The Gallery Case Skin Creators Interviews: MAC-10 Saiba Oni by Maloo & Kio

CS.MONEY Blog returns with a fresh series of interviews with skin creators! This time, The Gallery Case skin creators are in the spotlight.

Today we welcome Kioshimyo and Maloo, the creators of MAC-10 Saiba Oni. Dedicated fans of complex yet stunning designs, these guys are true people of art. Their Workshop pages shine with mesmerising collections of futuristic skins, but they also pay tribute to Eastern cultures in works. Something tells us, we’re going to see more of them coming to CS2 soon. Read the CS.MONEY exclusive!

MAC-10 Saiba Oni and The Style

Let’s start with today’s leading role: Saiba Oni. Tell us how you came up with the decision to create it, where the idea came from, and so on. The whole story behind it.

Maloo: Every skin I work on has its own story — it’s an integral part of the creative process. It’s funny because when your design is accepted into the game, you rewind the chat in euphoria and happy panic, revisiting the moment you developed the idea. I remember joking a lot with Kio and not taking this design seriously at first.

Cyberpunk has always been one of my favorite art styles. I’ve been studying it for years, fascinated by its dark and gloomy tones combined with bright neon colors. Two years ago, I drew the ONDECO skin on the P250—a fairly simple design featuring a Japanese demon mask in gray-red tones. I didn’t think much of it back then.

Kio: When we started working together, I suggested that Mal redo the ONDECO design for the new Source 2 engine. As I studied the skin, an idea struck me: what if we merge traditional Japanese culture with a futuristic, Sci-Fi, cyberpunk twist? That’s how the concept of the mechanical ronin “Ozaki” was born. We even started developing this collection as a comic book with the ronin’s story.

Maloo: Honestly, I wasn’t fully convinced, but I thought, why not give it a try? Our main goal was to create incredible designs for the AK-47 and AWP. The MAC-10 and FAMAS were added as teasers for the collection. For the ronin’s mask, I used my favorite drawing style—vector polylines—to convey anxiety and aggression while hiding a secret about the main character within the design. We also crafted a corporate identity, including a logo and cyberpunk-style typography for the word “ronin.”

Kio: Mal initially wanted everything to be matte, but I suggested using metallic textures to take advantage of the new engine. It took some convincing, but Mal eventually liked the effect. Now, we’ve got five skins in the Saiba Oni collection: MAC-10, FAMAS, AK-47, SSG08, and AWP. Each one is unique, with no repetitive designs. We even created a cyberpunk-style city for the collection’s trailer.

On Inspiration and the Creative Process

What inspires you as artists when creating skins?

Kio: Inspiration can come from anywhere: a fleeting thought, movies, TV shows, books, posters, or even conversations with people around me. There’s so much to draw from.

Maloo: For me, it’s the game itself. I’m not a highly skilled player, but I love CS. I watch championships, play almost daily, and enjoy everything from maps to stickers and music. The freedom to be creative and Valve’s humorous approach to content inspire me greatly.

What do you think about your skin being filled with stickers and charms?

Maloo: I like the charms; they don’t overlap the design and look cool. Stickers are a personal choice—if someone wants to cover the entire design, I’m just glad they’re enjoying it.

Kio: It’s a fantastic addition by the developers! It opens up endless customization possibilities, allowing players to create something truly unique.

Why did you choose to create skins for CS2 instead of other games like Dota 2? Do you play a lot of CS yourself?

Kio: Counter-Strike has been with me since childhood. I started with 1.6 in computer clubs because I didn’t have a computer or internet at home. We’d spend entire days at the club playing CS. Eventually, I got my own PC, and the first game I installed was CS 1.6. Later, with CS: Source, I discovered custom skins, which felt revolutionary at the time.

Nowadays, I don’t play as much due to work and family commitments, but I’ll always jump in when I get the chance.

Maloo: I started playing Counter-Strike in 2001 and began designing skins in 2018. It’s my favorite game—like a lifelong partner! Thinking about designing for other games feels disloyal, like cheating on my “wife.”

Favorite Skins and Achievements

Which skin are you most proud of?

Maloo: I’m proud of all my skins, but the PP-Bizon Space Cat is special. It’s dedicated to my first cat, Billy, who passed away in 2004. Rest in peace, cheeky Billy.

Kio: I’m proud of all our work, but Biomorph and Saiba Oni are particularly close to my heart. Seeing my designs in the game is surreal—it’s one of the happiest moments of my life.

What about your favorite skins from other creators?

Maloo: Fever Dream by Apel, Neo-Noir by Blazer, and Glock-18 Moonrise are some of my favorites. My top pick? AWP Graphite.

Kio: The AZIMOV collection and M4A1-S Hyper Beast. They’re timeless masterpieces.

The Artist Community and Future Ideas

Q: Are you friends with other skinmakers?

Maloo: Yes, I’m friends with Apel and MG Bazz. The skinmaking community is full of talented, creative people. We sometimes cross paths and exchange ideas online.

Q: What thematic case would you like to see in CS2?

Kio: I’d love to see a case inspired by ancient civilizations, like Greek, Sumerian, or cosmic themes. Why not?

Maloo: A community-voted case would be awesome. But honestly, I love any form of content updates.

Maloo and Kio’s Saiba Oni collection isn’t just a series of skins—it’s a testament to their creativity and passion for Counter-Strike. From cyberpunk inspirations to heartfelt dedications, their journey showcases the artistry behind CS2’s vibrant skin-making community.