The co-creator of Cache, Shawn Snelling, known as FMPONE, has confirmed that Valve has acquired the popular Counter-Strike map. This follows its recent addition to the CS2 Workshop in March and a subtle reference in the game’s latest update.
When a player speculated that Valve had purchased the map, FMPONE responded with gratitude, thanking the community for their support and acknowledging Sal Garozzo, the original creator of Cache. Garozzo, who now co-leads development on Valorant, initially designed the map, with FMPONE contributing to its evolution over the years.
FMPONE revealed that Valve approached them to buy the map immediately after its Workshop release. He described the offer as a great honour and emphasised that there was no hesitation in accepting. Valve had previously expressed interest in purchasing Cache around 2013-2015, but at the time, the creators chose to keep it independent, confident in its enduring popularity.
A New Chapter for Cache in Counter-Strike 2
Cache first debuted in 2014 and remained in CS:GO’s competitive map rotation until 2019. While CS2 launched with revamped versions of classic maps, Cache was entrusted to FMPONE for its latest iteration. The Workshop version has been praised for its visual upgrades and gameplay improvements, making it a strong candidate for Valve’s official competitive pool.
FMPONE assured fans that the map is now in good hands, and Valve has also acquired the rights to the map’s artwork, including a removed graffiti tribute to a famous play by pro player s1mple.
Valve’s official Counter-Strike account acknowledged the acquisition with a simple handshake emoji, marking another milestone in the game’s history of community-driven development. Cache’s return is highly anticipated, and its official inclusion in CS2 is expected soon.