100 Thieves coach ImAPet thinks CSGO badly needs new maps

Professional gaming coach Chet “ImAPet” Singh from 100 Thieves has raised significant concerns about Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s current competitive map selection. His critique highlights a growing sentiment among elite players and strategists that the existing rotation fails to provide adequate tactical diversity.

Through social media channels, ImAPet directly challenged Valve’s map curation strategy, describing the current offerings as lacking excitement while specifically targeting Mirage, Overpass, and Train for removal from active tournament play.

We need 3 new maps in CSGO in the rotation, the current pool isn’t exciting anymore

— 100T Chet Singh (@chetsingh) August 14, 2020

The competitive circuit currently operates with seven designated maps approved for professional matches. According to ImAPet’s analysis, these battlegrounds have maintained their positions for such extended periods that their strategic frameworks have become predictable and repetitive. When questioned about potential replacements, the coach identified Canals as a viable candidate, noting its unique status as one of the few Valve-original map designs.

I think Canals might be decent, not too sure about the rest but open to anything

— 100T Chet Singh (@chetsingh) August 14, 2020

Counter-Strike’s competitive landscape has demonstrated remarkable stability in its map selection since the game’s 2012 debut. Throughout this period, nine distinct maps have seen competitive usage, though only seven receive active rotation at any given time. The inaugural Major tournaments—DreamHack Winter 2013 and ESL Katowice 2014—featured just four available maps, all of which maintain their competitive relevance today: Dust 2, Train, Mirage, Inferno, and Nuke.

With the exception of Mirage, every one of these foundational maps has undergone temporary removal for substantial reworks and redesigns. The competitive ecosystem integrated Cache, Cobblestone, and Overpass during 2014, creating a more diverse tactical environment. Professional teams competed across various combinations of these arenas until Vertigo’s introduction in March 2019 marked the ninth addition to CSGO’s competitive map history.

Community Perspectives on CSGO Map Pool Evolution

Unlike franchise-based shooters such as Call of Duty that refresh their competitive environments annually with new map releases, CSGO maintains strong connections to its classic Counter-Strike origins. While the game’s mechanical systems have evolved dramatically since the early 2000s, many core strategic principles developed decades ago remain effective in today’s meta.

Industry insiders suggested Valve intended to launch a redesigned Aztec version alongside the originally scheduled 2020 ESL One Rio Major. However, the global pandemic forced the Major’s postponement, significantly reducing the probability of Aztec’s return commemorating Brazil’s first Major hosting opportunity.

Significant debate surrounds potential radical changes to the competitive map pool. Proponents argue that introducing fresh battlegrounds enables teams to develop innovative tactics and evolve their strategic approaches. Conversely, opponents frequently note that new map integrations typically result in several months of inconsistent gameplay quality as squads navigate the learning curve.

Want to read more about Valve’s hints about a reworked Aztec coming back to CSGO? Check out our report here.

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