TL;DR
- Perkz announced mental health break following G2’s victory over Fnatic in LEC Summer Split
- G2’s inconsistent performance created significant pressure with three losses this season
- Community and competitors showed overwhelming support for the decision
- The break highlights growing awareness of mental health in professional esports
- Temporary absence may lead to stronger performance upon return

Luka “Perkz” Perković will be absent from G2 Esports’ starting lineup during the upcoming LEC Summer Split weekend matches. This decision comes despite the team’s recent impressive performance.
Following their decisive triumph against rivals Fnatic in week three competition, Perkz revealed his temporary departure from active play. While expressing satisfaction with the team’s execution, he acknowledged struggling with mounting competitive stress that necessitated this intervention.
“Taking time away from professional competition next week feels appropriate, and concluding on such a strong performance makes the transition easier,” Perkz explained in post-match comments.
I’m so happy we won today with good performance!
I’ve been having a bit hard time dealing with stress so I will be taking a break from competing from next week so it feels really good taking a break on a very high note ????????
— Luka (@G2Perkz)June 27, 2020
The esports community responded overwhelmingly positively to Perkz’s mental health prioritization. The LEC official account immediately expressed solidarity through heart emoji responses, while defeated opponents Fnatic offered genuine supportive messaging.
“Congratulations on tonight’s victory, Luka. Beyond competitive results, we hope you enjoy your well-earned rest period,” their social media team posted.
Despite their weekend success, Perkz’s stress accumulation reflects G2’s challenging season trajectory. The organization hasn’t maintained their dominant Spring Split form, suffering three unexpected defeats already this season.
Many losses stemmed from uncharacteristic strategic errors that veteran analysts considered atypical for the championship-caliber roster. These performance dips often correlate with prolonged competitive pressure affecting decision-making precision.
The Fnatic victory demonstrated G2’s underlying championship potential remains intact. Temporary performance degradation from accumulated stress suggests Perkz could return significantly refreshed and more consistent post-break.
Professional gamers frequently face unique mental health challenges including performance anxiety, public scrutiny, and constant adaptation demands. Unlike traditional sports, esports professionals encounter rapidly evolving metas, patch changes, and 24/7 streaming culture that amplifies pressure.
Perkz’s situation highlights a critical evolution in esports professionalism—the normalization of mental health maintenance. Top organizations now recognize that player well-being directly correlates with competitive longevity and peak performance.
Common stress management strategies employed by professional gamers include scheduled breaks, mental performance coaching, and structured recovery periods. Many teams now incorporate sports psychology principles similar to traditional athletics.
Warning signs of professional burnout often include decreased reaction times, strategic inconsistency, and emotional volatility during competition. Early intervention typically yields better recovery outcomes than pushing through symptoms.
The industry’s supportive response to Perkz’s announcement indicates positive cultural shifts. Where previously such admissions might have been stigmatized, the community now largely recognizes mental health as integral to sustainable careers.
Currently, Perkz travels to Croatia’s coastal region for family time with his mother and brother. His social media indicates genuine enthusiasm for this therapeutic respite from competitive demands.
Enjoy king
— G2 m1xwell (@Mixwell)June 27, 2020
Temporary roster adjustments represent standard practice in modern esports management. Teams often utilize substitute players during starter recovery periods, maintaining competitive momentum while prioritizing long-term player health.
Successful return transitions typically involve phased reintegration, beginning with scrim participation before full competitive return. This approach minimizes re-entry stress and ensures sustained performance recovery.
The gaming community’s evolving perspective on mental health continues reshaping professional standards. As esports matures, player care protocols increasingly mirror traditional sports medicine practices.
Action Checklist
- Monitor performance consistency and emotional responses during extended play sessions
- Schedule regular breaks during training periods – aim for 15-minute breaks every 2 hours
- Establish clear boundaries between competitive play and personal time
- Develop pre-competition and post-competition routines to manage stress cycles
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