Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev, the most decorated player in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive history is in the spotlight once again. This time for his sweeping statement that his prowess in FPS games is unmatched. Such is his confidence that he even theorises being the best in any game of his choosing, specifically the likes of Warzone and Call of Duty .
This bold assertion may actually hold water. S1mple, during his gaming journey, has been recognized as the undisputed Counter-Strike king. His domination of the CS:GO scene during its glorious decade as an esport is testament to this fact. Even in 2023, when CS2 took the reins from CS:GO, he proved himself as a formidable player.
Although he chose to step back from competitive play after the launch of CS2, his love for the game remains unaltered. He still spends time running the lanes in CS2 when streaming for his followers. He also experiments with other first-person shooter games, such as Warzone, keeping his skills sharp and diverse.
In a conversation with journalist and content creator Duncan ‘Thorin’ Shields for his Reflections interview series, S1mple put forth his belief. He proclaimed that his expertise with FPS games could convert to unparalleled success in other games, particularly Warzone, given time and dedication.
S1mple’s Mastery Transcends across FPS Games
The conversation took an interesting turn when Thorin questioned if Niko ‘Niko‘ Kovac could ever surpass S1mple as the GOAT of CS:GO, especially considering Niko's choice of weapon. Unlike S1mple who rules the league with the mighty AWP, Niko's weapon of choice is a rifle.
Laying this speculation to rest, S1mple confidently stated that the absence of the AWP wouldn't change his status. His unique ability and skill set in FPS games, which he describes as his “power”, would earn him the title irrespective of the gun he used. His faith in his ability doesn't waver even in the face of possible alterations to the game's dynamics.
'I know my power', he proclaimed. He expressed that his deep understanding of gaming mechanics sets him apart. He believes that this knowledge would enable him to cause significant damage in any FPS battlefield, Warzone being no exception.
The Fundamentals of S1mple’s FPS Success
He talks about game awareness being the key to success. According to S1mple, for any CS player to excel; understanding the mechanics of the game, anticipating opponents, and positioning one's crosshairs strategically are essential.
Contrary to some criticism regarding his crosshair positioning, S1mple asserted that the placement is a trivial concern for an experienced player like him. He justifies this by stating that when he perceives no immediate threat, he can allocate his concentration more towards the game’s radar.
This strategy allows him to plan his actions and movements accordingly. The physical position of the weapon, then, becomes a secondary concern. Instead, the game's map informs his decisions, enabling him to navigate skillfully through the gameplay.
Currently, S1mple has no intentions of shifting to a professional career in another game. Even though he is not an active participant in competitive e-sports currently, his love for Counter-Strike reigns supreme. He continues to nurture this passion by committing to an undisclosed project related to Counter-Strike. However, any speculation of his transition to Call of Duty should not be dismissed prematurely. Given his past record and confidence in his abilities, such a move could further bolster his already impressive e-sports legacy.