One of Counter-Strike’s most iconic partnerships has come to a close.
dev1ce has officially departed Astralis, marking the end of a relationship that shaped not just a team, but an entire era of professional Counter-Strike. For fans across Europe and North America, this is the symbolic closing chapter of the most dominant dynasty the game has ever seen.
Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz joined Astralis in 2016, back when the organisation was still forming its identity in CS:GO. What followed was unprecedented.
As Astralis’ primary AWPer, dev1ce became the embodiment of consistency. He wasn’t the flashiest sniper in the server, but he was relentlessly efficient — rarely missing crucial shots, rarely collapsing under pressure. That reliability became the backbone of Astralis’ system-heavy, utility-perfect style that would later redefine professional Counter-Strike.
Between 2017 and 2019, Astralis, with dev1ce at the centre, achieved what many believed impossible:
- Four Major titles (ELEAGUE Atlanta 2017, FACEIT London 2018, IEM Katowice 2019, StarLadder Berlin 2019)
- Three consecutive Major wins, a record still untouched
- Multiple Intel Grand Slam victories
- A reign widely regarded as the greatest peak in CS history
During this period, dev1ce was consistently ranked among the top 5 players in the world, earning four HLTV Top 5 finishes without ever dropping out of elite contention.
Astralis’ Player-Owned Legacy: Built, Not Bought
What made Astralis unique was its structure. Astralis emerged as a player-owned organisation, founded by dev1ce, dupreeh, Xyp9x, and gla1ve after splitting from Team SoloMid. It was a revolutionary move at the time, designed to give players control, stability, and long-term security in an industry notorious for short careers.
That ownership model:
- Empowered players in decision-making
- Created unmatched trust and cohesion
- Allowed Astralis to prioritise longevity over short-term roster shuffles
For years, Astralis was cited as the gold standard of how esports teams should be run, especially in Europe, where player welfare and structure increasingly mattered.
dev1ce wasn’t just Astralis’ star AWPer, he was its cultural anchor
His calm demeanour balanced gla1ve’s tactical leadership. His professionalism set internal standards. Even during slumps, dev1ce remained a statistical pillar, often carrying Astralis through transitional periods as other stars rotated out.
When Astralis began to decline post-2020, dev1ce’s absence during his brief NiP stint only reinforced his value. His return was seen as a homecoming — a chance to stabilise a fractured organisation and reconnect with its identity.
But the landscape had changed.
The Exit: Why dev1ce Is Leaving Now
Astralis’ recent years have been defined by financial strain, inconsistent results, and strategic uncertainty. The player-owned structure gradually gave way to corporate pressures, cost-cutting, and roster instability.
Despite dev1ce’s individual performances remaining competitive, Astralis struggled to:
- Qualify consistently for Tier-1 CS2 events
- Rebuild a cohesive long-term roster
- Match the tactical depth of emerging European superteams
Reports suggest that dev1ce’s departure was driven by a combination of competitive stagnation and Astralis’ inability to present a clear roadmap back to elite contention.
This is not a dramatic fallout, it is a quiet, inevitable separation between a legend and a team no longer capable of supporting championship ambitions. Without dev1ce, Astralis loses more than firepower.
They lose:
- Their last living link to the Major-winning core
- A stabilising veteran presence for younger players
- Brand credibility in Tier-1 Counter-Strike discussions
For a fanbase accustomed to dominance, this departure confirms a hard truth: the Astralis era is officially over. The organization now faces a choice, rebuild patiently with new talent, or risk fading further into irrelevance in an increasingly unforgiving CS2 ecosystem.
The End of a Golden Chapter in Counter-Strike
dev1ce and Astralis were never just player and organization. They were a blueprint, proof that discipline, structure, and trust could outlast raw firepower.
For Western Counter-Strike fans, this split feels deeply personal. It marks the final dismantling of a dynasty that once defined excellence.
Where dev1ce goes next remains uncertain. What is certain is this: Counter-Strike history cannot be told without him, and it cannot be told without Astralis. But that chapter has now been closed.