Imagine the Counter-Strike scene exploding with excitement—two legendary players reuniting to potentially dominate the esports world. But here's where it gets controversial: what if that dream team never came to be? Let's dive into the juicy details of how Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev almost joined 100 Thieves alongside his old teammate Håvard "rain" Nygaard, and why it all unraveled despite the immense potential.
Back in December 2025, during the thrilling StarLadder Budapest Major—an elite tournament in Budapest, Hungary, where top Counter-Strike teams battle it out for glory and massive prizes—Ukrainian superstar s1mple spilled the beans. He revealed that discussions were underway for him to team up with rain at 100 Thieves, marking a possible reunion after s1mple's brief stint filling in for FaZe Clan earlier that summer. Picture this: two of the most iconic and skilled players in Counter-Strike 2 history coming together under one banner. It could have been a powerhouse lineup, locking in not just talent but also that electric synergy fans crave.
And this is the part most people miss: the move would have secured 100 Thieves with two of the game's absolute standouts, players whose reputations are built on clutch plays and unyielding skill. However, s1mple explained that the deal didn't pan out because the schedules and logistics just couldn't sync up for everyone involved. Timing, as they say, is everything in esports, and sometimes the stars don't align.
What happened next adds another layer of intrigue. 100 Thieves reportedly shifted gears and brought in Astralis' Nicolai "device" Reedtz, a Danish pro known for his sharpshooting and strategic mind (as covered in recent dust2.us reports). Meanwhile, s1mple's current squad, BC.Game, is undergoing a massive transformation. They've recently parted ways with or sidelined key players like Aleksandar "CacaNito" Kjulukoski, Nemanja "nexa" Isaković, and Luka "emi" Vuković (as noted on HLTV.org), all in an effort to build a top-tier lineup worthy of a superstar like s1mple.
Speaking of s1mple, he's reportedly the highest-paid CS2 player out there, earning around $130,000 a month at BC.Game (according to Ukrainian publications and dust2.us). This raises a provocative question: Could the allure of playing with rain have tempted him to ditch that lucrative deal? It's a classic case of passion versus pay—does the chance to reunite with a trusted teammate outweigh financial security? Some might argue that true esports legends prioritize the thrill of competition over cash, but others point out that stability and earnings are crucial in such a demanding field.
This whole saga sparks debate: Was 100 Thieves right to pivot to device, or did they miss out on a golden opportunity? And for s1mple, was staying loyal to BC.Game the smart move, or should he have chased the reunion? What do you think—would s1mple and rain have been unstoppable together, or was the timing issue a blessing in disguise? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree with s1mple's choices or see this as a controversial turning point in CS2 history!
