A Counter-Strike author criticized modern CS and attributed its success to interest in skins

Minh Le, one of the creators of the original Counter-Strike, has been away from Valve for many years, but his opinions still generate interest in the gaming industry. In a recent conversation with journalists, the developer offered a surprisingly fresh perspective on the reasons behind the series' phenomenal longevity.

He said that over time, he came to the conclusion that the key factor in Counter-Strike's popularity wasn't its gameplay ideas or the confrontation between terrorists and counter-terrorists, but rather its cosmetic items. While he previously believed that the concept itself and intense matches kept players engaged, he now believes that a significant portion of the audience returns to the game for the collection of skins and other visual elements.

Minh Le also admitted that Counter-Strike's esports format never interested him. Even during the beta phase, representatives of esports leagues suggested adapting the game for a competitive format, but the developer was focused solely on the project itself and didn't want to change it for tournaments. Such initiatives, he says, were more irritating than inspiring, as he initially didn't envision Counter-Strike as an esport.

This divergence in views on the future of the series largely explains why Minh Le left Valve long ago. However, it's hard to deny that the company's chosen path has been successful: Counter-Strike has evolved into one of the most significant and recognizable esports games in history, albeit in a format far removed from its creator's original vision.