Introduction
Oleg Andreevich Smirnov (known online as Deep_DEP Game) from Nizhny Novgorod has made history in Russian e‑sports by setting a national record — the longest gaming session in Counter‑Strike 2. His achievement — 24 hours and 54 minutes of a verified stream in competitive mode — was officially recorded between 24 and 25 October 2025.
This event was not only a personal triumph for Oleg but also drew attention to e‑sports marathons, demonstrating how far one can go in video gaming with proper self‑organisation and perseverance.
How the record was achieved
To set the record, Oleg conducted a continuous live stream, playing Counter‑Strike 2 for a full 24‑hour period. The rules allowed short breaks — 5 minutes each — which Oleg used 7 times during the marathon.
After each break, he had to make up for the «lost» time to ensure the total «pure» playing time reached 24 hours. As a result, the total duration of active gameplay amounted to 24 hours and 54 minutes — a figure that became the new Russian record.
Organisers carefully monitored compliance with the conditions:
- the start and end times of the stream;
- the duration and number of breaks;
- the absence of third‑party software or cheats.
The entire process was documented, and video materials were preserved for subsequent verification.
Achievements during the record‑breaking stream
Over the course of 24 hours of continuous play, Oleg demonstrated impressive results:
1. Rank improvement. Despite fatigue and the monotony of the marathon, he managed to improve his in‑game rank — a metric directly tied to performance in matches.
2. 18 knife kills. Notably, Oleg achieved 18 kills using a knife — a technically demanding and risky feat requiring precision and reaction even under physical exhaustion.
3. 40 matches in Premier mode. He played 40 full matches in competitive format, where each round required maximum concentration.
These achievements highlight not only Oleg’s endurance but also his high level of skill.
Challenges of the marathon
Playing non‑stop for 24 hours came with serious physical and psychological challenges:
Drowsiness and hallucinations. By 16:40, Oleg began to feel severely drowsy. Later, he experienced brief hallucinations: he felt as though he had literally «immersed» into the game world. This is a typical phenomenon during prolonged concentration and lack of proper sleep.
Physical strain. Sitting in one place for 24 hours without proper movement was a serious challenge. Oleg had to suppress the natural urge to stretch to avoid breaking the record conditions.
Maintaining focus. Even for seasoned gamers, it is difficult to maintain maximum engagement in a game for such a long time. Each match required tactical thinking, quick reactions, and communication with the team.
Oleg paid special attention to nutrition: he limited himself to energy bars and water, deliberately avoiding coffee and energy drinks. This approach helped minimise the risk of sudden energy fluctuations and maintain relative stability in his well‑being.
Motivation and goals of the record
Setting the record had a dual purpose:
1. Personal achievement. For Oleg, this was a way to test his own physical and psychological limits and prove that long gaming marathons are possible without harming health (with the right approach).
2. Inspiring the community. He wanted to motivate other gamers not to stop at what they’ve achieved, to expand their horizons, and to perceive e‑sports as a serious discipline requiring discipline, strategy, and perseverance.
According to Oleg, video games are not just entertainment but a synthesis of culture, creativity, science, and sport. He believes that e‑sports records can serve as a bridge between traditional sports and the digital age, drawing attention to new forms of competition.
Oleg openly stated that he expects his record to be broken by like‑minded individuals and is ready to support future record‑holders.
The path to success
Success did not come on the first try. On 7 July 2025, Oleg made his first attempt to set the record, but it was deemed unofficial: the rules regarding breaks had been violated.
This failure became a valuable lesson:
- Oleg thoroughly revised his break schedule to strictly adhere to the time limits.
- He developed a personalised nutrition and recovery regimen to minimise the risk of exhaustion.
- He consulted with experts to understand how to maintain cognitive functions under prolonged strain.
The second attempt, made several months later, ended in triumph: Oleg received the Badge «Golden Star of the Russian Record‑Holder» — the official symbol of recognition for his achievement at the national level.
Conclusion
Oleg Smirnov’s record is not just a demonstration of endurance but also evidence of how video games bring people together, inspire them to overcome personal limits, and shape a new cultural space. His story reminds us that even in the virtual world, success requires discipline, perseverance, and respect for one’s own capabilities.