Counter-Strike, developed originally as a Half-Life mod by Minh Le and Jess Cliffe, has evolved into one of Valve's most successful franchises—and an enduring staple of the PC gaming landscape.
Since its inception in 1999 and subsequent acquisition by Valve in 2000, the team-based tactical shooter has maintained a massive, dedicated player base.
With the launch of Counter-Strike 2, the series continues to dominate Steam charts and generate unprecedented revenue from in-game purchases. Selling over 70 million loot chests monthly at around $2.50 each, Counter-Strike 2’s in-game economy produces more than $175 million in revenue every month.
Many of the weapon skins obtainable from these chests are sought after in the gaming community, with select rare items commanding prices upwards of a million dollars on secondary markets.
This economic success only amplifies the game's remarkable transition from a fan-made mod to a global phenomenon under Valve's stewardship. In a recent interview with EDGE magazine, Minh Le, the co-creator of Counter-Strike, shared his perspective on the franchise’s growth and his own journey through its rapid rise.
Le recounted his decision to partner with Valve at a time when he and his fellow modders had little understanding of the commercial potential their creation possessed.
Speaking candidly, Le explained that, at the turn of the millennium, Counter-Strike was simply a passion project for its development team: "Back then, Counter-Strike was still a free mod.
I remember asking Jess Cliffe, 'How could Valve possibly make money from this?' When Valve approached us, we would've accepted any offer, not realizing the immense value of what we’d built.
We saw joining Valve as an amazing opportunity." Facing an uncertain personal financial situation, Le described the Valve deal as life-changing.
"At that time, the support from Valve allowed me to resolve many financial difficulties, including helping my parents pay off their mortgage.
It felt like winning the lottery.
I didn't want to push back or negotiate too hard; Valve had the advantage and we were just a group of dedicated modders," Le told EDGE.
Despite never publicly disclosing the amount, Le noted that he was not paid enough to retire immediately but did become a Valve employee—an outcome he once saw as a dream come true. After leaving Valve in 2006, Minh Le contributed to other major projects such as Rust and Black Desert Online, and now leads development on a new tactical FPS, Alpha Response, at Ultimo Ratio Games.
Reflecting on his career, Le expressed some regrets about how the original Counter-Strike deal played out: "There are things I wish I’d done differently.
I see some of my old colleagues at Valve enjoying significant financial success, which sometimes makes me consider what might have been." Despite any regrets, Minh Le continues to leave a substantial mark on the industry, inspiring both developers and players alike.
The legacy of Counter-Strike, powered by Valve and Steam’s robust ecosystem, reaffirms its place as a defining title in PC gaming history.
Since its inception in 1999 and subsequent acquisition by Valve in 2000, the team-based tactical shooter has maintained a massive, dedicated player base.
With the launch of Counter-Strike 2, the series continues to dominate Steam charts and generate unprecedented revenue from in-game purchases. Selling over 70 million loot chests monthly at around $2.50 each, Counter-Strike 2’s in-game economy produces more than $175 million in revenue every month.
Many of the weapon skins obtainable from these chests are sought after in the gaming community, with select rare items commanding prices upwards of a million dollars on secondary markets.
This economic success only amplifies the game's remarkable transition from a fan-made mod to a global phenomenon under Valve's stewardship. In a recent interview with EDGE magazine, Minh Le, the co-creator of Counter-Strike, shared his perspective on the franchise’s growth and his own journey through its rapid rise.
Le recounted his decision to partner with Valve at a time when he and his fellow modders had little understanding of the commercial potential their creation possessed.
Speaking candidly, Le explained that, at the turn of the millennium, Counter-Strike was simply a passion project for its development team: "Back then, Counter-Strike was still a free mod.
I remember asking Jess Cliffe, 'How could Valve possibly make money from this?' When Valve approached us, we would've accepted any offer, not realizing the immense value of what we’d built.
We saw joining Valve as an amazing opportunity." Facing an uncertain personal financial situation, Le described the Valve deal as life-changing.
"At that time, the support from Valve allowed me to resolve many financial difficulties, including helping my parents pay off their mortgage.
It felt like winning the lottery.
I didn't want to push back or negotiate too hard; Valve had the advantage and we were just a group of dedicated modders," Le told EDGE.
Despite never publicly disclosing the amount, Le noted that he was not paid enough to retire immediately but did become a Valve employee—an outcome he once saw as a dream come true. After leaving Valve in 2006, Minh Le contributed to other major projects such as Rust and Black Desert Online, and now leads development on a new tactical FPS, Alpha Response, at Ultimo Ratio Games.
Reflecting on his career, Le expressed some regrets about how the original Counter-Strike deal played out: "There are things I wish I’d done differently.
I see some of my old colleagues at Valve enjoying significant financial success, which sometimes makes me consider what might have been." Despite any regrets, Minh Le continues to leave a substantial mark on the industry, inspiring both developers and players alike.
The legacy of Counter-Strike, powered by Valve and Steam’s robust ecosystem, reaffirms its place as a defining title in PC gaming history.
