Why is nocries at FACEIT Headquarters?

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 25/09/2025

North America’s top FACEIT player ‘nocries’ has been flown to FACEIT’s New York Headquarters to prove that they are not cheating in Counter-Strike. 

The player’s FACEIT visit for anti-cheating verification is reminiscent of Team Vitality pro Robin ‘ropz’ Kool’s 2017 visit for the same reason. 

Who is nocries, and why is he at FACEIT Headquarters?

The true identity of ‘nocries’ is relatively unknown. He is the top player on North America’s FACEIT leaderboard, boasting an ELO of over 4,000. 

Since emerging at the top of the region, nocries has fought escalating accusations of cheating. 

In response to these allegations, FACEIT made a rare decision. The organisation flew nocries to their New York HQ to play under supervision, with the opportunity to prove their authenticity. FACEIT confirmed that nocries had accepted their invitation on September 24th. 

Since arriving at FACEIT HQ, nocries has been playing under supervision on hardware specifically provided by FACEIT’s Anti-Cheat team. 

There have been no further updates since the end of his first day at the HQ. However, his FACEIT profile shows that since September 24th, he has won seven games and only lost one. 

Which CS2 players have been invited to FACEIT HQ?

It is incredibly rare for a Counter-Strike player to be invited to FACEIT HQ to prove their legitimacy. In fact, the only other high-profile instance of this happening was when current Team Vitality player Robin ‘ropz’ Kool was invited in 2017.

There have been rumours that ropz’s teammate on Team Vitality, Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut, was also invited to prove their legitimacy to FACEIT. However, these claims do not appear true. 

Both ropz and ZywOo are considered two of the best players in professional Counter-Strike, particularly after Team Vitality’s legendary win streak in early 2025.

To be invited to the FACEIT HQ is either a sign of incredible talent or incredible cheats. Of course, given his successful professional career, ropz was cleared of all cheating allegations. 

In the meantime, nocries is hoping for the same result. 

Is nocries a pro CS player?

Despite speculation that nocries could be a professional Counter-Strike player using a secret smurf account, this is probably unlikely. 

However, it is impossible to dismiss the possibility that nocries has a professional career ahead.

At only 18 years of age, according to his profile on X (Twitter), nocries has extraordinary talent for such a young player. Some individuals in the Counter-Strike community are already speculating as to his chances of going pro. 

Adding fuel to the fire, ropz was invited to FACEIT HQ just before his signing to MOUZ. 

If FACEIT’s in-person cheating investigation for ropz was to clear his name before a high-profile signing, could nocries be going through the same process?

Once more, a potential pro career is pure speculation. If his name is cleared, nocries will solidify his place as one of the best North American FACEIT players in recent years. 

With relative quiet from FACEIT HQ so far, the future is unknown. 

Perhaps, in time, nocries will take the same journey as ropz, and become one of the best in Counter-Strike. 

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Hannah is a journalist specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports, Apex Legends, and advocating for women's esports initiatives. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ALGS LANs, ESI London, EGX, and watch parties.

All Posts By Hannah Marie ZT