Ninjas in Pyjamas, one of the leading esports teams in Sweden, started a big petition directed to Valve to bring Cache back in Counter-Strike 2 competitive. Although Cache has not been in the Active Duty pool since 2019, it remains beloved by fans and professionals alike. The original creator created an updated version of Cache which remains inactive for official play.
Community Support and Nostalgia
An organisation wrote an open letter to the developer of the game in a playful way. As of now, it is getting momentum. And game’s fans showed their interest to bring back Cache in tournaments. Ninjas in Pyjamas noted that Cache is a favorite among the Counter-Strike community that is strategic, fun, and competitive at the same time.
They also said Cache should come back (with various pronunciations jokingly given), and this would not only see a massive increase in the number of returning players but would also give players a break from the overplayed Mirage. The campaign had a light feel but a serious community like Cache’s return. The demand for this community’s return has been ongoing for a year.
Changes in the Map Pool
Valve’s change to the Active Duty pool introduced an Overpass swap for Anubis that added some variety to CS:GO maps. However, many fans are still calling for Mirage to be replaced by Cache. Still, Cache has not come back, and people are still waiting for it to come back.
Cache’s Competitive Legacy
Cache has witnessed some of the most memorable moments in competitive Counter-Strike, including Oleksandr ‘S1mple’ Kostyliev’s 1v2 no-scope clutch against Fnatic at ESL One Cologne 2016. However, with the launch of Counter-Strike 2 in September 2023, Cache has not been played in a single official tournament as it is absent from the current map pool.
What’s Next for Cache?
Despite the passionate pleas of fanatics and professional players, Valve hasn’t made any statements regarding Cache or its status for top-level competition. The current petition highlights the power of the Cache fanbase and the staying power of the classic Counter-Strike maps. At this point in time, the future of Cache in CS2 esports remains hotly contested.