Biography

Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev, born on October 2, 1997, is a Ukrainian professional gamer renowned for his skills in "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" (CS:GO). Widely regarded as one of the greatest CS:GO players in history, s1mple's journey in the competitive gaming world is marked by both talent and perseverance.

s1mple's interest in gaming started at a young age. Introduced to Counter-Strike by his older brother when he was just four years old, he quickly developed a passion for the game. By the age of five, he was already playing CS:GO and joined his first professional team shortly thereafter. His family name is of Russian origin, adding to his multicultural background​​​​.

In 2014, s1mple embarked on his professional esports career with LAN DODGERS and soon after joined Hellraisers. His time with Hellraisers, however, was marred by controversies, including a temporary ban for inflammatory comments and allegations of cheating, which led to his departure from the team​​.

In 2016, s1mple moved to Los Angeles, United States, and joined Team Liquid. His time with Team Liquid was marked by significant achievements, including a semifinal finish at the MLG Major Championship: Columbus and reaching the finals of ESL One Cologne 2016. His proficiency, particularly with the AWP, a sniper rifle in CS:GO, brought him widespread recognition and accolades​​.

After his stint with Team Liquid, s1mple joined Natus Vincere (Na'Vi), further solidifying his status as an elite player. He played a pivotal role in Na'Vi's victory at ESL One: New York 2016 and earned a place in the HLTV top 20 players list​​.

s1mple's individual brilliance continued in the following years, even as Na'Vi faced challenges in securing major team achievements. He consistently demonstrated outstanding performance, earning MVP awards at various tournaments, including StarSeries and Dreamhack Marseille in 2018​​.

One of the highlights of s1mple's career came in 2021 when he and Na'Vi entered the PGL Major as the favorites and emerged victorious. Notably, they won every single map played throughout the tournament, and s1mple's remarkable performance earned him the tournament MVP title. This victory solidified s1mple's position not only as a top player in the game but also as an influential figure in esports​​.

s1mple's journey from a young gaming enthusiast to a celebrated esports athlete exemplifies dedication, skill, and the ability to overcome challenges. His impact on the CS:GO scene and esports, in general, is profound, making him a prominent and respected figure in the gaming community.