SlasheR retires from Call of Duty esports

Austin Liddicoat, higher generally known as Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat, has introduced his retirement from aggressive Name of Obligation esports, bringing an finish to a profession that spanned greater than a decade of play.

The American participant shared the information in a submit on X (previously Twitter), explaining that the choice was revamped the vacation break and that timing prevented him from releasing a extra in-depth video.

“Over the vacation break, I’ve made one of many hardest choices I’ve ever needed to make,” SlasheR wrote. “I’m formally retiring from aggressive Name of Obligation… As of late, the sport and the present CDL format doesn’t encourage the identical degree of pleasure I as soon as had for enjoying aggressive COD.”

SlasheR added that whereas he not plans to compete, he hopes to stay concerned within the Name of Obligation group in some capability, although he’s uncertain what the longer term holds.

SlasheR is broadly considered one of the vital constant essential assault rifle gamers in Name of Obligation historical past. He rose to prominence throughout the 2010s period, successful the Name of Obligation World League (CWL) Championship in 2016, the place his group claimed $800,000 (~£630,000) in prize cash.

Throughout a number of titles and eras, SlasheR competed within the CWL and later the Name of Obligation League, reaching quite a few podium finishes. His notable outcomes embrace victories on the CWL London 2019 and CWL Anaheim 2018, in addition to CDL Main wins in each 2022 and 2023.

Extra just lately, SlasheR continued to compete all through the 2024 and 2025 seasons, showing at a number of Name of Obligation League Majors and Playoffs, earlier than in the end deciding to step away from skilled competitors.

Following the announcement, tributes poured in from throughout the scene. Carolina Royal Ravens, one of many groups SlasheR represented throughout his profession, posted a message referencing Marvel character Thanos, writing: “The toughest selections require the strongest wills.”

The organisation added: “We want Austin farewell as he determined to step away from the sport to hold up the sticks. One of the vital storied ARs in CoD historical past with a legacy that may all the time stay on.”

In his personal message, SlasheR thanked teammates, opponents and followers for his or her assist, in addition to family and friends for understanding the sacrifices required to compete on the prime degree.

“We created reminiscences and friendships that may final a lifetime,” he stated.

Together with his retirement, the Name of Obligation scene sees the departure of one other long-standing determine from the pre-franchising period — a reminder of how a lot the aggressive panorama has developed since SlasheR first broke onto the scene.