Series folded in 2008, Complexity continued to operate, fielding teams in games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, and Dota 2. The organization became a member of the G7 Teams, a group that promoted esports in the late 2000s. Although Complexity was temporarily removed from the group, they were re-added in 2009.

During this period, Complexity achieved notable placements in various competitions, including a 3rd place finish at Dreamhack Winter 2009 and 2nd place at the IEM IV American Championship. They also delved into Quake Live, picking up players like Sander "Vo0" Kaasjager and Brian "dkt" Flanders, and competed in games such as Madden NFL 2010, Team Fortress 2, and FIFA 10.

In 2013, Complexity won the Call of Duty: Black Ops II championship at ESWC 2013. However, in 2014, they sold their Call of Duty team to Evil Geniuses. In 2015, Complexity acquired the Heroes of the Storm team Barrel Boys, with a roster that included Stafford "McIntyre" McIntyre, Alexei "Blinks" Bazhenov, Drew "Trummel" Trummel, Aaron "Erho" Kappes, and Edward "TigerJK" Hong.

Complexity's Dota 2 team qualified for The International 2015 through the regional qualifying tournament, despite not receiving a direct invitation. This team was based in a gaming house near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, showcasing Complexity's commitment to providing top-tier facilities for their players.

Sale to Jerry Jones and John Goff (2017–2024)

In 2017, Complexity Gaming experienced a significant change in ownership when Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and real estate investor John Goff purchased the organization. This acquisition marked a new era for Complexity, as it relocated to Frisco, Texas, and integrated into The Star, the Dallas Cowboys' World Headquarters. Jason Lake remained the CEO of the team, while fellow co-founder Jason Bass sold his stake in the organization.

Under the new ownership, Complexity Gaming saw substantial investments and improvements in infrastructure. In 2019, GameStop sponsored the construction of a new headquarters and training facility, the GameStop Performance Center, within The Star complex. This state-of-the-art facility served as a hub for the team's operations and training, further solidifying Complexity's presence in the esports industry.

During this period, Complexity expanded its competitive reach, adding a Rocket League team in 2018 and collaborating with designer Luke Millanta in 2019 to create a collection of Complexity-branded Counter-Strike: Global Offensive weapon skins. These initiatives helped increase the franchise's visibility and engagement with the gaming community.

Reacquisition by Jason Lake (2024–present)

In 2024, Complexity Gaming underwent another ownership change when Jason Lake reacquired the organization for $10.36 million from GameSquare Holdings. This reacquisition followed GameSquare's merger with FaZe Clan and was part of a strategic move to ensure Complexity's continued growth and independence. The deal included an initial payment of $75,000 and a seller-financed note of approximately $9.61 million, with GameSquare entitled to 50% of proceeds from any equity raised by Global Esports in excess of $500,000.

Under Lake's renewed leadership, Complexity Gaming aimed to build on its rich history and legacy in the esports industry. One of the significant milestones during this period was Complexity's return to the top-tier competitive scene with a finals appearance at IEM Sydney 2023, marking their first tier 1 final in years. Additionally, they secured their first trophy victory in 14 years at the ESL Challenger at DreamHack Summer 2024.

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Conclusion

Complexity Gaming's journey from its founding in 2003 to its current status as a leading esports organization is a testament to resilience, strategic vision, and a commitment to excellence. Over the years, the franchise has navigated significant changes in ownership, expanded its competitive portfolio, and invested in state-of-the-art facilities. With Jason Lake at the helm once again, Complexity Gaming is poised to continue its legacy of competitive success and innovation in the ever-evolving world of esports. As they look to the future, Complexity remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of esports and providing top-tier experiences for players and fans alike.