"Dobby is Free": s1mple Departs NAVI for BC.Game

Ukrainian superstar Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev has officially returned to competitive CS2, and in a way no one saw coming.

After a legendary nine-year run with Natus Vincere that cemented his status as an icon of the CS scene, s1mple has joined a new roster under the banner of BC.Game, a platform known first and foremost as a crypto casino. The team's lineup has been finalised, with s1mple joining as the fourth player alongside nexa, pr1metapz, and CacaNito. The revamped squad will make its debut at the ESL Challenger League Season 50: Europe, which kicks off on August 11.

Kostyliev commented on the transfer with a touch of irony, declaring, "Dobby is free," a clear reference to his long-awaited exit from NAVI. He emphasised his desire to simply play, even if it's not at a Tier-1 level. According to s1mple, sometimes you have to join a Tier-3 team to make it back to the top—which is exactly how he classified BC.Game. In a lighthearted reply, the organisation threatened to "put him back on the bench".

What makes this move so fascinating is s1mple's own history with the organisation. He once harshly criticised BC.Game, publicly calling them a "shithole" just after a Major tournament. His decision to sign with them now is even more stunning, as rumors suggested he had offers from other, more established clubs. It seems the burning desire to compete, combined with a lack of Tier-1 opportunities, forced his hand