s1mple

Real Name- Oleksandr Olehovych Kostyliev (s1mple) born 2 October 1997, better known as s1mple, is a Ukrainian professional Counter-Strike 2 player for Natus Vincere. He is considered to be one of the best players in Counter-Strike history.

Early life

Oleksandr Kostyliev, widely known by his in-game alias s1mple, was born on October 2, 1997, in Kyiv, Ukraine. He developed an interest in video games at a young age, thanks to his older brother who introduced him to Counter-Strike 1.6. His talent became evident quickly, and he transitioned to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) in 2012 when the game was released. Despite growing up in a modest household, his dedication to the game and raw skill set him apart from others in the local and online scenes.

Career

S1mple’s professional career began in 2013, when he joined LAN DODGERS, and later moved to HellRaisers in 2014. Early in his career, he gained attention not just for his extraordinary skill but also for his controversial and often brash personality.

In 2016, after a stint with FlipSid3 Tactics, he joined Team Liquid, marking his first time playing for a North American organization. His time with Liquid was notable for their run to the ESL One Cologne 2016 Grand Final, but s1mple eventually returned to Europe.

Later that year, he signed with Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) — the organization where he became a legend. Since joining Na’Vi in 2016, s1mple has been the team’s centerpiece, driving their success for years across multiple rosters.

Notable achievements​

• 1× Major Champion: PGL Stockholm Major 2021
• HLTV’s #1 Player of the Year: 2018, 2021
• HLTV’s Top 20 Player: Multiple years (consistently since 2016)
• Intel Grand Slam Season 3 Champion (2021 with Na’Vi)
• Most HLTV MVP Awards in History (20+ as of 2024)
• MVP at countless top-tier events: IEM Cologne, BLAST, ESL Pro League, etc.
• Widely regarded as the most mechanically gifted CS:GO player in history. Reff – Wikipedia

Growth

Early in his career, s1mple was known for being temperamental and sometimes difficult to work with. However, over time, he matured both personally and professionally. His development into a team player and leader at Na’Vi is often cited as one of the most impressive growth arcs in esports.

He transformed from a flashy, inconsistent prodigy into a consistent, all-rounded competitor with elite game sense, unparalleled aim, and a deep understanding of strategy.

Rankings

• HLTV Top 20 Rankings:
  • #1 – 2018, 2021
  • #2 – 2019, 2020
  • Top 10 consistently since 2016
• Often ranked as the greatest CS:GO player of all time (GOAT) by analysts, pros, and fans
• Holds several individual CS:GO records: rating, clutches, aces, etc.

Others

• Streamer & Public Figure: Active on Twitch, where he streams and interacts with fans.
• Cultural Icon in Ukraine: One of Ukraine’s most famous esports figures
• Transition to CS2: As CS:GO evolved into Counter-Strike 2, s1mple continued competing, though with some intermittent breaks due to personal and competitive reasons.
• Known for his iconic AWP and rifle plays, he is a highlight-reel machine.
• He has inspired a generation of CS players globally.