DexertoThe long-awaited fan remake of classic Counter-Strike was nearly ready until Valve pulled the plug last minute.
Classic Offensive, or CS:CO, was a fan-made mod built on the CS:GO engine. It aimed to recapture the essence of Counter-Strike 1.6 and Source, mixing old-school gameplay with modern stability. Classic maps, sounds, weapons, and even the VIP mode returned, stripped of cosmetics, cases, or agents.
With over 40,000 fans in its Steam group, expectations were sky-high for its March 2025 launch, but the release never came.
On May 7, Classic Offensive posted a statement on X, explaining what happened behind the curtains.
Classic Offensive cancelled as Valve reverses support for community modding
“Despite being officially Greenlit by Valve in 2017, we are devastated to announce the cancellation of Classic Offensive,” the CS:CO team wrote.
The statement goes on to explain that in January 2025, Valve rejected the final build submission. They cited the project as “not a good fit,” despite having Greenlit it in 2017.
Hours before a planned ModDB release, Valve issued a cease-and-desist, calling the mod “derivative content” under the Steam Subscriber Agreement.
In a follow-up post, Valve clarified modding is only allowed under strict conditions, which effectively ruled out Classic Offensive – and many fan-driven Source mods.
This wasn’t just a game – it was a statement. A return to Counter-Strike’s roots. For the community, it was a bold, playable love letter. For Valve, it became a licensing problem.
The CS:CO creators signed off their statement with a warning: “Modders should reconsider how they see Valve: a company that benefits from community creativity while being able to shut down years of work without warning.”
Valve, Classic OffensiveFans didn’t hold back. “A fan-made project, built with love — killed over ‘licensing.” one fan lamented.
Another added, “There would be no CS:GO or CS2 without these kinds of mods.”
“Ironic coming from the company that didn’t even create Counter-Strike in the first place,” read another frustrated reply.
The commenter is referring to Counter-Strike’s origins. It began in 1999 as a Half-Life mod, created independently by Minh “Gooseman” Le and Jess Cliffe. Valve later hired the developers and officially acquired the rights after the mod’s popularity surged. That history makes Valve’s decision to shut down a fan-made mod all the more ironic.
With Classic Offensive gone, many wonder what future is left for community-led modding.