Counter-Strike legend HeatoN to be inducted the first Esports Hall of Fame’r

Who doesn’t know or have heard of “HeatoN”? The Counter-Strike player was once a legend among pro gamers, but you might not know him well since his fame peaked about ten years ago. This is why he’s being inducted in the ESL Hall of Fame as the first ever pro player to be honored.

ESL announced the Esports Hall of Fame few months back to honor pro players, and HeatoN will be the first of which. Considered one of the most successful Counter-Strike players of all time, HeatoN played for two historic teams that dominated on the international stage during the early-to-mid naughts. The most notable of these was the SK Gaming roster HeatoN joined in 2002, which went on to win four separate world championship titles before disbanding in 2004.

With the release of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, HeatoN revived the NiP-brand and assembled a five man roster that went on to dominate the title’s first year of competition, winning a stunning 87 maps straight in offline competition before their first loss.

HeatoN will be inducted into the hall of fame by Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund, NiP’s franchise player as well as one of the best CS players ever. The ceremony will be conducted during the upcoming Valve major ESL One Cologne, which happens to be the first and only major NiP has won.