“I didn’t have much time to get to know who I wanted to be as Nikolai. I was just living as dev1ce”. Astralis star on his break, Falcons rumors and new CS talent

During an exclusive interview at BetBoom Dacha, we sat down with Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz, the legendary Astralis sniper and four-time Major champion. The conversation revealed profound insights about his mental health journey, the evolving competitive landscape, and his personal transformation beyond the professional gaming identity.

— Do you consider yourself a true CS star?

— Honestly, I rarely reflect on that label. My career trajectory has brought incredible experiences and tournament victories, but celebrity status isn’t something I actively pursue. What truly matters is my ongoing passion for the game and the substantial contributions I still intend to make to the competitive scene.

— In the Astralis documentary, you mentioned taking a break to understand your identity. What did you discover?

— My early twenties involved constant travel and competition, leaving little space to develop my personal identity outside of gaming. I existed primarily as dev1ce the professional player, requiring intentional effort to uncover who Nikolai is as an individual. This period allowed me to consciously choose Counter-Strike rather than simply following the path that unfolded naturally.

— Did you seek professional support during this transition?

— Absolutely. I worked with a psychologist throughout that year, but equally valuable was reconnecting with close friends, family, and my partner. Completely stepping away from competitive play proved essential—when you’re actively competing, you’re either preparing for tournaments or participating in them, leaving minimal opportunity for personal growth work.

— As the most experienced player on this roster, does that bring additional responsibility?

— Without question. The responsibility extends significantly beyond in-game performance. Since returning to Astralis last year, I’ve shouldered greater accountability for off-server matters. This evolution feels natural given my seniority and aligns with the maturity that comes with age.

— Could you elaborate on these leadership responsibilities?

— It centers on establishing standards through personal conduct—demonstrating proper sleep schedules, professional behavior protocols, and pre-match motivation techniques. Crucially, I emphasize maintaining enjoyment despite competitive pressures, as passion remains the foundation of sustainable performance.

Professional gamers often struggle with maintaining healthy routines amidst tournament schedules. Establishing consistent sleep patterns, nutrition habits, and stress management techniques can significantly impact both performance longevity and personal wellbeing. Many players underestimate how foundational habits affect in-game decision-making and reaction times.

— Is there a noticeable generational divide in today’s professional scene?

— The landscape is undoubtedly shifting with an influx of remarkably talented young competitors. Emerging stars like m0NESY and donk demonstrate exceptional skill development at incredibly young ages. While some distinction exists between generations, Counter-Strike fundamentally transcends these demographic differences.

— What distinguishes these generations fundamentally?

— The most pronounced contrast lies in mechanical proficiency versus strategic wisdom. Younger competitors often possess superior raw aiming ability and reflexes, while veteran players contribute decision-making expertise and stage experience. Mindset differences appear minimal—every elite player has earned their position through dedication and talent.

— That iconic Stockholm Major photo captured you walking past former Astralis teammates—how did that moment feel?

— That period represented personal challenges as we maintained strong friendships despite competitive separation. Now being the sole remaining member from that legendary roster adds historical perspective, but the current focus remains on building with new teammates.

— As the last member of the “golden” roster, do you feel their absence?

— Naturally. My history with gla1ve extends back to age 13 playing CS: Source. Our core team including Xyp9x and dupreeh formed in 2013, creating something special through sustained collaboration. While I miss their camaraderie primarily as friends rather than teammates, I’m equally enthusiastic about the current roster’s potential.

— The AWP dominated CS:GO but seems less impactful in CS2—how does this affect your playstyle?

— [Chuckles] The sniper rifle has undoubtedly undergone balancing adjustments. When CS2 launched, I committed to remaining among the dedicated AWP specialists rather than transitioning to rifles purely for meta advantages. Developing personalized strategies for the updated mechanics while recognizing the weapon’s changed characteristics represents the current challenge—avoiding outdated CS:GO habits while maximizing new strategic possibilities.

— Do you view yourself as Counter-Strike’s greatest player?

— Not really…

— But you’ve won four Majors!

— In my assessment, s1mple, Sasha, maintains that position. While my trophy collection exceeds his, individual skill excellence carries significant weight—I never claimed the top individual ranking in any given year. ZywOo also demonstrates potential to reach similar heights with continued career development.

Adapting to meta shifts requires both technical adjustment and psychological flexibility. Many players struggle when their preferred weapons undergo balancing changes, but adaptation remains essential for long-term competitive relevance. The most successful professionals develop flexibility across multiple roles and weapon types.

— Your new contract extends until 2026—isn’t that exceptionally long-term?

— That would place me around 30-31 years old. Age rarely presents the primary limitation—elite athletes across traditional sports demonstrate extended career longevity. Currently at 28, I’m delivering performance metrics exceeding my peak years, making age considerations relatively unimportant in current planning.

— Rumors circulated about Falcons with zonic and Magisk attempting to acquire you—any validity?

— Speculation typically contains elements of truth, but I’m confident in my decision to remain. The current roster composition excites me—we’ve assembled what I believe represents Denmark’s strongest competitive lineup.

— What’s the current state of Danish Counter-Strike talent development?

— We’re seeing promising new players emerging, though some require additional development before tier-1 readiness. Teams like Preasy Esport show potential despite limited LAN experience. The talent pipeline appears healthy with players such as Staehr from Sprout and Buzz progressing through the competitive ranks.

— Will you maintain the AWP role throughout your career or consider role transitions?

— I’ve contemplated the sniper-IGL hybrid role. Naturally, AWP positioning provides strategic oversight that complements in-game leadership. With our current configuration, nearly everyone supports blameF’s calling responsibilities. Long-term roster stability would eliminate role change necessities.

— Reflecting on your NiP tenure—any regrets?

— None whatsoever. Embracing new challenges consistently proves beneficial—venturing beyond comfort zones represents one of life’s most valuable growth mechanisms.

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