Steam blocks the release of a mod to play the classic Counter-Strike

Counter-Strike, a name that resonates strongly in the history of video games, originated as a mod of Half-Life and has evolved into a global phenomenon, largely thanks to the flexibility that Valve, the company behind the title, has shown towards modifications on its Steam platform. However, recently, the modding landscape has taken a drastic turn with Valve’s decision to issue a cease and desist order against the mod Counter-Strike: Classic Offensive.

Where I said “digo” I say “Diego”

This mod, which aimed to revive the classic essence of CS:GO and had received explicit approval from Valve in 2017, was abruptly canceled in January 2025. According to the development team, Valve’s communication was brief, merely stating that the project was not “suitable for Steam”. Hours before releasing an update that promised to revitalize the mod, the team encountered the legal notification that ended their eight years of work.

Valve’s decision has sparked a strong debate within the modding community, who see this move as a radical change in the company’s stance towards supporting user creativity. “This stance contradicts the previous approval and historical tolerance that Valve had with the modding communities,” notes the Classic Offensive team, highlighting that their efforts follow the company’s official processes.

This turn raises concerns about the future of modding within Valve’s ecosystem, where the company’s perception as a supporter of creativity is threatened. Mod developers must reconsider their relationship with Valve, an entity that benefits from community innovation but, at the same time, can dismantle years of efforts without warning, leaving a climate of uncertainty about the future of their own projects.

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