For several years, the French Counter-Strike scene has been going through a rough patch. The golden generation of CS:GO, winner of two majors, made up of kennyS, shox, NBK, SmithZz, ScreaM, RpK, Happy and others, has gradually faded away (except apEX), leaving behind memories of glory but very few successors.
The talent pool has dried up, and fewer and fewer French players now compete at the highest level. In this bleak context, Vitality has acted as a lifeline. As the only major French organization to invest heavily in CS, it has kept the country on the global map thanks to its success and the genius of one player, the best in the world ZywOo. But behind Vitality, French CS has little else to show.
Why France never embraced CS
The French esports and influencer ecosystem has always looked elsewhere. League of Legends, VALORANT, Rocket League: these are the titles that attract the attention of organizations, fans and creators. Counter-Strike, despite being the world’s number one FPS and arguably the most spectacular esport to watch, has never managed to build a strong culture in France. Most influencers gravitated towards Riot Games and its universe. As a result, even with a golden generation in the early days of CS:GO and with ZywOo today, CS remains marginal in the French collective imagination.
But major organizations know it: CS is unavoidable. Vitality proved it, and Gentle Mates as well as Karmine Corp, the other two giants of French esports, are aware of it. To reach the next level, they will one day have to take the plunge into what is arguably the greatest esport in the world.
Gentle Mates, a Big Bang for Counter-Strike in France
That is exactly what Gentle Mates did. Let me introduce them: an organization created by three iconic figures of French esports and influence, Squeezie, Gotaga and Brawks.
Squeezie is simply the biggest French content creator, with nearly 20 million subscribers on YouTube. A true cultural phenomenon, he goes far beyond gaming, uniting millions of young people around his videos, concepts and events. When Squeezie commits to a project, he does not just speak to esports fans: he brings a slice of the mainstream audience with him.
Gotaga, nicknamed The French Monster, is one of the pioneers of French esports. A former professional Call of Duty player, he marked an entire generation before becoming one of the country’s most popular streamers.
Brawks, Gotaga’s former teammate, has become a familiar face on Twitch and a pillar of Gentle Mates. Less in the spotlight, he embodies stability and competitive experience. Together with Gotaga, their paths form a unique bridge between pure competition and modern influence.
Their arrival on Counter-Strike is an earthquake. Until now, outside of Vitality, no French organization had the aura, notoriety, or resources to matter in this game. Thanks to their media power, Gentle Mates can bring CS to millions of spectators who had never really followed the scene before.
Iberian Soul, a Bet but Not the Endgame
No French roster to start with. Even though 3DMAX was rumored, Gentle Mates ultimately opted for a more modest and accessible project: Iberian Soul.
Much like Movistar Riders three years ago, who made headlines with their run at IEM Cologne 2022 after competing at the Stockholm Major in 2021, Iberian Soul embodies perseverance and delivers solid performances. Enough to earn a place in the European circuit and occasionally surprise. But as is often the case for these aging lineups (average age of 26), breaking through to the very highest international level seems unlikely. A likable team that can spark excitement, but one that probably will not ever shake the global hierarchy.
Their project is a real bet: relying on a remontada in the VRS ranking and on a roster that knows each other well to reach the big events, especially the ultimate one, the Major. Even if that looks complicated with only a few days left in the ranking race, the choice remains a very low-cost entry point for an organization that aims to climb to the top over time. To get there, Gentle Mates will likely need to go international, or gamble on South American talent to mix up with their Spanish roster. Their first real challenge will be adapting to CS and its uniquely demanding ecosystem.
Living Through Organizations
Vitality entered CS in 2018 with players well-known to the French scene such as apEX, NBK, RpK, shox, Happy, and of course the prodigy ZywOo. They gradually earned the love of French CS fans, while other domestic rosters disappeared. Their move to an international lineup ruffled feathers (mine included), but the charisma of apEX, the brilliance of ZywOo, and the joy of watching Frenchmen win only strengthened their status as the nation’s standard-bearer.
In a world where Vitality has managed to make fans embrace Danish, Israeli, Estonian or even English players, and rally supporters even in esports without a single French player, things have changed. The lack of national talent at the top forces fans to rally not behind individuals, but behind organizations. Vitality carried that role alone for years, winning two majors along the way. Today, Gentle Mates could become a new banner for the community, offering a different way to feel connected. This time, the attachment is also, and perhaps above all, through their owners, who are not simple executives but creators followed by millions.
The Hope of a New Momentum
The arrival of Gentle Mates should not be seen merely as a publicity stunt. It can become a genuine engine of growth. First, by inspiring other French organizations to take the leap, starting with Karmine Corp, whose aura could transform the scene even more. But also by attracting new players and talents, young or old, who want to try their hand at a game more demanding, more competitive, more challenging than a more accessible title like VALORANT.
Vitality remains the standard-bearer of French Counter-Strike. Gentle Mates, for their part, arrive with their media power and ambition. They are not friends, they are not alike, but for us, French CS fans, they represent two sides of the same hope. Our game has been overlooked for far too long in France. It has always deserved better. And today, with Vitality and Gentle Mates standing side by side, and perhaps others to come, it may finally be on the verge of claiming the place it deserves.
