When I first tried out Brood War in 1999, I remember thinking "Age of Empires is better." But when the summer of 2003 came around, for whatever reason, something had changed. I was hooked on StarCraft, and it became my only game for the next nine years.

While I thought I was kind of good, I never thought I was anything special at first. Still, I ended up on the best Swedish team. In 2007, I won my first DreamHack, and then I won another one in the following years and joined ToT, the best international team. When the StarCraft II Beta came around in 2010, I made the switch like most other pros back then.

The first big StarCraft II tournament I played ended up being my last Brood War tournament, because the Beta servers were down at the time. So I played Morrow in the finals of DreamHack Summer, and I won my third DreamHack title in Brood War.

After that, I caught Victor's attention, and after about two months or so of talking, I joined Liquid. It was a very nice feeling to join Liquid – I was so happy when I got into ToT for Brood War because they were the best team, and I felt the same way about Liquid. After joining, I got an opportunity to go to Korea in October of 2010, and I took it without hesitation.

When I got to Korea, Jonathan and Dario were already there and helped me get used to the new environment, and we went out to dinner with MC and InCa. Since then, I've been in Korea on and off for almost two years. I remember getting a seat next to oGs coach Cezanne, and how he was really helpful to me even though we understood very little of what each other was saying. I also remember playing ranking matches and winning easily against some kid who's name I couldn't remember. That "kid" turned out to be HerO.



Besides being my favorite tournament, MLG provided me some of my favorite memories from pro-gaming. At Dallas, the entire team got together for the first time, which was one of the best things about traveling to tournaments. Just lying in a hotel room and talking casually with everyone was fun, and interacting with the fans was also really great. I managed to stay in pool play for all of the 2011 MLGs, and I had one of my favorite tournaments ever at the final championship in Providence, beating Nestea and almost beating Mvp as well as I placed 7th.

I went to a lot of other tournaments as well, IPLs, Dreamhacks, Assembly, and so on. IPL3 in particular was important to me as well. Not all of them went as well as Providence, but even then, the people I was able to be with made it worth it. MLG Anaheim this year was one of my favorites, because me, Jon, Chris, and our friends stayed for a week after and had fun together. I consider myself lucky to have been able to travel to so many different places and meet so many wonderful people.



Why am I retiring? My motivation for the game has been declining. I don't have the same drive anymore and since I'm part of the older generation of gamers, I couldn't give sc2 another chance even if I wanted. I've decided to finish school and start the next chapter of my life. I have no idea what that will be, but I have my dreams and I hope to make them come true. Though I won't be playing professionally, I will still be watching SC2 tournaments and staying close with Team Liquid. Liquid isn't just a great professional team for us, it's also a second family for all the players.

Thanks to...

Nazgul – You're so much more than a manager. We played a lot together in beta, and you even managed to get some wins vs. me. I also got to stay at your home eating amazing food and having fun with the cats.

Jinro – Together with HuK we did so much together. Since we all stayed in Korea together we shared so many moments and went to most tournaments together. I will never forget the hole in the wall.

TLO – You always have interesting ideas that I don't always agree with because I like my own approach, which sometimes might be the easy way. Your practice determination is amazing and I wish I had it when I needed it too.

HuK – My best friend. I liked you since the day you came to the oGs TL house. My memory sucks and I don't know even remember why I started liking you so much, so fast. I have to be honest here, when you used to cannon rush every game, even during practice, I didn't like you, but other than that I've always liked you a lot.

You are a really great friend. I've felt comfortable telling you all my secrets, and you always give me good advice. Going out eating with you and Jon was always fun and helped my streaming sessions a lot. The daily Lottemart visit was a good for us to discuss our problems with different people and how to fix them. I will miss living together with you. I hope we get to meet soon again. I will plan a trip to Korea for sure.

Zenio – I remember when I first got to Korea, you were very fast to tell me that Zerg isn't a good race ^^. When I was watching you play I was amazed at your mechanics so much that I tried to change my hotkeys to the same as yours. It failed but still I wont forget the fun fights in the oGs house between you and TOP. It was fun to watch.

Taeja – We haven't been team mates for a long time but I'm already a big fan of yours. You will just get better and better with time. Good luck!

Tyler – When you beat my teammate Mondragon in the finals of TSL2 I wasn't happy with you. After meeting you and seeing how fast you could run I was very pleased. I really hope you can get back to the old shape that won you TSL2 so easy.

Sheth – When we played in Brood War, I was always afraid of your two base ultra build. We have had good games throughout our careers and I've enjoyed them a lot.

Hero – When I first met you I thought you looked a lot like Bisu ^^. I liked you a lot from the start. I remember when you told me after the GSL qualifiers that you had to leave the oGs house if you didn't qualify for Code A. That made me sad, and I told you that maybe you could join Liquid and get to stay in the house anyway. Well, you are in Liquid now, and in Code S! Your English has improved so much. I feel like I can talk with you like I can talk with anyone else. Also you aren't as shy anymore which is great. I will miss you a lot.

Robin – You are always there when we need you. I don't know how you manage but you do. You are really good at your work but also a great friend and fun to have around at tournaments.

Ret – I've known you the longest out of everyone. You used to be my idol in Brood War, and are the reason I played Z and TvZ. I was really happy when you decided to rejoin ToT and happy again when you joined Liquid. Your game understanding is impressive. When we both were in Korea we used to go to the GS24 store at like 5-6 am everyday. I wont forget that.

And finally, I want to give a big thanks to the fans who have been with me throughout the years. When I lost my motivation you guys were the reason I came back and gave it another try. I will never forget all of you standing behind me at MLG Providence when I was playing Mvp. That was a great feeling and it was the reason I did so well. Thank you for coming to me and asking for signatures and pictures, I enjoyed it a lot. The support I've received in my SC2 career has been amazing and I'm incredibly happy for it.

Going back to school is not something you decide on in an instant, so I've known about Hayder's decision for some time. During the IPL TAC3 finals, it hit me that it was the last time Hayder would be with us at a tournament as a progamer, and what it meant to lose his presence. I will miss it very much, as will everyone on Liquid.

But however much we may miss Hayder, I know he's making the right choice. With a few rare exceptions, the prospects progaming offers don't justify staying around past a certain age. For Hayder, it's time to move on, finish school, and set out for new challenges in life.

I would have liked to have written something like I did for Jinro, but Hayder had a different kind of career. Throughout the past two years, I haven't always been able to get the best out of him, and I wish I had. Even if Hayder wasn't a champion in his SC2 career, he traveled the world, made friends, and managed to bring a smile to peoples faces wherever he would go. All of us have seen him grow as a person. From being a shy StarCraft player, to being our best shot at seeing a Liquid comedian on stage some day.

I'm glad Hayder will stick around the SC2 scene, or else we'd all suffer from withdrawal. As with Jinro, and others before, Hayder will remain on Liquid as a retired member.

Hayder, I wish you all the best.