After eight years of development, the Classic Offensive mod team has announced that their project aimed at recreating the Counter-Strike 1.6 experience in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has been rejected by Valve. They shared their disappointment via a message on Twitter, explaining that their application to release the mod on Steam has been retired without any reason given.

In communication dated January 11, the team expressed their devastation, stating:

“This is devastating as we’ve worked on the project for almost eight years.”

They pointed out that the rejection may stem from workaround methods they employed with the Source engine during the mod’s creation. The Classic Offensive project was initially approved under Steam’s Greenlight program back in 2017. Its purpose was to provide a modern take on the mechanics and aesthetics of CS 1.6 while maintaining the nostalgia of the classic version.

The developers noted that despite their efforts to adhere to legal guidelines and not use any leaked code, the lack of communication from Valve over the past few years has left them feeling marginalized. They urged any future modding teams working with Valve products to rethink their strategies, especially regarding release methods through Steam for multiplayer content.

The hard work of the Classic Offensive team to keep the project alive right up to its rejection is a poignant reminder of the complexities faced in indie game development, especially with projects that challenge established franchises and their corporate overseers.