In a move that delighted the Counter-Strike community, Valve has officially purchased the iconic fan-made map Cache from its creator. This acquisition marks a rare but celebrated moment where a community-made project transitions into official hands.
Immediate Interest from Valve
The news was confirmed by Cache co-creator Shawn “FMPONE” Snelling, who revealed that Valve reached out to purchase the map the moment it went live on the CS2 Workshop in early March 2025. “They reached out to buy it on day 1,” FMPONE said. “A great honor and I don’t want anyone to think we hesitated for one moment.”
A Legacy Map with Deep Roots
Cache was originally created by FMPONE and Sal “Volcano” Garozzo, who has since become co-lead designer of Riot’s Valorant. The map gained massive popularity in CS:GO, eventually earning a spot in the official competitive map pool. Its return in Counter-Strike 2 has been widely requested by fans.
What This Means for CS2
With Valve’s direct acquisition, many expect Cache to reappear in CS2’s active duty pool soon. The purchase signals Valve’s renewed willingness to invest in community content—especially as CS2 continues to evolve its competitive ecosystem. It also opens the door for other popular Workshop creations to receive similar treatment.
Community Reaction
The community has responded positively, with many players praising Valve for recognizing the value of user-created content. The acquisition is seen not only as a win for the creators, but also as a hopeful sign for future Workshop creators dreaming of official support.
