According to Ars Technica, last month on November 16, a modder named Froddoyo released Project Misriah on the Steam Workshop. This was an ambitious collection aiming to recreate the Halo 3 multiplayer experience inside Valve’s Counter-Strike 2. The mod directly copied character models, maps, sound effects, and movement mechanics from the Microsoft-owned franchise. After gaining significant praise from players, the project was hit with a DMCA complaint from Microsoft last Wednesday. The complaint cited unauthorized use of Halo content, leading to the mod’s removal from Steam. Froddoyo has now confirmed the project is dead and will not be re-uploaded or developed further.
The inevitable takedown
Look, here’s the thing: nobody should be shocked by this. Froddoyo basically admitted the mod was a direct port of Halo 3 assets into a new engine. That’s not just “inspired by,” that’s copying. And while the passion and technical skill are seriously impressive—getting that Halo “feel” in Source 2 is no small feat—it was always a massive legal risk. Microsoft has a clear history here. They’re often cool with transformative, original fan games like Installation 01 that follow their Game Content Usage Rules. But straight-up copying? That’s a line they consistently enforce, as they did with the Halo Online mods.
Who’s in control?
So why does Microsoft care so much about a free mod? It’s not just theoretical. Halo is still a commercial product. They sell The Master Chief Collection and have announced Halo: Campaign Evolved. Letting a high-quality, free version of Halo 3’s multiplayer exist in one of the world’s most popular shooters? That could absolutely cut into their own business. Valve, for its part, has a hands-off policy until a rights holder complains. Then they act, just like they did when Nintendo came after Garry’s Mod. It’s a system that puts all the power in the copyright holder’s hands.
The modding paradox
This creates a real paradox for the modding community. The projects that generate the most excitement are often these direct recreations—the love letters to classic games. They show what’s possible. Froddoyo even said they’ll use the skills learned to “cook up something else.” But that initial burst of attention is also what gets you noticed by the legal department. It’s a brutal lesson: your coolest work might have the shortest lifespan. You can see the creator’s mixed feelings in their social media posts—grateful for the support, but resigned to the reality.
Where do we go from here?
Basically, if you want to play Halo, you play a Halo game Microsoft sells. That’s the bottom line. Passionate modders will keep testing boundaries, and companies will keep protecting their IP. It’s an endless cycle. The real shame is losing these incredible displays of technical artistry. Watching the Project Misriah trailer, you can’t help but be impressed. It was fun while it lasted, as Froddoyo said. But in the corporate gaming world, that’s often all you get.
