Counter-Strike’s legendary co-creator Minh ‘Gooseman’ Le left Valve because he felt nobody was listening anymore — but in hindsight, it may not have been his brightest move. While he was initially thrilled to work at the company, he ultimately walked out over a “lack of creative freedom.”

It’s now more than 25 years since Counter-Strike, born as a humble Half-Life mod, forever changed the world of competitive shooters. Since then, it’s become an esports juggernaut and a financial powerhouse for Valve. Yet recently, Minh ‘Gooseman’ Le — one of the men who started it all — admitted his departure from Valve might not have been the wisest choice. He insists he doesn’t fully regret it, but his words carry a tinge of bittersweet nostalgia that casts a new light on his journey.

In a PCGamesN interview, Le recalled joining Valve with Jess Cliffe after their runaway mod success. He was thrilled to be working alongside his idols and even helped brainstorm the first ideas for Counter-Strike 2 back in the early 2000s. But he soon realized he could no longer shape the series as he had in the past: the game had become “untouchable” to a community resistant to major changes, and the project was ultimately shelved. Seeing his ideas brushed aside and feeling creatively stifled, Le decided it was time to move on.

After leaving Valve, Le founded FIX Korea in South Korea and set out as an indie creator. He released Tactical Intervention in 2013 — a tactical shooter that was mostly panned by critics. Later, he started Ultimo Ratio Games, and just last month released Alpha Response, a new tactical action game that garnered much more praise, especially for its single-player focus. Through it all, Le stresses that his decision to leave Valve was “amicable,” and there was never any bad blood.

Years Later, Minh Le Admits He Regrets Leaving Valve and Counter-Strike

Still, Le doesn’t hide a sense of melancholy. “A part of me regrets it,” he admitted. “Looking back, leaving Valve was, financially, a bad decision. If I’d stayed, I’d be retired by now,” said the developer, now 48. He also acknowledges his career has been dotted with business mistakes, failed partnerships, and tough calls, though he points out that all these experiences made him a better developer and helped him keep the creative independence he cherishes most.

While Counter-Strike remains one of the world’s most successful and recognizable franchises, with millions of players and a billion-dollar competitive scene, Minh Le has built a more modest, principle-driven career. His legacy, however, is indisputable: nothing will ever change the fact that he gave the world one of gaming’s most influential titles.

Source: 3djuegos