Valve Silently Removes Long-Awaited Counter-Strike Mod from Steam, Future Uncertain
The long-running Counter-Strike mod project Classic Offensive (CS:CO) has apparently hit a roadblock after being retired from Steam through an automated review process, despite eight years of development and a planned early 2025 release.
CS:CO aimed to blend Counter-Strike 1.6's classic elements with CS:GO innovations, focusing on community-driven gameplay rather than matchmaking and skins. The project, which began early access in 2016 and received Steam Greenlight approval in 2017, was designed using Source engine tools from games like Portal 2.
The mod's development team released a statement confirming they followed Steam's guidelines meticulously, avoiding leaked code and illegal practices. They expressed frustration over Valve's lack of communication since 2020, despite the company's awareness of their project.
CS2 gameplay screenshot
Popular CS content creator WarOwl criticized the decision, highlighting the lack of explanation as disrespectful to the modding community. The situation has sparked debate on platforms like Reddit, where users pointed out Counter-Strike's own origins as a mod and Valve's history of hiring talented modders.
Two players in Counter-Strike 2
While some speculate this could be an automated error requiring manual review (similar to other mods like HL1MMod), the extended silence from Valve may indicate a shift in the company's stance toward community mods. The situation remains unresolved, leaving the future of Classic Offensive uncertain.
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