Before I finished writing this, Tobias van Schneider shared a poignant and beautifully crafted story about Counter-Strike on his blog, which you can read here. As I read it, it felt like he had pulled the words straight from my heart. I shared the same emotions, experiences, and nostalgia—it was as if I had written it myself. Every word and sentence resonated with me, capturing precisely what I wanted to express.
Counter-Strike has completely shaped my childhood. The best memories and lasting friendships were built in those servers, on those maps, and in every new game I played without expecting anything in return—it was just pure fun.
After more than 20 years of playing Counter-Strike, I now mainly enjoy co-op games rather than competitive ones. Nevertheless, I still view gaming as a joyful experience in my daily life, filled with fun every time I play with friends.