Our exclusive interview with a Counter-Strike 2 artist who created art for one of our latest Limited Edition gaming mousepads.
Luke "lmtlss" Millanta is an Australian-based digital artist and curator. He has been involved in creating art and content for Counter-Strike. He is also a Guinness World Record-holding game designer who creates custom content for games such as Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and the Payday franchise.
The QcK L LMTLSS Edition from SteelSeries has been inspired by Millanta's popular CYPUNK collection of Counter-Strike maps. You can find his collection of Counter Strike maps showcased on his Steam profile.
Interview with Luke "lmtlss" Millanta
How did you get into Counter-Strike?
I started playing Counter-Strike in 2005, after a friend introduced me to the game at a birthday party. From there I was hooked – sneaking out of school to go to a local internet café and playing in every community tournament in the Sydney area.
When did you decide to connect the passions of art with CS?
I discovered the Steam Workshop in 2014. The idea that I could combine my love of art with the game that I had grown up with was incredibly exciting.
How do you start the process of creating a map for CS?
The first step in the process is to conceptualize what you want to build, this involves sketching out major map components, planning what custom textures and assets need to be created, working out what scripting, etc. Ensuring you have a set plan in place is incredibly important. It keeps you focused.
If you have a cool idea, build it. There are no wrong answers.
How would you describe your style?
Gosh, that is a hard one.. I obviously enjoy the cyberpunk style, hence our collaboration, but I think most of my in-game creations would best be described as minimalist or featuring more of a flat art style.
What are you most passionate about currently?
I have taken a step back from game design in recent months to focus on other art projects. I recently curated a collection of 100 AI generated art pieces for an exhibit, Friend or Foe, that was launched as part of the opening of Australian government’s national AI week. I love to combine art with technology with a goal of educating the audience or promoting discussion around a certain topic.
What advice do you have for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
If you have a cool idea, build it. There are no wrong answers. It is important to have an organized approach to things, although I feel this is true of anything in life. For example, when I am first starting a project, I like to plan out a concept of what I want to build. This involves sketching out model designs and some basic blueprints. I find this keeps me on track, especially when I am working on a project with a lot of moving parts, or when working as part of a team. Then, I build. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few months, depending on the size of the project.
Once I have something I am happy with, I search of quality feedback. If this is a game project, I have a small group who I give access to. If this is something else, like for an art exhibit, I will organize for a group of people (preferably who I don’t know) to sit and view the works. Getting good feedback is a must, this is how I know what to tweak and improve, which ultimately allows me to create something great.
What's your next CS creation? Can you give us some sneak peek?
I am currently working on a major update for CSStats, a popular training map that I co-launched last November. With 1.3 million subscribers, I have a lot of suggestions to read and work through, but an update is certainly on the way.
Make sure to get the QcK L LMTLSS Edition while supplies last!
Find Luke "lmtlss" Millanta on LinkedIn.
