The Story of Pool Day - The Legendary Return in CS2

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Counter-Strike has always featured many memorable competitive maps. Locations like Dust2, Inferno, and Nuke are well-known to both professional players and casual gamers. However, there is one CS2 map that, despite never appearing in professional tournaments, has become legendary.

Pool Day (or fy_pool_day) is the quintessential public server map in CS 1.6, a place where all Counter-Strike enthusiasts spent their childhoods.

The map has a straightforward structure. This simplicity made it legendary.

CS2 Pool Day was released during the Counter-Strike 1.6 era, when casual players weren't as interested in serious 5v5 matches. Smaller, fun locations with constant shootouts were more popular, such as the well-known Mansion. Mapmaker Squall, who created Pool Day, understood the audience's love for these intimate arenas and focused on continuous action rather than strategy.

The full name of the map is fy_pool_day. The prefix "fy" stands for "Fight Yard," a mode requiring no deep knowledge of Counter-Strike. Such maps are usually very simple and symmetrical, with firefights starting within seconds of the round beginning.

In this mode, the buy button is disabled—guns are available right at the spawn. The team that first eliminates all opponents wins the round. Typically, these maps have one plant site, but players usually ignore it due to the constant action. Essentially, it's a type of aim map, but faster and more exciting.

Because of its simplicity, Pool Day became incredibly popular among CS players. It was played in computer clubs and at LAN parties, and some community servers hosted the map around the clock. Over time, Pool Day was ported to CS: Source, where it solidified its status as one of the iconic locations in shooter history, even though it never made it into the official map pool.

The First CS Map Pool: Remembering the Classics

The map nearly made it into CS:GO, but the release was canceled two hours before the operation's launch.

The CS map nearly made it into CS:GO, but the release was canceled two hours before the operation's launch.

In 2012, Valve released Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Enthusiasts immediately began working on Pool Day for CS:GO, even though the game didn't yet support the workshop. A new version of the map was created by a mapmaker with the unpronounceable nickname Leplubodeslapin, who also made the main aim map in CS:GO—aim_map. Once Valve added the workshop to Global Offensive, the creator published the map on Steam. It stayed in the top two most popular user locations for two years.

Valve planned to regularly add new content to CS:GO, so a year after release, they launched the first operation—Operation Payback. Along with it, they intended to bring back several classic maps from 1.6 and Source that fans loved, like the legendary Thunder.

Pool Day was also set to appear in CS:GO following the operation's release. The developers liked the map and contacted the remake creator, offering optimization advice and requesting the removal of the floor weapons. A preview image of Pool Day can still be found on Valve's official website.

Unfortunately, the map never officially appeared in Global Offensive. The reason was simple—the rights to the location still belonged to Squall, the creator of the CS 1.6 version, and Valve couldn't reach him. Developers waited for his response until the last moment, removing the map from the operation just two hours before release.

Remake creator Leplubodeslapin was long disappointed with Valve's decision, especially after operations became very popular in CS:GO. Nonetheless, his career turned out well—he was invited to Arkane Studios, where he worked on level design for the shooter Deathloop.

Pool Day is now in CS2! The map has a switch that activates the CS 1.6 version.

Two months after the CS2 release, the first version of Pool Day appeared in the workshop. Leplubodeslapin uploaded it, writing, "I hope the map will be in the game someday, but the competition in the workshop is very tough."

The map benefited from Source 2's capabilities: new lighting and water effects, and more detailed environments, but the basic idea remained the same.

Pool Day officially appeared with the June 26 CS2 update. The map is available in the Arms Race mode.

Several new features:

• There is a trampoline in the central pool that makes the model jump higher than usual.

• Inflatable toys that can be popped by shooting or stabbing them.

• Grenades thrown into vent openings are teleported to another nearby vent opening.

• A secret switch to switch to CS 1.6 graphics!

This last feature is not a joke; it's the main and extraordinarily unique (where else have you seen this?) feature of the map. During a match, you can switch to a more familiar, old-school setting.

Pool Day on Farmskins

Farmskins, known for its diverse game cases, delights users with an update. Gamers can enjoy the vibrant "Pool Day" event, which introduces fresh and exciting cases.

This summer, Farmskins added five new cases, each reflecting the atmosphere of a hot summer day by the pool. Surf Ava, Agent Flamingo, Doctor Summer, Swimming Day, and Miami are now available and waiting for you in the updated Gaben’s Store.

These CS2 cases are filled with unique items that will lift your spirits and let you immerse yourself in a summer atmosphere right from your computer screen. Check out Farmskins Gaben’s Store to try your luck and enjoy the new cases inspired by poolside summer fun!

Diving into Pool Day Cases:

★ Flip Knife | Tiger Tooth from Surf Ava Case

Price: $525

Persian-style folding sports knives with an arrowhead-shaped blade and very sharp edges. While the blade may be brittle, the knife itself is surprisingly durable. Anodized in orange with a hand-engraved tiger stripe pattern. Rare and deadly like a tiger.

Desert Eagle | Blaze from Agent Flamingo Case

Price: $650

The expensive and powerful Desert Eagle is an iconic pistol that is hard to master but surprisingly accurate at long distances. The flame design was applied with transparent paint over the chrome base.

★ M9 Bayonet | Bright Water from Doctor Summer Case

Price: $760

This is an M-9 bayonet. Initially designed for attachment to a rifle, it is also great for close combat. The blue camo pattern was applied using hydrographics.

★ Sport Gloves | Superconductor from Swimming Day Case

Price: $1070

Synthetic fabric makes these gloves durable and attractive. These black-and-blue gloves are perfect for those who want to shock their opponents. Your enemy won't want to mess with you.

★ Karambit | Fade from Miami Case

Price: $2975

The Karambit is a knife with a curved blade that mimics a tiger's claw, designed for Southeast Asian martial art silat. The knife is usually held in a reverse grip, with the index finger inserted into the ring on the handle. The body is coated with a chrome base and painted with a spray in semi-transparent, gradually blending colors.