A fresh name is making waves on FACEIT’s North American ladder, and not without controversy. Nocries, a player who has rocketed up the rankings in just a few months, has been invited to FACEIT’s New York headquarters to compete under strict supervision after weeks of cheating allegations.

Day 1 is behind us at our New York HQ, where we’re hosting @nocriesof after he accepted our invite.

Maidar is playing under supervision on hardware set up by our Anti-Cheat team, a chance to show his game in a fully controlled environment.

Day 2 begins today.

— FACEIT CS2 (@FACEITcs) September 24, 2025

Since the start of 2025, the relatively unknown talent has exploded onto the scene, climbing the ranks at an astonishing pace. Across 491 matches this year, nocries has averaged a 1.51 K/D ratio and a hefty 104.1 average damage per round (ADR), while boosting his ELO by 1,796 points. That climb has pushed him to the very top of the North American FACEIT ladder, where he’s now sitting on more than 4,200 ELO.

With stats like that, it’s no surprise the Counter-Strike community has been buzzing. Speculation around whether nocries was playing fair has been fuelled by countless YouTube breakdowns and reactions, with creators like ohnepixel and FURIOUSSS weighing in. The whispers got loud enough for FACEIT themselves to step in.

On September 24th, FACEIT confirmed that nocries, whose first name is Maidar, had accepted an invitation to their headquarters in New York City. The goal? To play matches on hardware configured by FACEIT’s own anti-cheat team, all under direct supervision. This gave him the chance to prove his skill in a fully controlled environment.

Over the course of four matches, nocries won three and consistently dealt more than 100 damage per round. In his victories, he also notched up more than 20 eliminations. Those numbers align with his FACEIT performance to date, suggesting his results are no fluke.

This isn’t the first time FACEIT has put a spotlight on rising stars facing accusations. Back in 2017, Estonian rifler Robin “ropz” Kool underwent the same process at FACEIT’s London HQ after his dominant FPL performances raised eyebrows. Ropz proved his legitimacy, later signed with MOUZ, and is now a Major champion.

For nocries, the parallels are clear. If FACEIT gives him the all-clear, this could be the launchpad to a professional career. Whether esports organisations come knocking next remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, he’s already cemented himself as one of North America’s most talked-about players.

The post New NA FACEIT Star Nocries Heads to HQ to Prove He’s Not Cheating appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Natus Vincere (NAVI) is on the lookout for the next wave of Counter-Strike talent, opening applications for its Junior CS2 Project Season 3. If you’re between 15 and 17, play on FACEIT, and dream of going pro, this might just be your ticket in.

Graduates from the NAVI CS2 Junior roster go on to play on the big stage with top-tier teams. Wanna join them? Applications submission for the new NAVI CS2 Junior roster is now open! pic.twitter.com/tcbMmagiGx

— NAVI (@natusvincere) August 11, 2025

The NAVI Junior programme has already kick-started the careers of several young players who’ve gone on to compete at the highest level. Most recently, Drin “Makazze” Shaqiri went from the junior squad to NAVI’s main roster, debuting at IEM Cologne 2025 where they finished in the top four. Others from past seasons are now playing for FUT Esports and other top-tier teams.

This season, NAVI’s giving fresh talent the same chance to learn from experienced coaches, get guidance from club staff, and build the skills needed for a real shot at an esports career.

The requirements

Before you get too excited, here’s what you need to qualify:

• Age: 15–17 years old
• FACEIT ELO: 3400+
• Language: Conversational English or better
• Contracts: You can’t already be signed to another club

How to apply

The process is pretty straightforward, but NAVI does ask for a fair bit of detail. You’ll need to fill out their online form here: Apply for NAVI Junior CS2.

Here’s what you’ll have to provide:

• Basic info – Full name, nickname, date of birth, and where you’re from.
• English level – Choose from Intermediate (B1) up to Proficiency (C2).
• CS experience – Your history with CS:GO or CS2, preferred in-game roles, and your current FACEIT ELO.
• Your FACEIT profile
• A video resume (yes, you’ll need to talk about yourself and your gameplay)
• Any relevant socials
• Optional: Twitch/YouTube channel and HLTV profile
• Contact details – Email and phone number.

Why it’s worth trying

Even if you don’t make the cut this time, just going through the process gives you a good idea of what top organisations look for. For those who do get in, you’re looking at hands-on coaching, the chance to train like a pro, and the possibility of following in the footsteps of NAVI Academy graduates who are now competing on the big stage.

So if you’ve got the skills, the FACEIT ELO, and the drive, now’s the time. Applications are open this could be the first step in your pro CS2 journey.

The post NAVI Junior CS2 Season 3 Now Taking Applications – Here’s How You Can Join appeared first on Shane the Gamer.