Ex Counter-Strike Pro talks Salary, Psychology in Esports and settles the GOAT Debate

6 Sep

Kaustavmani Choudhury

When Fredrik “roeJ” Jørgensen reflects on his Counter-Strike career, it reads like the archetypal esports story – a passionate gamer who turned professional, experienced soaring earnings, faced personal and professional struggles, and now serves as a mentor in the community.

His journey not only reveals the realities of making a living through CS but also provides fresh perspective on the industry’s most enduring debates, from the psychology behind the pressure to the famed GOAT argument.

We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to Thunderpick.io for sharing this insightful interview with roeJ and giving us the opportunity to publish it.

From Casino Floor to Pro Gaming

roeJ’s rise to professional Counter-Strike didn’t happen overnight. His introduction to the game was humble, starting with his brother showing him the ropes and steadily turning competitive.

“I have the classic story like almost everyone else, with my big brother showing me the game when I was little... I was 23 years old I just kind of got possessed with the game and didn’t stop playing pretty much ever since.”

Before achieving esports stardom, he faced everyday realities: “I was living in Malta with my girlfriend and I was actually working in a casino for a year... I just played non-stop for three months.”

The Climb and Salary Reality

While many see professional Counter-Strike as a dream job, roeJ details a gradual climb – from part-time jobs to earning a living wage as a pro.

“I was earning around $1,000 with [Copenhagen] Flames at that point, and in working part-time getting like around $1,500 on top of that... I told them the minimum I would need to live and pay rent... and they covered that so I could go full time.”

As his career advanced, his paychecks increased. He moved from Copenhagen Flames to Tricked Esport, who paid a bigger budget and held a higher team ranking, earning around $3,000 a month. Then he joined Mad Lions, where his monthly salary jumped to $7,000–$8,000.

But it wasn’t just about salaries, as prize money from a single tournament could transform a season.

“We actually won one of the first tournaments, The LAN tournament at V4 Future Festival... each player got almost $20,000 on top which was so much money for me.”

The Pressure Cooker: Esports Psychology

The cutthroat world of professional CS is fueled by pressure and expectation. The former Fnatic man candidly shared how the psychological aspects shaped his career and eventual retirement.

“For the last two years of my career I was struggling a little bit with motivational issues. I had periods of time where it felt more like a job and something I had to do just to keep doing.”

roeJ says that he always needs to play a lot to stay motivated. Toward the end of his career, he tried to find a way to reduce his playing time while still maintaining his performance. He also highlighted the sheer intensity of tournament play: “You feel the pressure. You get used to it a little bit but I don’t think the feeling ever goes away... your heart just starts pounding.”

He believes that support staff can help, but organizations often prioritize player salaries, pushing their budgets to the limit. Because of this, teams find it difficult to add many extra support roles.

“I definitely think that just having someone to talk to about your experiences and your problems is good.”

Sustaining a Future: Evolution and Market Challenges

roeJ’s story also illustrates how inflation in player salaries and structural changes have disrupted the scene for both organizations and aspiring players.

“There are some issues within the scene with the player salaries being a little bit inflated... That’s kind of one of the issues where we see a lot of organizations going down.”

He laments the loss of “ladder systems” that encouraged player growth and notes, “We kind of lost that ladder system where... one guy got picked up from the other team then... another guy came up to replace him and all of that is gone now.”

The State of Counter-Strike

Counter-Strike remains one of the most enduring and beloved esports titles worldwide, despite evolving challenges and changes in the competitive landscape. According to roeJ, the game’s fundamentals have barely changed over the years, yet its competitive level continues to soar as new playstyles emerge and tactical depth deepens.

“Counter-Strike is probably one of the games that you don’t really have to do anything to it, and you can just keep it going for like almost forever.”

He highlights that despite the introduction of CS2 with significant changes, the core gameplay philosophy remains intact, allowing the game to retain its dedicated fanbase.

He also notes how the game's simplicity paired with complex layers of skill keeps it fresh and exciting for both players and spectators. Still, he acknowledges community concerns with recent updates but remains hopeful for future improvements that sustain Counter-Strike’s legacy as a timeless staple in esports history.

Settling the GOAT Debate

Perhaps nothing is as hotly debated in esports as the distinction of “GOAT” in Counter-Strike. For Jørgensen, the answer is clear.

“I think the greatest player of all time is ZywOo... He’s just the greatest player because he is just so good at everything, you know. Obviously he’s an AWP player and he’s very good with the AWP, but I mean, if I had to pick the best rifle in the game, I would pick ZywOo as well.”

His criteria? Total skill and adaptability: “He can play aggressive, he can play passive, he can just do it all.”

Life After the Frags

Though no longer a pro player, roeJ remains active in esports, supporting brands, streamers, and rising talent by managing partnerships, content sales, and acting as an agent. His experience reveals the evolving challenges of professional Counter-Strike, including salary growth, mental pressures, and player development. His story highlights the passion and resilience vital to success in the competitive gaming landscape.

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Featured Image Source: PGL