In a recent interview, Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev shared his thoughts on joining a new team, his relationships with teammates, and his past conflict with EliGE. His words shed light on the internal dynamics of FaZe, especially ahead of two upcoming tournaments.
A New Chapter in s1mple’s Career
After many years with NAVI, s1mple unexpectedly joined FaZe Clan as a stand-in for two tournaments. This move marks a fresh chapter in his career, full of new challenges and opportunities. His enthusiasm is clear:
“I like my teammates — I like everything. Some people say it’s because the team is older, but I’ve wanted to play with these guys for a long time, especially with rain.”
Relationships with New Teammates
s1mple praised the atmosphere within the team and emphasized that playing alongside legends like karrigan, rain, and frozen had been a long-time goal. He expressed a particular admiration for rain, someone he’s wanted to team up with for years:
“I’ve wanted to play with karrigan and rain for a very long time, especially with rain.”
This shows not just mutual respect, but real excitement about the opportunity to share the server with experienced players he looks up to.
Conflict with EliGE: The Past Won’t Be a Problem
Regarding EliGE, with whom s1mple previously played, he acknowledged a past conflict — and openly took some of the blame for it:
“Yes, we had a conflict. I was very toxic back then, and when he tilted, he just shut down. Of course, he didn’t like my attitude.”
However, s1mple made it clear that this won’t be an issue now, especially given the short-term nature of their partnership:
“We’re only playing two tournaments, so I won’t even have time to get mad at him like in the good old days.”
Shared Goals and Positive Mindset
Despite the temporary nature of this lineup, s1mple and FaZe are taking things seriously. The team isn’t here just to “fill in time” — they want to compete for top placements. With their combined experience, individual skill, and internal motivation, FaZe has all the ingredients for success. s1mple approaches this stint with energy and hunger — not just to stay active, but to chase meaningful results. His presence boosts the team both in terms of firepower and mentality. If they manage to find synergy and adapt quickly to one another, this short-term roster might become one of the most exciting stories of the season.
Community Reaction
s1mple’s comments quickly sparked reactions across social media. Many fans welcomed his self-reflection and maturity — a side of s1mple that has become more visible in recent years. His honesty about the past with EliGE stood out, with some noting it’s the first time he publicly admitted his own toxicity.
“Old toxic s1mple admitting his past? This is character growth, honestly.” — Twitter
“Imagine FaZe winning a trophy with this roster. Just let them cook.” — Reddit
“s1mple with rain and karrigan is something I’ve waited years to see.” — YouTube
The move to FaZe is a short-term experiment, but an intriguing one. For s1mple, it’s a long-awaited opportunity to play with those he respects. For the team, it’s a rare chance to strengthen their firepower before key events. Despite the risks, the atmosphere seems healthy, and s1mple appears calm and focused. Whether it brings results remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: this is a story worth following.
