TL;DR
- ZywOo chose dev1ce over s1mple for 2020’s best player despite s1mple’s superior individual statistics
- The decision highlights the value of team-oriented play versus individual brilliance in competitive CSGO
- dev1ce maintained exceptional performance (1.22 rating) while navigating Astralis’ roster instability
- Multiple French professionals confirmed ZywOo as their top pick, creating a complex voting dynamic
- The debate reveals deeper questions about how we measure player impact beyond raw numbers

In a stunning revelation that challenged conventional wisdom, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut declared his choice for 2020’s premier player. The French phenom, widely considered a frontrunner for the top position himself, made the bold declaration that Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz deserved the ultimate honor.
ZywOo fundamentally reshaped the ongoing debate about CSGO supremacy by introducing a third contender into what many perceived as a two-player race. During his conversation with 1pv.fr, Team Vitality’s primary AWPer asserted that the Danish cornerstone of Astralis merited the number one ranking. This endorsement of dev1ce’s methodology over s1mple’s explosive approach created immediate controversy within the competitive community.
The plot thickened when G2’s legendary sniper Kenny “kennyS” Schrub aligned with ZywOo’s assessment, suggesting a growing appreciation for strategic consistency over highlight-reel plays.
We conducted brief interviews with elite French competitors regarding their 2020 assessments.
ZywOo identified device as the year’s standout performer. kennyS echoed this sentiment. Maka selected s1mple. MaLeK opted for huNter.
XTQZZZ, ALEX, apEX, shox, RpK, JACKZ, misutaaa, Nivera, xms, Lucky, AmaNEk, ScreaM unanimously chose ZywOo.
— neL (@neLendirekt) January 13, 2021
Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev has dominated global individual rankings throughout recent CSGO history, piloting his squad to multiple championship victories. With an extraordinary 1.28 rating, surpassing this Ukrainian superstar appeared nearly impossible for any contender. Yet ZywOo’s remarkable proficiency with the sniper rifle positioned him as a legitimate challenger to s1mple’s throne.
Navigating the transition to online competition proved exceptionally challenging for most organizations, though a select few consistently excelled throughout 2020. Natus Vincere, Team Vitality, and Astralis each maintained elite status despite fundamental shifts in competitive dynamics, with their star players serving as the foundation for this sustained success.
The fundamental distinction between these elite performers lies in their operational philosophies. s1mple embodies aggressive, individualistic playmaking, while dev1ce prioritizes systematic, team-coordinated execution. This contrast represents one of CSGO’s most compelling strategic debates.
Understanding these stylistic differences is crucial for appreciating high-level competitive analysis. Much like mastering specialized roles in class-based shooters, each approach offers distinct advantages depending on team composition and tournament format.
Why ZywOo thinks dev1ce is best

The French sniper elevated dev1ce’s profile by selecting him ahead of s1mple. While the Danish professional’s achievements command respect, both ZywOo and s1mple delivered spectacular demonstrations of skill throughout the competitive season.
ZywOo’s immense contributions to his team’s achievements during the online era make his endorsement of dev1ce particularly significant. This preference reflects ZywOo’s own competitive philosophy regarding what constitutes genuine excellence in professional Counter-Strike.
“Device represents for me the premier competitor of 2020, despite s1mple’s statistical advantages. What device accomplishes for his organization is truly exceptional,” ZywOo explained during the interview.
Unlike s1mple’s relentless aggressive style, dev1ce maintains composure and executes coordinated strategies with his teammates. s1mple’s individual metrics might indicate superior personal performance, but dev1ce’s capacity to adhere to tactical plans and secure round victories establishes him as ZywOo’s preferred choice.
The Danish AWPer sustained Astralis’ competitive viability during a turbulent period featuring multiple roster adjustments. Remarkably, the sniper maintained an impressive 1.22 average rating despite organizational challenges.
This perspective reveals much about high-level player evaluation criteria. Similar to understanding weapon mechanics and unlock strategies, understanding what metrics truly matter separates casual observation from professional analysis.
The professional community’s divided opinions highlight the complexity of evaluating elite performance. While ZywOo and kennyS favored dev1ce, the majority of French professionals selected ZywOo himself, creating an intriguing consensus-within-disagreement scenario.
This divergence in expert opinion mirrors broader debates in competitive gaming about how to properly assess player value. Much like developing comprehensive game mastery strategies, true expertise involves understanding multiple dimensions of performance beyond surface-level statistics.
For aspiring competitive players, understanding these evaluation criteria provides valuable insights into skill development priorities. The debate between individual brilliance versus team integration represents one of esports’ most enduring philosophical questions.
Common analytical mistakes include overvaluing flashy plays while undervaluing consistent round-winning contributions. Advanced players should study both styles to develop a more versatile competitive toolkit.
The time investment required to properly analyze player performances like these professionals do typically ranges from 10-20 hours of focused study per major tournament.
Action Checklist
- Study both individual statistics AND team impact metrics when evaluating players
- Analyze at least 3 full tournament VODs focusing on player decision-making
- Compare different playing styles (aggressive vs methodical) and their situational effectiveness
- Track consistency metrics beyond highlight plays – note round-winning contributions
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » ZywOo picks dev1ce over s1mple as best CSGO player of the year ZywOo's surprising choice reveals what truly defines elite CSGO performance beyond raw statistics
