Counter-Strike mod returns after years of silence with a fresh look, combining CS gameplay with Dota perspective
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Having started its life around five years ago, Polystrike is back after some significant setbacks from the real world. Mocherad posted an update on Reddit stating that the Counter-Strike Mod is now being developed into a standalone game with a full development team behind it.
The creator starts stating their history with the game, starting off in Lviv, Ukraine, back in CS 1.6 (for which there’s now a VR mod). But without reaching the level of Na’Vi, they moved over to game development and modding. Following games such as Dota, LoL, Team Fortress, and even CS, they had a vision to create a similar story with the creation of Polystrike.
Before Counter-Strike 2 was announced, Mocherad began on a Source 2 mod of Counter-Strike, but from a new perspective. Creating a top-down view version of the game, much like Dota, they worked on recreating everything from the mechanics and models, all the way to the maps.
Releasing the mod initially, it gained popularity. With over 200,000 players, there was immediate success and interest in the game. From Valve supporting it to other companies offering to buy it, Polystrike was a success. But the world fell apart following the launch, as both the pandemic and war in Ukraine struck, forcing the developer to flee their country to rebuild. Now, that has come to fruition with a new independent game with a team behind it.
Older Polystrike screenshots as a CS mod
Screenshot of Polystrike on Dust 2 on bomb site B, Source Mocherad, Reddit
Screenshot of Polystrike on Dust 2 on A long, Source Mocherad, Reddit
Screenshot of Polystrike on Dust 2 on mid with leaderboard, Source Mocherad, Reddit
Screenshot of Polystrike on Dust 2 on A long doors, Source Mocherad, Reddit
The future of the game and current progress
The creator has outlined that a team is now working on Polystrike. With plenty of socials, a site, and a subreddit, the game is very much looking like a full-fledged endeavour like any other. That is also demonstrated by the team behind it, which was created in Unreal Engine 5 and features an artist from Valve, an Art Director with 30 years of experience on classic games, as well as Need for Speed developers. Over 20 people are working on this game.
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After two years of development, the game has reached the point of playtests. With this footage showing a more Valorant-style interface, the latest dev log does mention the new art direction and level design. Moving from a 90-degree to a 45-degree camera, it is looking to set itself apart from CS and others. This means there will be no cease and desist letter from Valve – Mocherad has confirmed that “We’ve already contacted Valve and clarified that we will no longer be using their intellectual property”. While the move away from the iconic CS universe may hurt engagement, it’s a necessary step.
How Polystrike looks right now
We look forward to seeing how it progresses, with closed betas expected by the end of the year.
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