Rumours about CS2 player salaries have exploded this week, with claims that some of the biggest names in Counter-Strike could be earning eye-watering monthly paycheques.

According to Belarusian caster Konstantin “Leniniw” Sivko, players like Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev are commanding salaries that would rival top-tier athletes, though it’s important to note these figures are unverified and heavily debated.

Reported Salaries From Leniniw’s Claims

Speaking on a recent podcast and later on Telegram, Leniniw shared what he says are insider figures for several top CS2 players and staff.

The most headline-grabbing number is ZywOo, who is claimed to be earning around €100,000 per month while playing for Team Vitality. That would put him well over six figures in USD terms, making him one of the highest-paid players in the scene if accurate.

Leniniw also claimed that when s1mple was negotiating a move to BC.Game, he requested a monthly salary of $120,000. According to the caster, s1mple’s goal was to become the highest-paid Counter-Strike player in history.

Other figures mentioned include NiKo and m0NESY, who were both said to be earning roughly $70,000 per month, while NAVI coach Andrii “B1ad3” Ghorodenskyi was described as the highest-paid member within the organisation, though no exact number was given.

s1mple Responds With A Joke

Shortly after the claims began circulating, s1mple responded on Telegram with a tongue-in-cheek comment.

He joked that $120,000 per month was actually “a bit too low”, adding that many tier-one CS players already earn that amount and implying he had asked for even more.

The response didn’t confirm or deny the report, but it did add fuel to the conversation and highlight just how speculative these numbers are.

Conflicting Claims From Falcons Leadership

What makes these salary rumours even more interesting is how they clash with previous statements from Falcons management.

The organisation’s CEO had previously suggested that NiKo and m0NESY were earning somewhere between $16,000 and $32,000 per month, which is significantly lower than Leniniw’s reported $70,000 figure.

Former coach kassad publicly pushed back on those lower estimates, calling them a “blatant lie”, which only adds to the confusion around what top players are actually being paid.

How Reliable Are These Salary Leaks?

Even Leniniw himself admitted that some of the information came indirectly, in one case citing “someone who knows well-informed people” as the source.

Other figures were shared without detailed sourcing, and none of the players or organisations involved have officially confirmed the numbers.

That uncertainty has led to scepticism among fans, with many pointing out that the reported salaries seem extremely high, even by modern esports standards.

The Bigger Picture Around CS2 Salaries

While exact numbers are rarely made public, it’s widely accepted that top Counter-Strike players earn significant salaries through a mix of team contracts, tournament winnings, and sponsorship deals.

If figures like €100,000 per month are accurate, it would signal just how far the esport has grown financially, particularly with increased investment from organisations and sponsors in recent years.

At the same time, the gap between reported figures and official statements shows how opaque esports contracts still are, especially at the highest level.

For now, these CS2 salary rumours remain exactly that, rumours, but they’ve certainly sparked a fresh conversation about just how much the biggest names in Counter-Strike are really worth.

The post CS2 Salary Rumours Claim ZywOo €100K, s1mple $120K Per Month appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

BC.Game’s rebuilt Counter-Strike roster has suffered an early setback, with Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev and his new team officially missing out on IEM Rio 2026 following a last-place finish in the closed qualifier.

The international lineup, assembled around the former SAW core during the off-season, struggled to find rhythm in its first official test, bowing out after defeats to Ursa and Team Nemesis in the online qualifier.

A Rough Competitive Debut For BC.Game

BC.Game entered the IEM Rio 2026 Closed Qualifier with cautious optimism, but their campaign quickly unravelled. The team opened with a 2-0 loss to Ursa on January 21, a result that dropped them straight into the lower bracket and left no margin for error.

Their elimination match against Team Nemesis took place on January 22, ending in a narrow 2-1 defeat. BC.Game showed early promise with a convincing 13-6 win on Nuke, but momentum slipped away as Nemesis answered back on Inferno with a 13-9 victory. The deciding map on Ancient proved tight, yet Nemesis edged it 13-11 to send BC.Game out in last place.

Image via HLTV.org

s1mple Shines Despite Team Struggles

While the result was disappointing, s1mple delivered flashes of the form that made him one of Counter-Strike’s most feared players. Against Nemesis, the Ukrainian superstar posted a series-high 1.57 rating, repeatedly keeping BC.Game competitive during crucial rounds.

Image via HLTV.org

Unfortunately for BC.Game, individual brilliance was not enough to compensate for visible coordination issues across the roster, particularly in mid-round situations and late-map decision-making.

Scheduling Issues Add To Frustration

Tensions were further heightened by scheduling problems during the elimination match. Originally slated to begin at 02:00, BC.Game’s series against Nemesis did not start until 08:05, as teams were forced to wait for another broadcast match to conclude.

Shortly before the delayed start, s1mple publicly criticised the situation, voicing frustration over the extended wait and its impact on player readiness and focus.

Losing 1st game in ESL RIO Qualifers > ESL changing schedule 1 hour before next game which was supposed to start at 20:00 > and if you win game (that starts at 1:30 hopefully) – then you play another 3 bo3 within 24 hours (3 bo3 if you win every game ofc)
2k26 btw, well fucking…

— Sasha (@s1mpleO) January 22, 2026

Fnatic Also Misses Out On IEM Rio

BC.Game was not the only notable name to crash out of the qualifier. Fnatic also failed to secure a spot in IEM Rio 2026, exiting early after losses to teams that advanced from the open qualifiers.

The black-and-orange squad were first knocked into the lower bracket by KOLESIE, before being eliminated by GenOne in a close best-of-three series that went to overtime on Dust II. The result marked another setback for Fnatic following recent roster changes, including the signing of Pavle “Maden” Bošković earlier this month.

Image via HLTV.org

Focus Shifts To IEM Kraków

With IEM Rio now out of reach, BC.Game will have little time to regroup. The team is already preparing for IEM Kraków, a tournament that could prove crucial in defining their season.

BC.Game are set to face Legacy in the first round of Stage 1, where eight places in Stage 2 will be up for grabs. For s1mple and his new teammates, the pressure is already on to show rapid improvement and justify the ambitious rebuild.

IEM Rio Qualifier Continues Without Big Names

As the closed qualifier rolls on, several teams remain in contention for the final two spots at IEM Rio 2026, which runs from April 13 to 19 in Brazil. Gentle Mates, 9INE, and BetBoom Team are among those still battling for qualification.

Fans can continue following the action live on ESL’s official Twitch and YouTube channels as the field narrows and the final Rio lineup takes shape.

The post s1mple BC.Game Will Not Play At IEM Rio 2026 After Qualifier Exit appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

BC.Game have been linked to a Counter-Strike 2 transfer rumour, after the organisation claimed it had explored a possible move for the core of FaZe Clan, with reported figures close to $10 million.

We tried almost 10.000.000$ facts.

— BC Game Esports (@BCGameEsports) December 28, 2025

The claim surfaced late on December 29, when BC.Game’s official account responded to an old post from analyst Duncan “Thorin” Shields on X. The exchange suggested that BC.Game had looked into signing FaZe’s trio of karrigan, frozen, and EliGE, a move that would have shattered existing transfer benchmarks if completed.

A Deal That Never Materialised

According to BC.Game, the talks ultimately went nowhere, and the exact details remain unclear. It is not known whether the organisation was prepared to offer nearly $10 million outright, or whether FaZe Clan demanded a buyout in that range.

Either way, the numbers being discussed are staggering. A deal at that level would put the average cost at more than $3.3 million per player, easily eclipsing recent high profile moves elsewhere in the scene. By comparison, Falcons are believed to have spent under $6 million to secure m0NESY, NiKo, and kyousuke combined.

Whether BC.Game’s comment was fully serious or partly tongue in cheek remains open to interpretation, but the fact the organisation addressed it publicly has only fuelled speculation about how aggressively they are approaching the transfer market.

BC.Game’s Broader Transfer Strategy

Insiders suggest the FaZe talks were just one part of a wider push by BC.Game to acquire the core of an established, high ranked VRS team towards the end of 2025. Reports indicate the organisation also held discussions with Heroic, GamerLegion, and FUT, although none of those negotiations resulted in an agreement.

More recently, attention has shifted towards the Portuguese organisation SAW. Multiple sources, cited by HLTV.org, report that BC.Game are targeting a potential move for MUTiRiS, aragornN, and krazy, the current backbone of SAW’s lineup.

Such a move would be strategically significant. SAW are ranked inside the global top 25, meaning BC.Game would gain valuable tournament invites heading into 2026, a major boost for a roster in transition.

Why SAW’s Core Makes Sense

The timing of the interest is notable. Reports suggest SAW’s AWPer story is being linked with FlyQuest, while Ag1l is on 100 Thieves’ shortlist for their remaining roster spots. That has opened the door for discussions around selling the team’s core, something Portuguese outlet RTP Arena previously hinted at.

For BC.Game, securing the SAW trio would align with their stated goal of building an experienced, competitive lineup around Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev and Denis “electroNic” Sharipov, two of the most decorated players in Counter-Strike history.

Ongoing Roster Overhaul

BC.Game are already deep into a rebuild. The organisation has parted ways with nexa, CacaNito, and head coach emi, and is also expected to bid farewell to aNdu as changes continue. Earlier in the off season, Russian insider OverDrive claimed BC.Game had also explored signing HEROIC’s core, though those talks are believed to have collapsed.

As it stands, BC.Game’s CS2 lineup features s1mple, electroNic, and aNdu, with two roster spots yet to be filled.

A Statement of Intent

While the attempted move for FaZe’s core never came to fruition, the reported $10 million figure sends a clear message. BC.Game are prepared to spend big to fast track themselves into contention at the highest level of CS2.

Whether that ambition results in a deal for SAW’s Portuguese trio, or another surprise target entirely, one thing is clear, BC.Game are positioning themselves as one of the most aggressive players in the transfer market heading into 2026.

The post BC.Game Linked to Massive $10 Million Attempt to Sign FaZe Clan Core appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

BIG Dominate the Qualifier

Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev’s trip to India has officially been cancelled, not by choice, but by defeat. BIG swept BC.Game 2–0 in the European qualifiers for Skyesports Chennai 2025, sending the German squad to the $49,000 LAN while s1mple and Denis “electroNic” Sharipov’s new lineup were sent packing.

Overpass ended 13–4, Mirage finished 13–5, and the scoreboard told the story. Gleb “gr1ks” Gazin dropped 38 kills in total, topping the server with a 1.66 HLTV rating and outshining every BC.Game player by a mile.

BIG hand BCGame their first defeat since the arrival of electroNic 🤕 pic.twitter.com/RSWa7cPu0b

— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) October 22, 2025

Meanwhile, s1mple and electroNic struggled to make any impact. The duo finished with negative K/Ds as their team fell apart under pressure, closing out their short-lived qualifier run in brutal fashion.

Image via HLTV.org

A New Chapter for BIG

This result marks a much-needed turnaround for BIG, who had fallen as low as 48th in the world rankings after parting ways with Karim “Krimbo” Moussa and promoting academy graduate Lukas “FreeZe” Hegmann to team captain.

The shake-up seems to be paying off. BIG now join Mousquetaires, True Thunder, Nemesis SEA, and two Indian qualifiers at Skyesports Chennai, the event set to take place in November.

It’s also the team’s first online qualifier win in nearly five years, and their most convincing performance since 2020.

Did BC.Game “Throw” To Avoid India?

After the loss, fans flooded HLTV threads with theories that BC.Game intentionally lost to dodge the trip to India. “Mission not to go to India completed,” one user joked, while another pointed out that “s1mple makes more in a month than the whole event’s prize pool.”

Others blamed poor form and preparation, noting that the roster barely scraped through earlier rounds and nearly dropped a Bo3 to Kazakh side NOVAQ after trailing 2–10.

Still, the speculation didn’t stop, with fans poking fun at s1mple’s alleged “vacation mindset.”

BIG’s Post-Match Trolling

Adding insult to injury, BIG took to X (formerly Twitter) to troll s1mple, referencing his recent obsession with Dota 2 instead of CS2 practice. The post quickly went viral, turning a routine qualifier win into a full-blown community moment.

s1mple rn pic.twitter.com/GW7oOZtLxH

— BIG (@BIGCLANgg) October 22, 2025

For BIG, it’s a refreshing change of pace. After years of mid-tier finishes, they’re finally the ones dishing out the jokes instead of receiving them.

Skyesports’ Controversial Return

Skyesports Chennai Esports Global Championship 2025 (CEGC) is a smaller replacement for the cancelled Skyesports Masters, backed by the Tamil Nadu government to revive India’s esports scene.

However, Skyesports has faced heavy criticism over multiple event cancellations, including BetBoom’s withdrawal from the 2024 Championship and the suspension of their entire 2026 tier-one calendar.

With just six participating teams and a modest prize pool, many pros view the Chennai event as low-stakes, but for BIG, it’s an opportunity to regain footing and rack up valuable VRS points.

What’s Next

BIG will face Mousquetaires in the European qualifier grand final before flying to Chennai for the LAN.

Meanwhile, BC.Game and its superstar duo now face a difficult question: can s1mple’s new project actually work, or will his return to Counter-Strike end up being another short-lived experiment?

The post s1mple’s Not Going to India – BIG Crush BC.Game to Take the Spot Instead appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A Major Move for BC.Game

BC.Game Esports have officially signed Denis “electroNic” Sharipov from Virtus.pro, reuniting the Russian rifler with long-time teammate Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev. The announcement came through a short teaser clip on BC.Game’s official X account, featuring electroNic’s reveal with the caption, “Calm down everyone, we are still cooking.”

Calm down everyone we are still cooking

Welcome to BC Game Esports, @electronicCSGO pic.twitter.com/wMs6UK39l9

— BC Game Esports (@BCGameEsports) October 18, 2025

The transfer brings BC.Game’s roster back to full strength after German player Luca “pr1metapz” Voigt was benched earlier this month. This signing marks the latest in a series of big moves for the rapidly growing organisation, who recently made headlines after lifting their first Counter-Strike 2 trophy with s1mple leading the charge, a story we covered in S1mple Finally Back on Top as BC.Game Lift First CS2 Trophy.

The Dream Duo Returns

Fans across the Counter-Strike community are calling this a dream reunion. electroNic and s1mple spent nearly six years together on Natus Vincere from 2017 to 2023, forming one of the most dominant duos in CS:GO history. During their time together, Na’Vi captured several major titles including:

• PGL Major Stockholm 2021
• IEM Katowice 2020
• ESL One Cologne 2018 and 2021

Their partnership ended when Na’Vi transitioned to an international roster, leading electroNic to join Cloud9. However, that chapter of his career was marred by roster instability and disappointing results.

A Tough Stretch and a New Beginning

After a difficult spell on Cloud9 and later Virtus.pro, electroNic’s career seemed to lose direction. His attempt at in-game leading didn’t yield success, and after Dzhami “Jame” Ali’s departure from Virtus.pro earlier this year, electroNic found himself back in the captain’s seat, a role he reportedly didn’t enjoy.

That period came to an end when Virtus.pro benched him following their early exit from BLAST Open London, a move first covered in Virtus.pro Bench electroNic After BLAST Open London Exit. By August 2025, he was officially inactive, sitting out for two months before BC.Game swooped in to bring him back to top-tier play.

Now, with the leadership responsibilities lifted and the chance to reunite with s1mple, the 27-year-old could be on track to rediscover his peak form.

The Current BC.Game Lineup

Following electroNic’s arrival, BC.Game’s active roster is now:

• 🇷🇸 Nemanja “nexa” Isaković
• 🇲🇰 Aleksandar “CacaNito” Kjulukoski
• 🇺🇦 Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev
• 🇪🇪 Andreas “aNdu” Maasing
• 🇷🇺 Denis “electroNic” Sharipov
• 🇷🇸 Luka “emi” Vuković (coach)

Benched players:

• 🇳🇴 Joakim “jkaem” Myrbostad
• 🇩🇪 Luca “pr1metapz” Voigt

With nexa steering the ship as in-game leader and s1mple returning to his star role, electroNic’s addition could complete one of the most mechanically gifted lineups in the CS2 scene right now.

The Community Reacts

The Counter-Strike community quickly lit up with reactions following the reveal. “Dream duo is back,” one fan wrote, while others debated whether electroNic would once again take the IGL role, something most fans hope he avoids.

Others expressed excitement but also concern over BC.Game’s ties to gambling sponsorships, reigniting a larger conversation about the ethics of gambling-funded esports teams. Still, from a competitive standpoint, the move has undeniably captured attention.

What’s Next for BC.Game?

With both s1mple and electroNic back together, BC.Game are shaping up to be a serious threat on the international CS2 circuit. The team’s chemistry, firepower, and coaching depth could make them one of the most exciting squads to watch heading into the final months of 2025.

And for fans nostalgic for the golden Na’Vi era, this reunion feels like a second chance at magic, only this time, under a new banner.

The post electroNic Reunites with s1mple as BC.Game Esports Locks in Star Signing appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The Counter-Strike 2 scene is heating up again, and this time, the spotlight shifts to India. Skyesports has confirmed that Valve has reviewed and approved their compliance submission for the Chennai Esports Global Championship (CEGC) 2025, locking in the event’s schedule and regional qualifiers. With a $50,000 prize pool on the line, some of the biggest names in European Counter-Strike are preparing to compete for a spot in the Chennai LAN.

And yes, there’s a real chance that Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev could make his long-awaited debut on Indian soil.

Europe Qualifiers: The Battle for Chennai

The Europe Qualifiers for the CEGC 2025 will run from October 21–23, bringing together some of the top-tier CS2 squads across the region. Teams in the mix include BC.Game, FUT Esports, Eternal Fire, BIG, GENONE, QUAZAR, X44, AAB Esports, Mousquetaires, Premedsant, AM Gaming, NOVAQ, Washington, Jumbo, ForevRegless, and Illwill.

The top two teams will earn their ticket to the Chennai LAN finals, taking place from November 7–9 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Tamil Nadu, India.

Europe, assemble! 🌍🔥

The best CS2 teams from across the continent are heading to Chennai for the Chennai Esports Global Championship 2025! 🇮🇳

Europe Qualifiers: October 21–23
CS2 LAN Finals: November 7–9
📍 Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai

Witness Europe’s finest… pic.twitter.com/we3hwwkSRo

— Skyesports (@skyesportsintl) October 17, 2025

Skyesports’ announcement confirmed that Valve has allowed some flexibility around registration timelines but otherwise greenlit the original event schedule.

“We appreciate everyone’s understanding and continued support,” said the tournament organisers, noting that the show will go on exactly as planned.

$50,000 Prize Pool and Global Competition

The Chennai Esports Global Championship will feature the best from Europe, SEA, and India, each sending their top two teams to the finals. The prize pool breakdown includes:

• 🥇 $30,000 for first place
• 🥈 $15,000 for second
• 🥉 $4,000 for third
• ⭐ $1,000 MVP award

With international representation and a hefty payout, this event aims to elevate India’s place in the global esports spotlight.

S1mple’s Indian Debut? Fans Are Hyped

The internet has been buzzing ever since BC.Game’s inclusion in the European qualifiers was confirmed. Fans couldn’t contain their excitement at the thought of s1mple, one of Counter-Strike’s greatest players, potentially competing in India for the first time.

“S1mple coming to India wasn’t on my 2025 bingo list,” one fan posted.
“Where can I buy tickets for this?” another asked on X.

BC.Game recently lifted their first CS2 trophy at the ESL Challenger League Season 50 Cup 2, ending s1mple’s three-year title drought. The victory marked a huge moment for the Ukrainian star’s comeback, you can read more about that in S1mple Finally Back on Top as BC.Game Lift First CS2 Trophy.

If BC.Game manage to finish in the top two during the EU qualifiers, fans can expect to see s1mple and his team fly to Chennai this November.

A Global Stage in Chennai

The CEGC 2025 marks one of the biggest Counter-Strike events ever held in India, bringing together global talent and passionate local fans. The mix of international squads and homegrown teams promises a truly electric atmosphere.

“Global teams, Indian stage, one championship,” Skyesports teased on social media — and they couldn’t have said it better.

With teams like BIG, Eternal Fire, and BC.Game all vying for their spot, the stage is set for a fierce qualifier. The question now is simple: can s1mple and BC.Game carry their hot form from Europe to the heart of Chennai?

The post S1mple Could Be Headed to India for the Chennai Esports Global Championship 2025 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

FURIA Esports made headlines this year after finally breaking their curse and lifting their first-ever Big Event trophy at FISSURE Playground 2. But as it turns out, the Brazilian organisation came close to signing an even bigger name before their breakthrough.

Head coach Sidnei “sidde” Macedo has revealed that Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, widely considered the greatest Counter-Strike player of all time, was on their shortlist before they decided to bring in Kazakh sniper Danil “molodoy” Golubenko.

“We considered s1mple, when he was on NAVI’s bench. Between molodoy and s1mple I chose the former, although he wasn’t a cheap purchase either,” sidde explained in an interview with BLAST.

At the time, s1mple was still trying to find his footing after leaving Natus Vincere. His later stint with FaZe Clan showed far stronger form compared to his brief run with Team Falcons. These days, the Ukrainian star is competing in the tier-2 scene with BC.Game, where he recently secured his first tournament victory in over three years and is now chasing qualification for the ESL Pro League.

molodoy explains why he chose FURIA

Molodoy’s signing in April 2025 caught many by surprise, but the 20-year-old quickly proved his value, helping FURIA secure their long-awaited title in Belgrade. Speaking with Escorenews, he explained why he chose the Brazilian squad over other offers.

“I thought hard about it, because I had a lot of offers. I chose FURIA, primarily because I knew that FalleN was there. And when we discussed the contract, they told me they’d get another person from the CIS who would help me,” molodoy said. “In life you need to go through stages when you get out of your comfort zone and improve. That’s why I chose FURIA, and I think I made the right choice.”

The move wasn’t without its challenges. Molodoy admitted that his English was “an absolute zero” when he first joined, but he has since made significant progress. Despite the language barrier, he says the team’s veteran core, including FalleN, YEKINDAR, KSCERATO and yuurih, have been invaluable in helping him adapt both inside and outside the server.

A bold decision pays off

FURIA’s gamble to sign molodoy instead of s1mple looks to have paid off. The team finally broke their eight-year drought at a Big Event, edging out The MongolZ in a marathon five-map grand final that lasted nearly six hours in Belgrade.

While many fans will wonder what FURIA might have looked like with s1mple in the line-up, the organisation’s bold call to trust in fresh talent has already rewritten their history.

The post FURIA Coach Reveals s1mple Was Considered Before Signing molodoy appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev has ended his three-year trophy drought, guiding BC.Game to their maiden Counter-Strike 2 title at ESL Challenger League Season 50 Cup 2. The squad pulled off a thrilling reverse sweep over Alliance in the grand final to pocket $12,000 and secure a spot in the ECL Europe Finals this November.

The victory was more than just another win. It marked s1mple’s first championship since June 2022, when he lifted the BLAST Premier Spring Finals with NAVI back in CS:GO. Since then, the Ukrainian superstar endured a dry spell, including a year-long break from competitive play before joining BC.Game in July 2025.

WE ARE YOUR ESL CHALLENGER LEAGUE CUP 2 CHAMPIONS!! 🏆#BCGAME pic.twitter.com/Bn9dvDQuTl

— BC Game Esports (@BCGameEsports) September 23, 2025

Revenge Served Cold

BC.Game’s road to the title wasn’t easy. They cruised past Sashi, OG, and ESC twice to reach the decider, only to fall to Alliance in the upper bracket final. In the grand final rematch, Alliance struck first with a 13-8 victory on Ancient, thanks to standout rounds from Simon “twist” Eliasson and Alex “poiii” Sundgren.

But the comeback started on Inferno. Down 1-4 on the CT side, s1mple’s AWP work at the A site sparked life into the team, with Nemanja “nexa” Isaković and Andreas “aNdu” Maasing stepping up as well. A clutch hold from aNdu shifted the momentum, before he and Aleksandar “CacaNito” Kjulukoski carried BC.Game across the finish line to tie the series.

Dust2 sealed the deal. Alliance only managed a handful of rounds as BC.Game’s game plan came together. CacaNito’s relentless entries and sharp aim powered his side to a dominant 13-6 win, closing the series 2-1.

Image via HLTV.org

A Statement Win

For BC.Game, this was more than just a cup victory. The organisation signed s1mple and aNdu in July, hoping the additions could push them into contention. Now, just two months later, they’ve not only earned their first title but also qualified for the ECL Europe Season 50 Finals, where a spot at ESL Pro League Season 23 is on the line.

It also silences some of the criticism aimed at s1mple earlier in the event, after he voiced frustration at the quality of tier-two competition. While he didn’t top the scoreboard in the final, posting a 1.13 rating across the three maps, his impact was undeniable in key rounds that swung the series.

Big Money Moves

Off the server, speculation continues around s1mple’s blockbuster signing. Ukrainian outlet PlayersUA reported that BC.Game paid NAVI a $500,000 buyout and that s1mple now earns around $130,000 per month, making him the highest-paid CS2 player in the world. Neither BC.Game nor NAVI have confirmed the figures, but with gambling companies investing heavily into Counter-Strike, the numbers don’t sound far-fetched.

What’s certain is that BC.Game’s gamble on s1mple is already paying off. With his first CS2 trophy secured and the team building momentum, the stage is set for a fiery run in the November finals.

The post S1mple Finally Back on Top as BC.Game Lift First CS2 Trophy appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

ESC have been riding a wave of attention after lifting the CCT Season 3 Europe Series 6 trophy, but their hot streak has quickly been overshadowed by controversy and a crushing loss at the hands of Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev.

Image via HLTV.org

The Polish squad looked unstoppable over the past week, claiming their 13th consecutive series win by defeating BetBoom in the CCT final. Dawid “SaMey” Stańczak and his teammates delivered one of their best runs yet, climbing to 33rd in the VRS rankings with wins over the likes of 9INE, FUT, and fnatic. Bartosz “moonwalk” Mikołajczyk was the standout in the final, posting a 1.35 rating and leading ESC to a hard-fought 2–1 victory.

Image via HLTV.org

Radar Hack Allegations Emerge

Not long after the celebrations, questions began to surface. Russian player Kirill “Magnojez” Rodnov highlighted several suspicious moments from ESC’s matches against BetBoom and TNL, sharing clips on his Telegram channel. CS2 News later posted the videos on Twitter, sparking debate across the community about whether ESC were using radar hacks.

🧐 Is ESC radarhackers or not?

Magnojez after grand-final of CCT against polish team went to check demos and recorded some suspicious ESC’s moment against BB Team and TNL.

🤔 What do you think about it? (1/2) pic.twitter.com/3FcJ1qlezv

— CS2 NEWS (@CS2News_EN) September 22, 2025

You can see the clips for yourself on social media, where opinions have been split. Some, like former NAVI star s1mple, threw shade by tweeting support for BIG to “escape possible radar hackers.” Others in the scene were quick to dismiss the claims, pointing out that the plays in question could be explained by standard rotations and reads.

Patryk “olimp” Woźniak of ESC hit back at the accusations, calling them “cringe” and urging people to stop jumping to conclusions whenever a team wins.

Win match?=RADAR
Lose?=MATCHFIX

So cringe and fucked up, let someone watch demo and post something suspicious, not always the same shit that proves nothing. Thanks to everyone for the kind comments and for keeping your fingers crossed for ESC, let’s go =)

ggwp BIG/BC.Game pic.twitter.com/vQuFX09Afv

— olimp (@olimpxDD) September 22, 2025

s1mple Ends the Streak

As the controversy brewed, ESC’s winning streak came to an abrupt end. Facing BC.Game in the ESL Challenger League Season 50 Cup 2 lower bracket final, they ran into a fired-up s1mple.

ESC turning off the radar after seeing s1mple tweet about them pic.twitter.com/pa087Hj3fM

— 8Bitbanana (@8BitBanana__) September 22, 2025

The Ukrainian legend delivered a vintage performance, dropping a monster 43–20 scoreline with a 1.81 rating to sweep ESC aside 2–0. The loss ended ESC’s 14-series streak, which stretched back to September 14.

What’s Next for ESC?

The timing of the allegations has only fuelled the conversation, with critics pointing to ESC’s sudden rise and dominant form. Still, many in the scene argue the radar hack accusations lack substance, and until proven otherwise, ESC’s CCT title stands as a genuine achievement.

For now, ESC remain in the spotlight, both for their rapid climb up the ranks and for the storm of suspicion swirling around them. Whether the team can shake off the noise and continue their momentum will be one of the storylines to watch as the CS2 season rolls on.

The post ESC Face Radar Hack Allegations After CCT Triumph and Loss to s1mple’s BC.Game appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev’s highly-anticipated return to top-level Counter-Strike has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. The CS:GO legend, now testing his skills in CS2 with BC.Game, made it all the way to the Grand Final of Exort The Proving Grounds Season 3. But despite flashes of brilliance, his debut tournament ended in a double-overtime defeat to BetBoom Team.

A mixed start with BC.Game

S1mple’s run with BC.Game had its ups and downs right from the opening match. He started slow against CYBERSHOKE, finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard, though the team managed a reverse-sweep to stay alive. From there, his form spiked and dipped: a huge 1.53 rating carried them past Spirit Academy, before a nightmare performance against Partizan saw BC.Game pushed to the edge.

When it mattered most, though, s1mple showed up. Wins over ARCRED, ENCE, and another clean sweep against Spirit Academy put him firmly back on top of the scoreboards. His quarterfinal against Spirit Academy was vintage s1mple, posting a massive 1.71 rating. That form continued into the semis, where BC.Game swept OG 2–0 to punch their ticket to the Grand Final.

Image via HLTV.org

Familiar faces in the Grand Final

The final itself carried extra weight. On the other side of the server was BetBoom, led by Kirill “Boombl4” Mikhaylov, s1mple’s former NAVI teammate. Their recent history wasn’t pretty either, BC.Game had already been knocked down by BetBoom in the ESL Challenger League qualifiers earlier this month.

BetBoom came out swinging on Mirage, BC.Game’s pick, locking it down 13–4. S1mple still managed a respectable 94.5 ADR and a 1.12 rating, but it wasn’t enough to stop the bleed.

The real drama came on Nuke. Both teams refused to budge in regulation, trading rounds until the game pushed to double overtime. S1mple produced some classic highlight moments to keep BC.Game in the fight, but BetBoom finally closed it out 19–16, taking the series 2–0.

Image via HLTV.org

Numbers behind the story

Despite the loss, s1mple still put up the highest rating on his team across the final (1.17 with a +2 K-D). He also led the entire server in opening duels with a ridiculous 13–2 record, showing that even after a long break, his impact is still undeniable.

Across the whole event, s1mple finished with a 1.22 rating over 17 maps, more than any other player in the top seven of the tournament rankings. That workload, paired with HLTV’s new 3.0 ranking system, makes his numbers harder to judge, but it’s clear he was a driving force behind BC.Game’s Grand Final run.

The best individual on the day, though, was BetBoom’s Kirill “Magnojez” Rodnov, who dropped 53 kills and 32 deaths in the final with a monstrous 1.55 rating.

What’s next?

BC.Game won’t have long to dwell on the loss. The squad is still grinding through qualifiers for ESL Challenger League Season 50, where they’ll clash with OG on 26 August at 19:00 CEST. And with s1mple already making his mark in his very first event, fans will be eager to see whether the GOAT can settle in and return to his dominant best.

The post S1mple’s First Final with BC.Game Ends in Grand Final Heartbreak appeared first on Shane the Gamer.