Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen, a 30-year-old Danish Counter-Strike player, has joined Astralis after nearly a year without a team. He values the stability and security that the contract provides, elements often lacking in the top echelons of Counter-Strike.

Nielsen has represented over ten different teams since 2015, demonstrating a career marked by frequent changes. However, he notes that this constant flux isn’t his preference. He forms strong bonds with teammates and views them as an extended family, making team changes difficult.

He is pleased with his year-and-a-half agreement with Astralis and aims to contribute to rebuilding the team’s stability, a characteristic it was once known for. Nielsen hopes the current roster can stay together for several years and achieve significant success.

Despite a later breakthrough than many players, Nielsen played for Copenhagen Flames before joining G2 in the summer of 2022, where he spent just under two years as in-game leader before being benched. However, he remained confident in his ability to continue playing. He believes he is far from finished and remains motivated, both mentally and physically.

Nielsen acknowledges the industry’s demanding nature, characterized by constant tournaments, online qualifications, and travel to various countries. He jokingly admits that his fear of flying makes Counter-Strike an unusual career choice.

Despite the challenges, he has made a career out of his hobby. He recognizes that the CS world is not without its problems but anticipates improvements in the coming years, particularly regarding player health, both physical and mental. Astralis has previously addressed these issues, recognizing the excessive pressure and packed schedules.

He anticipates renewed focus on player well-being, emphasizing that the demanding lifestyle, with frequent travel and numerous tournaments, can be mentally taxing, even though it involves playing computer games.

Nielsen’s first tournament as permanent in-game leader for Astralis will be Fissure Playground 1 in Belgrade, starting on Tuesday, with a prize pool of one million dollars.