Valve Bought de_cache! Beloved Map Set To Come Back!

A map that has made Counter-Strike history, the first and only Community Made map to ever appear in Active Duty pool. Host of many phenomenal and memorable plays, yet it has not been included in the tournament map pool since 2019 when it was replaced by Vertigo. The map in question is de_cache, which, according to reports from user @Ozzny_CS2 on X (formerly of Twitter), has just been bought out by Valve.

What is going on?

Following the withdrawal of the map in March 2019, it was time for a behind-the-scenes refresh. In September 2019, during ESL One New York, the map was presented in a new, remodelled version. The work was entirely the responsibility of the well-known Shawn Snelling, known as FMPONE, who was in charge of the original design.

FMPONE has not modified anything with the map since March, and with the last Counter-Strike update (22 May 2025) de_cache appeared in the Competitive Map pool.

Valve is not in the habit of spending money hastily. If they have already decided to make such a move, their decision must have been deeply considered, careful and must have been covered by future plans for the development of not only the map, but the game as a whole.

The speculation was confirmed by a post from the map creator himself, who, via X, thanked the players for using the map and the opportunity to progress the project over a long period of time. He also addressed the developers of the game in a short statement.

Why it is significant?

de_cache is the map that for many formed Counter-Strike. It became not only a symbol of the game, but also a great representative of a community that had something of its own among the maps created by Valve. As mentioned above, Valve must have a concrete plan for the way ahead. Such a major decision could foreshadow the return of the map not only to the game, but also the probable replacement of another one, such as Mirage or Vertigo.

What to expect?

Not much can be deduced, as Valve has been operating quietly by default, but some speculation points to a major update including the return of de_cache in time for after Austin Major 2025, or in the autumn/winter period. The replacement itself may be announced in small signs sooner rather than later, but until then we can't say much.

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