8 Gaming Features That Started Life As Fan Hacks

Now primarily known as a game synonymous with the lucrative world of Esports, Counter-Strike has humble beginnings.

Initially developed as a mod for Half-Life by a pair of university students hoping to improve their job prospects after graduation, Counter-Strike quickly gained a cult following online, and it didn't take long for Valve to take note of the project's burgeoning popularity.

Unlike some companies who are notorious for shutting down fan projects (we're looking at you Nintendo) Valve immediately saw potential in the game and rather than attempting to bankrupt the talented youngsters in court, offered to buy the IP and even offered the developers jobs in the company, which they dutifully accepted.

Since then the franchise has gone from strength to strength, spawning multiple fully-fledged releases and remaining the go-to first-person shooter for anyone looking to test their skills in a competitive environment, or, alternatively, learn some Russian expletives from angry teammates.

Counterstrike's revered status among the premier esports titles would never have been possible without the tireless efforts of those two enthusiastic fans.