Casle interview after joining ECSTATIC: “I thought they showed a high level for a long time”

On March 13th, it was announced that  that Peter "casle" Ardenskjold had successfully appealed his ban from ESIC and was allowed to participate in the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 for CS2. Following that,  ECSTATIC announced he would link up with them as their coach. The team recently became the only fully-Danish team to qualify for the PGL Copenhagen Major in their nation’s capital. Bo3.gg spoke with Peter about the experience of being banned, his time at Astralis, and his new career milestone.

ESIC Ban

Casle was among the many coaches who, in 2020, received a ban for exploiting a spectator mode bug on the professional scene. Initially, the 37-year-old coach was banned from participating in five majors, four of which have already passed. After an amnesty from ESIC, the developers have now allowed Peter to participate at Majors.

How does it feel now that you have been unbanned?

I am really happy about that. It has been a long way.

How has the situation around you being banned changed your outlook on your career? 

I don't feel it changes much, apart from some fairness and that I can join the upcoming Major.

When you were banned from ESIC and banned from participating in majors, did you think about quitting Counter-Strike and doing something else?

Of course, you think about it. But I've kind of just taken it as it comes.

Period in Astralis

casle first joined Astralis Talent in August 2022, spending just two months with the academy team. After that, in December 2022, he was promoted and began working with the main lineup of the club. Under his leadership, the team did not win any major championships, only CCT North Europe Series #3 and CCT South Europe Series #4. At the end of 2023, he left the organization as it decided to change its development direction.

Your previous team was Astralis, how do you sum up your time with the team? Did your perspective change over months?

All in all, it has been a good period. The times we had stability in the team, we managed it quite sensibly. Many changes were made and that made it difficult.

They recently made a big change with the removal of blameF and the transition of dev1ce to IGL, what are your thoughts on that?

Time will tell if it was a good decision. I think blameF is a really good caller. Dev1ce certainly has the head to become a good caller too.

How do you think dev1ce will adapt to IGL?

I think it will be really difficult. It's just not that easy to become a caller. But if he gives it time, it has potential

What was it like working with blameF?

I really liked working with blameF. He is really skilled and willing to listen to other people's ideas. In general, it was just a really good collaboration we had.

Does it surprise you that this new Astralis team has struggled so far?

It is clear that there were some things that did not work if you look at the Major. It's always hard to tell from the outside. I actually felt we were in a really good place as a team when I stopped.

What are the main reasons why Astralis didn't make it to the major, and how exactly did this influence the subsequent kick of blameF?

I can't answer that. Only people in Astralis can answer that.

New Challenge

Peter helped ECSTATIC at the RMR for the Major, helping them secure successful results and qualification for the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024. He prepared match plans, created new strategies for pistol rounds, and also helped with the overall preparation against opponents. Having received a pardon from ESIC and Valve, casle immediately signed a full contract with ECSTATIC.

Transitioning from a legendary team like Astralis to coaching ECSTATIC presents a new set of challenges and opportunities. Do you feel the shift in expectations between the clubs?

There is of course a big difference in size. But otherwise, the daily work is much the same. Here, of course, there are not the same expectations either, but they also work with a completely different budget.

How are you preparing to adapt your coaching style to fit this new environment?

As I said before, the day-to-day work is much the same. We haven't had that much time either, so it's been a lot of here-and-there solutions.

ECSTATIC has shown promise and potential in their performances. As their new coach, what are your immediate goals for the team, and how do you plan to achieve them?

They have done extremely well. We haven't actually talked that much about goals. We pretty much just take it as it comes.

ECSTATIC will be the only Danish team at the Major, what does that mean for Danish CS to still have someone there to cheer for? 

I think it is really good for Danish cs that there will still be a Danish team to stick with. We must hope we make it to the arena as well.

On the other hand, what does this absence means for the region? What lessons must be taken from this experience?

Astralis is 100% the biggest organization in Denmark, so it will certainly hurt the sale of the tickets. But on the other hand, it also gives some room for some new names.

Were you surprised ECSTATIC made it considering some of the names that are missing out?

Actually not. I thought ECSTATIC showed a high level for a long time, so it's not as surprising as some have made it out to be.

What's the situation with the coaching slot in the game? It wasn't added before, now it seems to be there, but does it work correctly?

It works in most tournaments. But there is still no coach slot. They manage it with a script of some kind.

How can coach experience be improved from within the client?

They just need a coach slot.

What do you think, who at the PGL Major 2024 will be able to surprise us the most, and from whom do you expect the most grandiose result? Share a bit of your pick’ems for Opening Stage?

I have a good eye for SAW. I think they can surprise some teams. Then, of course, I also have faith in ourselves.

Your first match is against Cloud9. Can you share some thoughts on that particular match?

It's a really tough opponent. I hope we can come in really good form and maybe surprise them.