Shroud smiling to the camera during his stream.
Screenshot via Shroud on Twitch

FPL adds retired CS pros, causing controversy among younger players

We're losing to glocks all over again.

The FACEIT Pro League (FPL) has added some old faces for the release of Counter-Strike 2.

Recommended Videos

If you’re a fan of old FPL content, you’ll be thrilled to hear that names like Spencer “Hiko” Martin, Michael “shroud” Grzesiek, and Jaryd “summit1g” Lazar could be back in the old queues soon.

While many of these names aren’t exactly the competitors they once were, they’ll bring eyeballs and interest to the FPL system. With the new Counter-Strike engine and multiple gameplay updates in CS2, it seems like many streamers are feeding on the hype.

The move hasn’t come without controversy, though. Several up-and-comers and fans have pointed out that the FPL is more than a content factory; it’s a proving ground of sorts for tier-two players. The FPL isn’t the end-all-be-all of scouting, but what better way to prove yourself on a tier-one level than to play in a competitive environment with tier-one players?

Moreover, many of these older players left CS for VALORANT, and several CS hardcore fans are upset that they can just get invited back into the upper echelons of matchmaking while players who stuck with CS are left behind.

There’s more controversy, too. Matthew “Wardell” Yu, noted for his time in CS with Ghost Gaming and in VALORANT with TSM, has been accused of partying up with stream snipers and publicly lying about it. It goes without saying that high-level streamers frown on the practice, if not outright despise it. If Wardell continues those ways, he likely won’t be in the hub for long.

It’s heartening to see so many players still interested in Counter-Strike. While CS fans can get defensive about their game, there’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying multiple games, even if one is a cartoony copy of the other (looking at you, VALORANT).


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Stewie2K to make tier one CS2 debut as a stand-in at IEM Dallas
Stewie sits and fistbumps his team while playing Counter-Strike.
Read Article BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024: Schedule, results, and more
The BetBoom Dacha Belgrade logo in front of a greyed out Dust 2 background.
Read Article CS2 players reminisce about CS:GO’s ‘user-friendly’ options—and hope Valve brings them back
Outside platform of the Nuke map in Counter-Strike 2.
Related Content
Read Article Stewie2K to make tier one CS2 debut as a stand-in at IEM Dallas
Stewie sits and fistbumps his team while playing Counter-Strike.
Read Article BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024: Schedule, results, and more
The BetBoom Dacha Belgrade logo in front of a greyed out Dust 2 background.
Read Article CS2 players reminisce about CS:GO’s ‘user-friendly’ options—and hope Valve brings them back
Outside platform of the Nuke map in Counter-Strike 2.
Author
Hunter Cooke
Investigative Unit. Rainbow Six Siege, VALORANT.