If gaming didn't happen, he would probably end up working with cars. But because of not so easy childhood, he ended up playing a lot of CS, which, together with his professionalism, got him where thousands only dream to be.
We interviewed CSGO pros during BLAST Premier Fall Final, World Final, and Spring Groups
Today we’re delving into the Counter-Strike journey of FaZe Clan’s Twistzz.
Photo: Michal KonkolWhat’s your first memory of gaming? What was the first game that you played?
Twistzz: I think one of the first games I ever got introduced to by my dad was Quake Arena, and I ended up playing a lot of Quake online with my dad between the age of eight and like 10. That is probably one of the broader memories in my mind. I mean, obviously, I played a ton of games, but that one sticks out.
Did you have a friend group or somebody that you played with in the early days, or was it more you finding your way on your own?
Twistzz: I would say it was more me finding my own way on my own. I did have a group of friends that I played with, but when we entered CS, we were all first-timers. Later on, I had other friends to play the game with a bit, but I wasn't needing guidance. That didn't really happen until I started playing professionally, after FPL.
Do you still occasionally play with friends that you started out playing with?
Twistzz: Not really. I think, unfortunately, that’s how it is. Everything happened so fast. A lot of friendships were basically lost. You know, when you don't keep in contact with someone and they don't keep in contact, then that's how it goes.
For me, I never really — I don't wanna say cared much about friendships — but I was more trying to make it somewhere. And I had a goal in my mind and I didn't want people to get in the way of it.
Photo: Michal KonkolDid you have any idols growing up?
Twistzz: I wasn't really introduced to Counter-Strike until 2014, and even when I was playing and going up the leagues, I really only watched the Majors.
I didn't watch any other events, I only saw who was performing well at Majors, and at the time, Olof was just on a complete tear, just showing everyone at Majors. So, Olof was one of the idols from like 2014 and beyond. But before that, I wasn't really aware of CS.
What sort of student were you? You showed a good work ethic in the server; was it similar in school or did you coast through your studies?
Twistzz: Kind of coast. I mean, I wouldn't necessarily say my childhood was easy, so a lot of days of intentionally saying: “F**k this” and not going to school, because, you know, life is tough.
And yeah, I think that's why I ended up sitting at home and playing a lot of CS. I think the work ethic just comes from being a professional. I've been playing at this level for six years consistently, so it just comes for me. And obviously a lot of traveling, I live abroad now, basically permanently, it feels like. So yeah, you grow a lot.
Photo: Michal KonkolWhat career path would you have chosen if you haven’t become a pro gamer?
Twistzz: I've never reached a point where I felt like I knew what I was gonna do in my future. When professional gaming happened, I knew I wanted to do it when I got the first offer. And that's how I went from there. But before that, I never had any aspirations.
I mean, I was always into cars, so if gaming didn't happen, I feel like cars were kind of my first passion, also because of my dad. And that's probably where I would've ended up.
Are there any skins in CS that are your favorites?
Twistzz: I think the Pandora Gloves are very nice gloves, every professional uses them. The pink Vice Gloves are also nice. And Crimson Kimonos.
For weapon skins, the Wild Lotus is really nice AK skin. I also like the Bloodsports. The Gungnir is pretty good. I mean, all weapons have like a ton of insane skins. The Containment Breach or the Prince. I could just go on.
I feel like lately there were a lot of good skin finishes added to the game. Kind of just waiting for more gloves.
Are you somebody that gets excited by new skins?
Twistzz: Yeah, basically. I mean, it's so cool, you know. Cause people want to meme Valve or whatever for only adding cases and stuff. But the new skins are nice, and eventually, people over time are just like: “Man, this skin’s insane” or they try to buy the skin. But the same people talk shit about the only cases being released, so yeah.
Photo: Michal KonkolIs there a standout CS meta that you enjoyed the most?
Twistzz: The current meta is probably the best balance we're gonna get, really. Just having the A1-S nerfed, but not nerfed too hard, so people are still using it. It's still a viable option. But yeah, I think at the moment it's the best we've had.
The only time I can think of is before the Krieg meta, but at that time, it was only the A4 because the A1 got nerfed to the ground completely, it was just too bad to use. Yeah, probably before and after the Krieg were good metas.
Do you have a favorite among the unpopular CS:GO weapons?
Twistzz: I feel like the shotguns are still a bit underappreciated. I somehow see fewer and fewer shotguns in the current meta. But I think the Nova is a cheap option — 1200 — and sometimes you can just snipe people with it. It's still one shot's close range, I guess, if you're a bit lucky.
But yeah, there aren't really many bad guns in the game anymore. I mean, there are more of like troll guns. The M249 literally one-shots people, but it's so expensive, people are not gonna be buying this gun. I'm surprised people don't really push the Negev, because it's pretty cheap and it could cause situations to happen.
Could you see yourself making a clutch with the Negev?
Twistzz: Maybe not a clutch, but maybe a three K banana spray down or something, you know?