Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev has returned to competitive action as part of FaZe Clan, replacing broky on a temporary loan. He has already played at two major tournaments, showing solid individual form, but his future with the team remains uncertain. A recent post on social media platform X reignited speculation, as his remark about being in a “prison” sparked various interpretations among fans and analysts.
s1mple’s post on X raises fresh questions
On X, s1mple shared a photo with a girl, which quickly went viral. One user jokingly asked if she would be a new addition to FaZe in case s1mple stays with the team. The Ukrainian star replied:
“Unlikely to happen. Sometimes it’s hard to get out of prison.”
This comment quickly spread across the esports community, with many interpreting it as a hint at contractual complications with NAVI that could block a full transfer.
— Sasha (@s1mpleO) June 26, 2025
s1mple in FaZe: replacing broky and recent tournament results
In early May, s1mple joined FaZe as a temporary replacement for Latvian AWPer broky. During this stint, he played at IEM Dallas 2025 (9–12th place) and BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, where the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Although FaZe didn’t achieve standout results, s1mple’s individual performance was strong — posting a 1.12 rating at the Major, he showed he’s still capable of competing at the highest level after a break from play.
Why a full transfer to FaZe seems unlikely
Following s1mple’s public reply, it became clear that a permanent move to FaZe is unlikely. Several key factors contribute to this:
- High transfer cost. s1mple remains one of the most iconic players in CS history, and NAVI is unlikely to let him go without a significant financial deal.
- Active contract. Even though s1mple hasn’t played for NAVI recently, the organization may be in no rush to terminate or transfer his contract.
- FaZe’s financial limits. Despite backing from new owners, acquiring a player of s1mple’s stature would be a major investment — not only financially, but structurally as well.
“Prison” as a metaphor
s1mple’s use of the word “prison” is widely seen as a reference to contractual or legal limitations that are preventing him from making a career move. Whether he was directly referencing NAVI or other factors remains unclear, but the message was evident: staying with FaZe won’t be easy.
s1mple is back in the game and proving he can still perform at a top level. However, a long-term future with FaZe appears unlikely at this point. Possible paths include a return to NAVI, a new loan, or a transfer to another team — if the legal and financial obstacles can be resolved.
