Video Game Boot Camps Aziz "Hax" Al-Yami has announced an indefinite break from competitive Super Smash Bros. due to a hand injury. The injury first surfaced in May of 2014 as a sprained wrist and a loss of feelings in his fingers. The injury has worsened to the point that Hax is required to take a break. Having recently ranked 8th on Melle it on Mes Top 100 Melee rankings, Hax was seen as one of the few players to be able to truly challenge the "Big 6" of Super Smash Bros. Melee (Joseph "Mang0" Marquez, Adam "Armada" Lingren, Kevin "PPMD" Nanney, Jason "Mew2King Zimmerman, Juan "Hungrybox" Debiedma, and William "Leffen" Hjelte). With this indefinite hiatus from the game taking place now, one wonders if Hax will be able to ever catch up to the "Big 6".

Hax finds himself joining a long line of players who have been plagued by play related injuries over the history of Esports. Haxs announcement has also brought player health issues into the limelight, with many people starting to recognize the importance of stretching and taking care of ones health to ensure longer careers. Even Mang0, widely considered the best player currently and even of all time, has stated that he can only play Fox for about 1 or 2 more years.

"Spaceys", as Fox and Falco are often termed, are the most technically demanding characters in Super Smash Bros. Melee, often requiring several inputs per second that make it difficult to play him for long periods at a time. Many fans are wondering if players will switch mains from Fox or Falco to a less technically demanding character so that they can have a longer career. 

Haxs full statement on his twitter is as follows: 

sad to announce that Im on an indefinite hiatus from Smash. hand injury from back in May has worsened. dont know how long Ill be gone for.

With Haxs departure from competition, character selection being looked at more, and the recent release of Smash 4 on the Wii U, it will be very interesting to see how things will play out in 2015 for competitive Super Smash Bros. Melee.