CS2 Map designer departed Valve following CS2 release

While the gameplay within Counter-Strike 2 could use some more adjustment, fans and critics abound have praised the game for the updated map art and design while on the new engine. Maps like Overpass and Inferno received major artistic overhauls while Nuke, Mirage, Ancient, and Anubis had more minor adjustments.

Lydia "PHRISK" Zanotti is credited with the majority of the artistic changes. Coming from Riot's VALORANT art department, some fans first noticed the similarity in style to the competing FPS. Zanotti had initially joined Valve in May 2021 after working at Riot for three years. There she was involved in created Split, Bind, and Ascent.

PHRISK had left Valve following the full release of Counter-Strike 2 to the public. In speaking with Dust2.us, she explained that her decision to leave was entirely her own choice. "It was time for a change," Zanotti had explained. Despite leaving Valve, she continues to work on a new community map, de_dharma, while also spending time at her new job, which is a small startup.

After the initial reveal of Counter-Strike 2, Zanotti tweeted "It was always my dream to work on cs. I'm so proud of my whole team."