Anthony "vanity" Malaspina, former captain of Chaos and one of the notable leaders of the North American scene, has ended his professional career in VALORANT. In a post on X on November 4, he announced that he no longer enjoys playing the ranked mode of Riot’s shooter and cannot fully commit to training.
Vanity noted that it would be unfair to future teams and organizations if he continued playing without full engagement.
Returning to Roots: The History of Chaos and Departure from CS
Before VALORANT, vanity actively competed in CS, representing teams like Swole Patrol and eUnited, and later made a significant breakthrough with Chaos. In early 2020, he took the position of captain, replacing Joshua "steel" Nissan, and helped the team achieve impressive results. This roster also featured future VALORANT stars like Erick "Xeppaa" Bach and Nathan "leaf" Orf. However, due to limited financial resources and shrinking prospects on the North American scene, Chaos was forced to disband, pushing vanity and his teammates to transition to VALORANT.
I’ve decided to step away from VALORANT
— Anthony (@Vanityxz) November 4, 2024
A large reason for this is me not finding any enjoyment in playing ranked with the environment it’s developed into
I feel it’s not fair to my teammates and potential organization to compete when I can’t put in time outside of practice I’ve…
New Era of CS2: Ready for a Comeback?
If vanity officially returns to competitive Counter-Strike, he will need to adapt to the rapid changes associated with the scene’s transition to CS2 and Valve's plans for the 2025 VRS cycle. Although an expanded tournament circuit has been announced, concerns remain about limited opportunities for North American teams. From the perspective of viewers and organizations, the return of a seasoned captain like vanity could become a catalyst for renewed interest and revitalization of the scene, but much will depend on how he and his future team fit into the dynamically changing landscape.
Significance of This Event
Against the backdrop of the CS scene entering a new era, the return of iconic figures who left during the NA CS crisis could have a significant impact. Vanity, with his experience and leadership qualities, can bring a fresh perspective and vitality that the North American scene so desperately needs. This is an important moment that highlights how much VALORANT has influenced the career paths of professional players and the opportunities that arise with the advent of CS2.
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