A longtime Counter-Strike: Global Offensive map designer isn’t too fond of the Operation Shattered Web skins. In fact, FMPONE says that he considers these custom CSGO skins “game breaking.”
“Custom player models in CSGO is, unfortunately, game breaking,” FMPONE said in a tweet. “The only way this idea works is an option to disable it.”
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“Sorry. I know this isn’t what Valve wants to hear,” he continued. “The idea is bad for gameplay. Mappers pick certain skins (.kv file) because they want clear contrast[.]”
Custom player models in CSGO is, unfortunately, game breaking. The only way this idea works is an option to disable it.
Sorry. I know this isn’t what Valve wants to hear. The idea is bad for gameplay. Mappers pick certain skins (.kv file) because they want clear contrast https://t.co/zwf7Aia5dE
— FMPONE (@FMPONE) November 21, 2019
If all of this is flying over your head, let’s recap a bit. Valve introduced custom CSGO skins for the first time as part of the Operation Shattered Web update. This was something that many fans initially liked, but it wasn’t long before problems started to emerge like the one noted above.
You see, map designers can designate which team uses which skins for one of their maps. This allows them to ensure that the skins work well with the colors they’ve selected for their map. As an example, imagine the difficulty in trying to target an enemy wearing desert camouflage in a map with lots of sand-like colors.
Unfortunately, the release of custom CSGO skins makes this an impossibility now, and FMPONE thinks this needs to change.
“I get that Valve isn’t going to budge on this, I do,” FMPONE continued in another tweet. “Believe me. But the ball has got to move forward from where it is now. The readability hit the agents pose is massive.”
I get that Valve isn’t going to budge on this, I do. Believe me. But the ball has got to move forward from where it is now. The readability hit the agents pose is massive
— FMPONE (@FMPONE) November 21, 2019
“Limit this idea to competitive MM as well,” he added. “Danger Zone? Casual? Scrimmage? Idgaf, all the custom skins you want. Comp games, limit Agents to teammate view so the integrity of the game remains in tact. You can still flex on your homies. Everybody wins[.]”
FMPONE is a man who knows what he’s talking about, with several Counter-Strike: Global Offensive maps to his credit, including:
- DE_CACHE
- DE_SANTORINI
- DE_SUBZERO
- KILLHOUSE
- SUB-ZERO
He has been in the mapping game since 2013 and has produced some high-quality work, much of which has been included in the game itself. Considering his experience, it may be wise for Valve to listen to him on this matter and carefully consider the impact that CSGO custom skins will have on the game.
