Counter-Strike pros write open letter to Valve asking for default female skins, histrionic reaction shows why that's probably a good idea

GamesFPSCounter-Strike 2Counter-Strike pros write open letter to Valve asking for default female skins, histrionic reaction shows why that’s probably a good ideaWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Valve)

The CS2 key art.

“We share the passion for Counter-Strike with millions of gamers world-wide and we love being a part of a truly global community. Unfortunately, we currently feel we are only guests at the party.

“Using a female agent skin costs extra, while default skins are all male. We don’t know why it is so, but we know that it strikes us as being both unfair and a bit unwelcoming. It certainly feels that way and in some way it supports the sexism that we unfortunately still encounter.”

As the letter mentions CS2 does include female agent skins, but they’re all part of previous CS:GO operations and had to be either earned in-game at the time or bought. Female agents available in the game include Lieutenant Farlow, Getaway Sally, Cmdr. Mae Jamison, Special Agent Ava, Chef d’Escadron Rouchard, and Vypa, with some of those having additional variant skins.

However: as is the nature of the CS:GO / CS2 economy, these agents now change hands for money. A quick glance at the community market shows the cheapest female agent would be Mae Jamison (around £7.50/$9) while the undeniably cool Getaway Sally would set you back (£40 / $51). “I do think they are pretty cool,” says Jensen. “but if there were to be added default women agents I would like them to be more casual, like the default male agents.”

The Astralis players' letter mentions sexism still being a part of the CS2 scene. Unfortunately, despite the letter being widely reposted and attracting some considerable support, many of the replies are Counter-Strike players seemingly determined to prove the point. Whether it’s the casual sexism of insisting Valve has bigger priorities with the game or the basement-dwellers personally insulting Jensen and her fellow players' skills, the reaction to this reasonable request proves one of the letter’s key points: this should not be a big deal.

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Valve is first of all Valve, one of the world’s great development studios, and it has plenty of experience designing great female characters, quite apart from the fact it has already designed female agent skins for CS:GO and CS2. It is abundantly capable of implementing this idea, and has already dealt with potential problems like different hitboxes. And more than anything else, looking at some of the community reaction to this letter makes a very good argument that it should. Plenty of reply guys scoff at Jensen’s belief this would attract more women to the game, but in light of that reaction it’s hard to argue with her next point that “at least those of us playing now would feel more welcome.”

The open letter mentions some previous correspondence with Valve in January. I asked Jensen whether the developer had replied: “Unfortunately we have not yet received a reply from Valve,” says Jensen. “So we are still waiting for that.”

Default female agent skins in arguably the world’s biggest and best competitive FPS does not seem like a huge ask. The more I think about it, the more it seems like something that should’ve happened a long time ago.

“There should be no difference between agents,” writes Jensen. “There should be as many free female agents as free male agents.”

I’ve asked Valve for comment, and will update with any response.

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