Let's
WHEN ART MEETS MAGIC
Let's
kennyS: The Retrospective
In the realm of competitive Counter-Strike, kennyS has cemented his place among the legends. Known off the server for his caustic humor and touching sensitivity, kennyS has ruled the game for years with his unmatched reflexes and accuracy with his signature weapon, the AWP, to the point that legend says Valve nerfed it to offset his supremacy.
His peerless reflexes, masterful precision and iconic actions have combined to create a wonderful engine of emotion and a truly unique universe of lightning and magic. This extraordinary blend inspired us to embark on this journey to immortalize this story forever.
NextGenZ is one of those backroom artisans whose influence has been profound but largely unrecognized. In line with the singular ethos of its developer, Valve, Counter-Strike has always embraced contributions from the community, with enthusiast designers submitting their very own creations to the game. NextGenZ is one of those early adopters, submitting his first weapon skin in December 2013, just 4 months after the introduction of the skin feature.
NextGenZ's keen aesthetic sense, dedication and passion for Counter-Strike has made him one of the most prolific and renowned community designers, with notable hits including the Cyrex, Monster Mashup, Nightwish and Desert Strike collections. Driven by a constant quest to add value to the game, teaming up for a collaboration with a legendary player was an obvious step for him.
9000+
All-time record of AWP kills on LAN
30+
major titles and awards
500+
weapon SKINS submitted to the Workshop
17
weapon skins integrated in CS:GOThis is the story of two CS legends, each with a decade of experience in their own field, joining forces for an unprecedented creative journey.
MAY 2023
Once upon a time, in the romantic city of Paris, a talented designer by the name of NextGenZ attended a prestigious event, the very last Major of the CS:GO era. In the heart of an iconic arena, surrounded by thousands of fans, a legendary player who had massively marked the competitive era of Counter-Strike announced his retirement on the big stage. The air was charged with emotion, and as NextGenZ watched, a spark ignited within him. The moment was so powerful that the artist made up his mind to design a tribute worthy of kennyS' remarkable legacy.
Dec 2023
It took months, but as fate would have it, NextGenZ and kennyS finally crossed paths on the other side of the world, in Abu Dhabi at the BLAST World Finals. Walking through the busy corridors of the arena, NextGenZ met kennyS and instantly shared his dream of creating a tribute to his remarkable journey. They clicked like two aligned stars in the night sky and agreed to explore the idea further over the coming weeks. The MAGICLIGHT project was born.
FEB 2024
As promised, kennyS and NextGenZ began a series of meetings and workshops in mid-January. Behind the discussions about kennyS' views, taste in design and the legacy he hoped to leave to the community, kennyS was genuinely interested in the process of creating a weapon skin. In addition to these conversations, NextGenZ solicited the thoughts of the community and interviewed kennyS' friends to capture the finest nuances of his character. Together they wove a tapestry of creativity, blending their ideas into a brilliant and resonant creation.
MAY 2024
After days of work and a few back-and-forths, their magical creation was finally finished. Our duo was proud and excited to submit their masterpiece to the workshop. But in the end, they chose to unveil this tribute on the one-year anniversary of kennyS' retirement, as a fitting tribute to his storied career. While this journey has been a wonderful experience for both of them, the circle is not yet complete: the ultimate goal is to see this artwork become part of the game. For this to happen, the interest and support of the community is priceless, which is why we are happy to introduce you to the story and process behind this project.
In an age where stories unfold and shine through the digital world, a new chapter begins with the revelation of a unique artefact - let us introduce you to the AWP | MAGICLIGHT
Discover the essence of the AWP | MAGICLIGHT through the lens of kennyS' legendary attributes.
The AWP is a mythical weapon, every blast echoing like thunder from the most violent of storms. Beyond the sound, a cinematic symphony of light spreads through the skin as the bullet leaves the chamber at full speed. Like the pulsing energy that runs through kennyS' veins during a game, this light represents his electrifying presence on the server. Every shot, every move is a stunning testament to his mastery, making every moment emotionally charged.
The most powerful lightning bolts, with their intense electrical charge, always carry a significant blue hue in their spectrum. This blue is as powerful and intense as the emotion that flows from kennyS's most spectacular flicks. Blue also evokes the cold, surgical nature of his game, striking fear into the hearts of his opponents and leaving them frozen in awe.
What better metaphor than lightning to capture the speed and power of kennyS' most breathtaking shots? Lightning also encapsulates the genius that infuses many of his masterful clutches, executed with the dexterity of a magician. Just as a bolt of lightning strikes with frightening speed, kennyS' gameplay has always been characterized by swift, decisive actions that leave his spectators speechless.
