Valve’s new CS2 ‘Call to Arms-ory’ update offers up to $35,000 payouts for future weapon skins, stickers and charms

Valve has now issued a direct “Call to Arms-ory” in Counter-Strike 2, urging its sprawling community of weapon skin creators to create new stickers and skins based on Arabian art, Arabian mythology, spy-themed, and even fruits and vegetables. Sweetening the pot, Valve promises rewards of up to $35,000 for every accepted weapon skin.

Valve made this announcement via a post on the Counter-Strike website. The company teased that these new skins would arrive in a “future update” that could land in upcoming cases or transition into the previously off-limits Armory, a $15.99 battle pass system that launched back in October of 2024.

The new update introduces “optional Supplemental Terms” for new Workshop submissions for Counter-Strike 2. Instead of the traditional revenue system via case sales, Valve will permanently license a creator’s skin or decal with a one-time payout. 

Valve has announced flat fees set at “Weapon finish: $35,000 USD,” “Sticker: $6,000 USD,” and “Charm: $6,000 USD.” However, creators can choose between a revenue-share model for potential long-term earnings from skins that go viral or a guaranteed check from Valve.

In the post, Valve stated, “If a Steam account agrees to these new Supplemental Terms, all of the account’s Workshop items can now be distributed where Community items were previously not available, such as The Armory.”

Valve also added the Dr. Boom charm model, which can be customized and submitted for approval in a future community charm collection, along with a new Paint Kit called Custom Paint Job Extended, which allows users to apply iridescence effects and more.

Users looking to make skin submissions are required to use the overhauled Counter-Strike 2 workshop, select “Enlistment” under Call to Arms, and tag submissions accordingly. Artists can also re-upload their existing Steam Workshop skins to qualify.

Members of the CS2 community are debating whether $35,000 upfront is a good deal. Some players argue that an average skin in a case will make more revenue over time.

Skin submissions are already pouring in. This new update could mark a significant change in CS2’s creator ecosystem, guaranteeing upfront paydays for new and veteran skin artists.

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