The developers behind CS:Legacy — a fan-made remake of the legendary CS 1.6 built on Valve’s Source SDK — have announced that the project is facing a serious threat to its existence. Valve may no longer allow the use of the Counter-Strike intellectual property. However, the team already has a plan B: a full transition to an original first-person shooter built on their own IP.
Valve Might Say “No” — and That Changes Everything
It’s been several months since the last major update from Red and the CS:Legacy team, who are working on one of the most ambitious fan-led projects in recent years: a remake of CS 1.6 designed to merge classic gameplay with modern tech. But now, the future of the game hangs in the balance.
The team received an unofficial message from a Valve employee stating that the use of Counter-Strike IP might require a separate license — even though CS:Legacy was developed in full compliance with the 2013 Source SDK license and Steamworks guidelines.
This seems like a misunderstanding. CS:Legacy was created in accordance with all rules, just like CSPromod was, the team noted.
Valve hasn’t responded to follow-up attempts for clarification. This could point to internal changes in Valve’s policy toward projects using their IP — even when those projects are free and developed using licensed tools.
Legal Foresight: Built with Risk in Mind
From the beginning, CS:Legacy was designed with legal autonomy in mind. All models, textures, animations, art direction, and code are fully original — owned by the team and independent of Valve.
We knew something like this might happen, so we built everything ourselves. CS:Legacy doesn’t rely on CS 1.6 in any way beyond concept.
If the project is ultimately blocked in its current form, the team is prepared to immediately shift development toward a new game under their own IP — using a different engine (currently considering Godot and Unreal Engine), with a new universe, original maps, and a distinctive visual identity.
Donations Refunded — But the Project Lives On
In another move showing transparency, the team has already refunded all donors who requested it, sending out notices via email and direct messages. But that doesn’t mean development has stopped:
We didn’t wait for an official greenlight to keep working. Alongside CS:Legacy, we’ve already started prototyping a new game on the Godot Engine.
This decision allows the team to keep momentum, even if Valve ultimately prohibits use of the Counter-Strike IP.
What Will the New Game Look Like Without Counter-Strike?
If the team has to part ways with the Counter-Strike brand, the new game will have its own identity — inspired by 90s-era shooters, offering fast-paced action, cinematic flair, community-focused systems, and high responsiveness.
Core design pillars of the upcoming project:
- Gameplay: Dynamic, precise shooting with powerful wallbangs and fluid movement — inspired by Quake and classic CS 1.6.
- Modding: Open tools for map creation, scripting, and server hosting.
- Art Direction: A bold 90s action movie style — explosive visuals, exaggerated death animations, and that gritty “cinematic fun” feel.
- Performance: Pure responsiveness — no upscalers, no fake smoothing, just raw game feel.
- Community: Community remains central to development, just like it was from day one with CS:Legacy.
What’s Next: Plans Through September
Despite the legal uncertainty, the team is preparing an official build of CS:Legacy to submit via Steamworks. The game was originally expected to release by the end of 2025, but that may be pushed to 2026 due to the situation with Valve.
In parallel, development is underway on a new prototype using the Godot Engine — one that could become the foundation of a completely original FPS experience.
Not the End — But Perhaps a New Beginning
CS:Legacy is more than just a fan passion project — it’s a love letter to the golden era of FPS gaming, when skill, challenge, and fun defined the genre.
If Valve approves the release, CS:Legacy will live on in its intended form. But if not, the team is ready to build something original that still captures the spirit of what made classic shooters great.
We have the vision, the team, the experience, and the passion. We’ll do everything we can to make you feel at home again in this genre.
