Alexander *s1mple* Kostylev, one of the most striking and recognizable figures in the history of Counter-Strike, is still without a team. And this is especially noticeable on the stage, where new names appear almost every month, and the line-ups change with enviable regularity. His absence is acutely felt. Despite hints, fragmentary phrases in interviews and rare comments on social networks, we did not see the Ukrainian sniper in the official matches of the current season. Recall that in October 2023, s1mple openly announced a career break, and since then he has played only one official game — a short and largely symbolic match as part of Team Falcons.
Even before this decision, s1mple did not hide his skepticism about the new version of Counter-Strike. His remarks about CS2 were harsh and emotional — so much so that they instantly caused a wave of discussions. Many fans and analysts decided that dissatisfaction with the game was the main reason for leaving. But, as it often happens, everything turned out to be more complicated and not so obvious. In addition to gaming factors, the situation was also aggravated by quite everyday difficulties — issues with documents and residence in Europe, which seriously complicated the possibility of a stable return to the professional scene.
The longer the pause dragged on, the clearer it became: s1mple’s comeback to the main cast of Natus Vincere no longer looked like something guaranteed. Moreover, his replacement, Igor w0nderful Zhdanov, did not just close the position, but organically fit into the team’s game system. It was with him that NAVI achieved, perhaps, the main success of the new era — they won the first CS2 Major in history. This triumph finally consolidated a new reality: the team learned how to win without its legendary sniper.
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How has s1mple been living all this time?
More than six months have passed since the pause was announced. And contrary to fears, s1mple has not disappeared or “dropped out” of life. On the contrary, he began to live a little slower, but more consciously. Outside of the competitive scene, the 17-time MVP has focused on projects that previously simply couldn’t fit into a busy schedule of training sessions and tournaments.
One of the key areas was the educational project that s1mple is developing together with its older brother, who is now not affiliated with the Na’VI organization. For Alexander himself, this is not just another business or information product. He openly says that he wants to pass on his understanding of Counter-Strike to young players — not only the mechanics of shooting, but also the mindset, discipline, attitude to defeats and victories. The project is conceived as a full-fledged training course, where s1mple personally explains the subtleties of the game, shares his own mistakes and the decisions that once brought him to the top.
Such initiatives have become almost a trend in recent years: the best players in the world are increasingly sharing their experiences directly with the community. Nevertheless, s1mple’s participation is particularly perceived here — its authority is too great. Yes, there is a lot of talk about the commercial side of the project, but I want to believe that a sincere interest in the development of the scene and a desire to leave behind something more than highlights will prevail. In the long term, such educational initiatives can raise the overall level of the game and make the Counter-Strike scene even more competitive.
But teaching others is not the only thing s1mple has devoted this time to. An equally important part of the pause was working on yourself. The constant pressure, the war, the expectations of the fans and the status of “the best in the world” accumulated over the years and, at some point, just had to stop. During the break, s1mple focused on mental health: more time with friends, chatting with streamers, and relaxing streams without tournament stress. Streaming in general has become something of a comfort zone for him — familiar, lively and honest.
Separately, it is worth noting the physical form. Many fans have noticed that s1mple has noticeably changed in appearance. He himself has repeatedly stressed that physical condition directly affects concentration and stability. Working on the body was another step towards balance, the one that was so lacking at the height of his career. All this speaks to growing up and rethinking priorities. s1mple is clearly preparing for the future, and not just “waiting for an offer.”
So when should I expect to return?
s1mple’s absence from the professional scene did not go unnoticed. Fans continue to review his best matches, recall legendary clutches and ask the same question: when? During the PGL Major Copenhagen, s1mple was officially announced as the sixth Natus Vincere player — reserve. Technically, he was with the team, but he never logged on to the server. The reason is simple: Na’vi performed so confidently that replacements were simply not needed.
For the fans, it was a moment with double emotions. On the one hand, there is joy for the team’s victory, on the other — disappointment due to the absence of s1mple on the big stage. The major was followed by a short, almost anecdotal lease period with Team Falcons. It was there that s1mple played his first and, as it turned out later, his last official match for the team. This episode only increased expectations, but a full-fledged return never happened.
After Na’VI’s victory at the major, s1mple himself made it clear that his plans had changed. He cautiously hinted that much would depend on financial conditions and which team could be built around him. And it’s not just about money. For a player of this level, everything is important — structure, roles, atmosphere, trust. Without this, even a star of the s1mple scale will not be able to realize its potential by 100%.
What’s stopping him now?
In addition to searching for a suitable project, s1mple is actively developing its media presence. He understands perfectly well that modern Counter-Strike is not only about tournaments, but also about content. Streams, videos, debriefings, communication with fans — all this has become an important part of his life. Twitch and YouTube are a way for him to stay in the game, even when he’s outside the pro scene.
Social media also remains in the focus of attention. s1mple regularly interacts with fans, responds to comments, and shares thoughts. This contact has always been important to him — he is aware of the impact he can have on the community. Moreover, he is increasingly talking about his desire to participate in charitable and social initiatives, using his popularity for good.
This approach shows that s1mple is looking at a broader career than before. It is no longer limited to the framework of “player — tournaments — titles”. He is interested in heritage, contribution to the development of the scene and influence on people. That is why the expectation of his return does not weaken. Even when off-servers, s1mple remains one of the key figures in the world of Counter-Strike.
And perhaps the most important thing is that when he does return, it won’t just be another comeback. It’s going to be an event. Because s1mple is not just about shooting and statistics. It’s about emotions, character, and that spark that can’t be replaced.
