The Counter-Strike Hall of Fame Begins with Four NiP Legends

For the longest time, the esports industry lacked a way to award exceptional individuals and teams for their performance. That all changed in the past several years, with awards shows popping up—whether we’re talking about the Esports Awards on an industry level or game-specific awards like those given by HLTV.org or The League Awards. Nowadays, there are more than enough awards shows in esports, bringing up the question of which one truly matters.

HLTV Hall of Fame

HLTV.org has been awarding the best Counter-Strike players annually for more than a decade, spanning three different iterations of the game—CS 1.6, CS:GO, and now CS2. In 2022, they stepped it up with the first HLTV Award Show in Stockholm, Sweden. Instead of just announcing the best players in the world and handing them awards whenever possible at events, they organized a full-scale award show—like the Oscars for Counter-Strike’s best. Ever since, they’ve been improving the event. Having attended the one in Belgrade at the beginning of 2024, I can confirm it truly feels like a gala celebrating the game and all those who made it what it is today.

This year, HLTV.org announced the first Hall of Fame inductees. Just as they were among the first to award the best, they are the first in esports to honor those who are no longer competing in a meaningful way.

“In the short term, the objective is to honor the legends of Counter-Strike by inducting them into the Hall of Fame during the HLTV Awards gala. We will also cover their careers through articles, videos, and special HLTV player profiles to ensure their stories are remembered.” — HLTV.org’s Hall of Fame introduction article by 1xBet.

So, who are the legends inducted first into the Counter-Strike Hall of Fame? There were 12 nominees, but interestingly enough, four Swedes received the honor of being the first. Four legendary NiP players—two pairs, actually: Tommy "Potti" Ingemarsson and Emil "HeatoN" Christensen, and Patrik "f0rest" Lindberg and Christopher "GeT_RiGhT" Alesund.

The Underrated One – Tommy “Potti” Ingemarsson

The Robin to HeatoN’s Batman—if Robin was actually stronger and better than Batman, as Potti himself once put it. His career-long partnership with HeatoN defined the early 2000s of CS 1.6. A player who had it all but always focused on winning and what was best for the team. He co-founded Ninjas in Pyjamas and wore SK Gaming colors, bringing recognition to both organizations. Recognition they still enjoy today.

Alongside HeatoN, he was the protagonist of the first true era in CS history, winning the CPL series of tournaments and World Cyber Games 2003 with SK Gaming. CPL Winter 2001, the $150,000 tournament held in Dallas, is considered the first-ever world championship. Potti and NiP won it by defeating X3 in the finals, 2-1. He even won a CS tournament with a stand-in who had never played CS before—it was a Quake 3 player, litzer.

Even today, esports is still suffering from some growing pains. Potti and his generation were pioneers in an era when esports was in its infancy. In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, StarCraft ignited the modern esports scene in South Korea, but in Europe—especially Sweden—FPS titles reigned supreme. The impact of that tradition and history is still felt today.

Emil "HeatoN" Christensen – The First CS Superstar

HeatoN’s achievements largely mirror those of Potti, but he continued competing until 2007, winning several tournaments for NiP in 2006, including ESWC Sweden, WSVG DreamHack Summer, and WEF 2006—mostly against Fnatic. While Potti was the calm and calculated one, HeatoN was the flashy one, known for his exceptional aim and controlled spray. His innovations are still felt in today’s game. In 2016, **HeatoN became the first inductee into the ESL Hall of Fame, a testament to his impact on esports and Counter-Strike. ** The bond he had with Potti, at a time when CS was mostly based on individual skill, earned them both success. Soulmates in passion, eager to win.

In 2005, after a period of inactivity, HeatoN re-established NiP as a company alongside Potti, Peter Hedlund, and Victor Lindqvist. After his retirement, he transitioned to management. First, as General Manager for Stockholm Magnetik in CGS. Later, he reformed NiP as a manager during the CS:GO era. Under his guidance, NiP achieved unprecedented success, including an 87-0 LAN winning streak. As of late 2022, he is the CEO and Head of Esports for GODSENT.

Patrik "f0rest" Lindberg – The Gifted One

The first thing I heard about f0rest when I started following CS was that he’s one of the most naturally gifted players to ever touch the game. Both in 1.6 and CS:GO. And really, anyone who’s seen him in his prime can tell you the same. Even late in his career, while looking for another opportunity to give it his all one more time, glimpses of his talent would always shine through.

Like Potti and HeatoN before them, f0rest had his brother-in-arms in GeT_RiGhT. Inspired by their predecessors, they stuck together and achieved incredible things. All three of f0rest’s Majors—two in 1.6 (CPL Winter 2006 with Fnatic and ESWC 2011 with SK Gaming) and one in CS:GO (ESL One Cologne 2014)—he won alongside GeT_RiGhT. Their undefeated 87-0 LAN streak at the start of CS:GO will never be broken. While others were still clinging to 1.6, they transitioned to the new game in a dominant fashion. f0rest finally retired in 2024.

Like all legendary duos, f0rest, and GeT_RiGhT complemented each other. One was naturally gifted, confident in duels, with unparalleled aim. The other was a hardworking grinder, one of the best lurkers ever, with brutal spray control and game sense.

Christopher "GeT_RiGhT" Alesund – The Lurker

It wouldn’t be fair to say GeT_RiGhT wasn’t talented—it was just in a different way than f0rest. After watching HeatoN compete, he decided to pursue a pro-gaming career. But breaking out young had its downsides. SK Gaming dropped him, calling him too young to fit in with the team. It happened at a low point in his life—he was ready to quit. But then Björn "⁠THREAT⁠" Pers approached him and convinced him to keep going. THREAT taught him a lot, and soon, GeT_RiGhT started proving why he belonged.

He got his revenge on SK Gaming at ESWC and KODE5, then found his defining moment when fnatic fell apart, and f0rest decided to stick with him. Once again, choosing GeT_RiGhT turned out to be the right decision.

In 2013 and 2014, he was named the best player in the world. His spray control and dedication brought trophies and made him one of the main contenders in the GOAT debate for years. After almost 15 years at the top, he retired in 2021.

All four NiP legends deserve their place in the Hall of Fame—no questions about it. They are connected in so many ways, and it’s fitting they took this step together. Once dominant, the Swedish CS scene has struggled in recent years, with no representatives among the world’s top players. Maybe the stories of these Hall of Fame inductees will inspire the next generation to step up and bring Sweden back to where it belongs. For more information about the aforementioned four and Hall of Fame, check HLTV.org.