Complexity to wind down as Jason Lake exits after 23 years

Jason Lake, founder and former CEO of Complexity, announced the organization will wind down operations at the end of 2025 and that he and his core team are leaving after 23 years with the brand.

Lake posted a video on X saying the decision followed a review of the business, its financing prospects and the ability to meet a seller-held note. Ownership of Complexity’s intellectual property has reverted to GameSquare because of that note.

In the video, he described the shutdown as being done “in an orderly and professional way” rather than collapsing abruptly. He said the assessment of the esports landscape and the low chances of raising capital to pay the seller-held note informed the choice to wind operations through the end of next year.

Lake led an investor group that re-acquired Complexity in 2024. GameSquare had previously bought the organization in 2021, and a majority stake was sold in 2017 to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and investor John Goff.

Complexity exited Counter-Strike competition in August 2025 after Lake concluded the organization could not properly support a CS roster in the prevailing esports economy.

The organization first fielded a Counter-Strike roster in 2004 and maintained a CS presence for 22 of the next 23 years. During that span Complexity won ESWC 2005, CPL Summer 2006 and ESL Challenger Jönköping 2024, and attended 10 official Majors, with top finishes including third-fourth at DreamHack Winter 2013 and fifth-eighth at EMS One Katowice 2014 and the FACEIT Major 2018.

Lake thanked staff, players and fans for their long involvement with the brand and acknowledged the personal impact of stepping away. “So for the first time in 23 years, myself and my core team of coworkers are no longer a part of Complexity,” he noted in the video, calling the moment “weird.”

He added he is not retiring: “I’m not done. No way.” Lake said he took a sabbatical earlier in the year, spent time with his family and is planning to build new projects, possibly within esports.

Complexity will continue to wrap up administrative and operational matters through the end of 2025, with the Complexity name and IP held by GameSquare. The announcement ends Lake’s direct involvement with the organization and leaves his future plans open.

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