Lauri “Cyanide” Happonen, a famous League of Legends player, died on July 31 at age 31. The cause was not disclosed, but his story shows how strong competition can affect a gamer’s well‑being.

He won the 2011 League of Legends World Championship with Fnatic when he was only 16. Because this was the first world championship, he became a pioneering figure in the game.

He left Fnatic at the end of 2014. He said his passion was fading, he felt far too much pressure, and he fell into depression. He stepped away from professional play for his mental health, later streamed for about a year and a half, studied business in Helsinki, hosted a video‑game program for Yle Kioski Gaming, and worked in quality management in Finland.

His career shows that high expectations and pressure in esports can hurt mental health. It reminds players and teams to prioritize well‑being above competition.