Envy Eyes Comeback in CS2 After Five-Year Hiatus

After five years away from the Counter-Strike scene, Envy—a once-dominant name in professional CS:GO—is preparing a return to action in Counter-Strike 2. The North American organization, led by owner Mike "hastr0" Rufail, has officially begun exploring opportunities to re-enter the competitive scene.

A Storied Past, A Hopeful Future

Formerly known as Team EnVyUs, the org holds a storied place in Counter-Strike history. From dominating European CS:GO with legendary French lineups to struggling after relocating to North America, Envy has seen both sides of the esports coin.

The organization reached its peak in 2015, when it claimed France’s second Major title at DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca, powered by CS icons like shox, Happy, and kennyS. However, following roster instability and a tough transition to a U.S.-based lineup, results declined, and Envy eventually faded out—recording minimal activity by 2020.

Their final CS:GO roster, an international mix led by Nifty and Calyx, failed to find success and was last seen exiting Flashpoint Season 2 without much impact.

Hastr0 Confirms Intent to Return

On April 15, hastr0 took to social media to confirm Envy’s intentions to rejoin the Counter-Strike ecosystem—this time in CS2.

“We have to get Envy back into Counter-Strike. We’ve started exploring all opportunities and will jump on the right one when we find it,” he posted on X/Twitter.

He emphasized that both he and Envy CEO Dean "DerangedNative" Duro are actively involved in the search. In a follow-up post, hastr0 shared nostalgic photos of a classic EnVyUs sticker and the Cluj-Napoca Major trophy, still proudly displayed in his home, noting that the team is "seriously in rebuild mode."

What Could Envy’s CS2 Return Look Like?

With the BLAST Austin Major just around the corner and most teams already locked in, Envy’s timing makes an immediate debut unlikely. However, the post-Major period often brings significant roster reshuffles—and even entire teams becoming free agents—creating a ripe window for Envy to strike.

A return to a French lineup is a romantic notion, but unlikely. Envy’s original departure from French CS was partly due to logistical challenges, so the org may prioritize a North American lineup, potentially targeting squads currently fighting for Major qualification in the NA MRQ.

Alternatively, Envy could assemble a new roster from free agents, but the journey from the bottom to tier-one CS2 is tougher than ever in the current Valve Regional System (VRS).

For now, the community is left to speculate. But one thing is certain: Envy’s Counter-Strike story isn’t over yet. Fans should expect more updates following the conclusion of the Austin Major.