Nicolai “device” Reedtz has been in and out of the competitive Counter-Strike 2 scene, leaving many of the legendary player’s fans confused about his current status.
In 2021, dev1ce made a high-profile move from Astralis to Ninjas in Pyjamas, shaking up the CSGO esports scene. But what was expected to be a career-defining chapter soon turned into a difficult period for the veteran pro player.
Despite helping NiP to secure a runner-up finish at IEM Winter, dev1ce didn’t play a single match in the playoff bracket. Just before the playoffs began, he was unexpectedly pulled from the lineup and replaced by academy player Love “phzy” Smidebrant.
While it was initially thought to be a physical setback, it soon became clear that mental health was at the center of his absence. NiP COO Jonas Gundersen confirmed that dev1ce was focusing on his well-being when he dropped out of the active roster, with no pressure on a return timeline.
“dev1ce is still out, focusing on his well-being. We’re not putting any time on it because we care deeply about all our players’ and employees’ well-being; that’s how performance is” Gundersen said at the time.
Though there were hints of progress, his future remained uncertain, and NiP had to move forward without him for the following Major cycle.
After leaving NiP in 2022, dev1ce rejoined Astralis on a long-term contract,and as of 2025 he remains with the Danish organization with whom he made his name. With his contract running through 2026, the veteran AWPer is expected to remain with Astralis for some time to come.
While his return initially reignited hope among Astralis fans, the results didn’t change much for the struggling side. Despite dev1ce’s strong individual showings in late 2023, the team failed to qualify for the next Major on the calendar. The pro player then took yet another mental health break in 2024, missing RMRs among other significant events and tournaments.
In 2025, dev1ce landed back in Astralis’ active CS2 roster and once again resumed competing at top-tier events. He has already logged appearances at tournaments such as IEM Katowice and PGL Bucharest, among others. The Astralis roster showed a noticeable uptick in form in the run-up to the BLAST.tv Austin Major, but couldn’t carry that momentum into the Major RMR qualifiers, where the side failed to move through.
In its final match against B8, the battle that ultimately knocked Astralis out of the Austin Major, dev1ce was Astralis’ top performer. He posted an 87 ADR, but even his strong showing wasn’t enough to save the squad from elimination.
Fans of dev1ce and Astralis alike will hope that the player will be able to maintain that good form moving forward and stay sharp mentally as the team strives to regain something of its former Major championship glory.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
