Valve removes the most popular mod of Counter-Strike 2 to avoid getting into trouble with Microsoft

Valve has removed the Project Misriah mod for Counter-Strike 2 after receiving a DMCA notice from Microsoft, which claims copyright infringement. This mod aimed to recreate the multiplayer of Halo 3 within the sequel to Valve’s popular shooter, adjusting mechanics, weaponry, and sounds to emulate the classic experience of Bungie’s game.

Copying to Halo doesn’t sound like the best idea

The creator of Project Misriah, Froddoyo, made the news public through a message on Twitter, where he included an image of the DMCA notification. According to the claim, the unauthorized use of content from the Halo game in an unassociated workshop infringed Microsoft’s rights. Therefore, Valve proceeded with the temporary removal of the mod posts on Steam.

The controversy has raised concerns in the modding community, which fears that this precedent could affect other Steam packages, such as those for Left 4 Dead 2 and Garry’s Mod. A fellow modder, Valkyries733, warned that this case could set a precedent that might lead to more removals of similar content on the platform. Although the Project Misriah team could, in theory, file a counterclaim if they believe their work does not infringe copyright, it seems that this option is not in their plans.

Despite the removal of the mod, several players have expressed their appreciation for the work done. Morgan Park, who tried Project Misriah, stated that it was an impressive recreation of Halo’s multiplayer, highlighting the quality of the map design and the fun it provided. “It’s a delight, evocative of the source material and genuinely fun,” commented Park.

The community of players and modders continues to closely monitor the situation, wondering how this action by Microsoft could impact the future of fan-created content on various platforms.

Steam DOWNLOAD