NiP reportedly starting over with CS2 roster overhaul, what’s next?

According to new reports, Swedish esports organization NiP is undertaking a massive roster overhaul in the hopes that it will be able to end its rough patch and become successful again.

The Ninja in Pyjamas organization formed in 2000, and saw almost imemdaite success with major championship victories in the original Counter-Strike. After a dormant period, the team was recharged in 2005 and the organization went on to achieve more success and signed with multiple sponsors to fuel it into the future.

Even though NiP hasn’t had much success recently it’s still known for the famous 87-0 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive winning streak and additional major glory in that game. It looks like NiP is looking to shake things up and change its direction now in the hopes of one day finding major success in Counter-Strike 2 as well. Reports suggest that the organization is getting a massive roster overhaul towards this end.

Why is NiP starting from scratch with its CS2 roster?

NiP hasn’t seen any significant wins since the 2017 IEM Oakland event, and it’s likely the organization is trying to change things up with its CS2 roster for a chance to become successful once again.

One of the most recent significant losses faced by NIP was at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 Europe RMR. In a match against Team Spirit, NIP was eliminated while its opponent qualified for a deeper run into the Major.

This is becoming more of a pattern for the organization that once dominated the Counter-Strike scene. Fans are left disheartened by NiP’s continued downfall, hoping that the organization makes changes to return to its former successes.

If the reports are true and Ninja in Pyjamas is trying to change its direction, the organization will need to play its cards right and set up a good roster.

Who is joining NiP’s new CS2 roster?

An industry insider has reported that NiP is expected to add four new players to its roster.

In a tweet on X, Guillaume “neL” Rathier shared with fans that according to his sources, NiP is “planning to start from scratch once again and in a new direction.” He elaborated that the organization’s roster will see a complete overhaul. The industry insider said that the only player to stay on the roster is Artem “⁠r1nkle⁠” Moroz.

neL explained that his sources claim Ninja in Pyjamas has chosen Marco “⁠Snappi⁠” Pfeiffer to lead the new roster project. Snappi last played for the Saudi organization Falcons and was benched there in December 2024.

In addition to Snappi, NIP is also expected to pick up the last remaining player from Heroic, Rasmus “sjuush” Beck. The rest of the Heroic’s roster has been reported or confirmed to have left the team.

Two more players that are alleged to be joining NIP are Michel “ewjerkz” Magalhães and Rafael “arrozdoce” Wing. The duo made a name for themselves when they played for SAW and reached the 2024 IEM Cologne semi-finals.

If this new roster is finalized, it means Fredrik “REZ” Sterner, who has been a stalwart with NiP since 2017, would finally be leaving the organization. REZ arguably became the face of NIP after playing with the legendary Patrik “f0rest” Lindberg and Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund and sticking with the team for several years into the current day.

It’s important to note the roster overhaul hasn’t been confirmed by NiP, but all signs point to it coming to fruition soon.