m0NESY Reacts to CS:GO Returning to Steam: “I Didn’t Miss It”

Team Falcons star Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov says he wasn’t nostalgic about CS:GO’s surprise return to Steam as the Counter-Strike community debates the legacy game’s comeback.

The unexpected return of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) to Steam has sparked renewed debate among fans and professional players. However, not everyone in the scene is celebrating the revival of the classic shooter.

Team Falcons AWPer Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov said he personally did not miss the previous version of the game after Valve quietly made CS:GO available again on Steam.

“I didn’t miss it,” m0NESY said when asked about CS:GO’s comeback.

According to the Russian esports portal Cybersport.ru, the young sniper reacted calmly to the news and suggested that the game’s return is unlikely to affect the current competitive ecosystem built around Counter-Strike 2 (CS2).

CS:GO Quietly Returns to Steam

Valve restored CS:GO as a separate application on Steam in early March 2026, allowing players to add the game to their libraries again. The title is currently accessible through a direct link rather than appearing prominently in Steam search results.

The move immediately generated significant interest across the Counter-Strike community.

Reports indicate that tens of thousands of players quickly returned to the legacy version, with peak numbers surpassing 60,000 concurrent players shortly after the relaunch.

For many longtime fans, the comeback offered a chance to revisit the mechanics and gameplay feel that defined competitive Counter-Strike for more than a decade.

Valve Won’t Allow CS:GO Esports Events

Despite the renewed interest, Valve has made it clear that the return of CS:GO does not signal a revival of the game’s esports scene.

According to Dust2.us, Valve confirmed it will not grant tournament licenses for CS:GO competitions, even though the game is now playable again.

This policy effectively keeps CS2 as the only officially supported title for modern Counter-Strike esports, meaning professional teams and tournament organizers will continue focusing on the newer game.

m0NESY: CS:GO Could Become Like Counter-Strike 1.6

While commenting on the situation, m0NESY suggested the legacy version may eventually settle into a niche role similar to earlier Counter-Strike titles.

According to him, the game could remain popular for casual play or community servers rather than serving as the main competitive platform.

Many players have already started launching community servers and private matches, recreating the classic CS:GO experience shortly after the relaunch.

Not All Pros Agree: s1mple and electroNic Prefer CS:GO

Interestingly, some other professional players have recently expressed nostalgia for the older game.

During a quick-fire interview format reported by Cybersport.ru, Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev and Denis “electroNic” Sharipov were asked to choose between CS:GO and CS2.

Both players picked CS:GO over CS2, highlighting that parts of the professional community still prefer the gameplay of the previous title.

They also named Cobblestone as the map they would most like to see return, choosing it over Cache.

Community Reaction to the CS:GO Comeback

Initial impressions from players testing the revived version have been largely positive.

Some users praised the game’s:

familiar movement mechanics

stable performance

lower hardware requirements compared to CS2

For many longtime Counter-Strike fans, the return of CS:GO offers a nostalgic experience and a way to revisit the classic gameplay style.

However, with Valve keeping the esports ecosystem focused on CS2, the legacy title is unlikely to regain its former competitive status.

CS2 Remains the Center of Competitive Counter-Strike

While CS:GO’s return has reignited discussion about the franchise’s history, Counter-Strike 2 remains the official platform for professional tournaments.

For rising stars like m0NESY, the focus remains firmly on the current competitive scene rather than the past.

As the AWPer’s reaction suggests, the return of CS:GO may excite longtime fans — but for some pros, it’s simply a nostalgic side note rather than a major moment for the esport.