The CS.MONEY blog is back with a new series of interviews with skin creators! This time, The Gallery Case creator’s skin is in the spotlight.
Today we welcome Kioshimyo and Maloo, creators of the MAC-10 Saiba Oni. Dedicated fans of intricate yet stunning designs, these people are true people of art. Their Workshop page shines with a stunning collection of futuristic leather, but they also pay homage to Eastern culture in their works. Something tells us, we’ll be seeing more coming to CS2 soon. Read CS.MONEY exclusives!

Let’s start with today’s main role: Saiba Oni. Tell us how you decided to create it, where the idea came from, and so on. The whole story behind it.
Dry: 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 panic, thinking back to when you developed the idea. I remember joking around a lot with Kio and not taking this design seriously at first.
Cyberpunk has always been one of my favorite art styles. I’ve studied it for years, fascinated by its dark, sombre colors combined with bright neon colors. Two years ago, I drew an ONDECO skin on the P250—a fairly simple design featuring a Japanese demon mask in grey-red. I didn’t think much about it at the time.
Kio: When we started working together, I suggested that Mal repeat ONDECO’s design for the new Source 2 machine. As I studied the skin, an idea came to my mind: what if we combined traditional Japanese culture with a futuristic, Sci-Fi, cyberpunk twist? That’s where the concept of the mechanical ronin “Ozaki” was born. We even started developing this collection as a comic book with ronin stories.



Dry: To be honest, I wasn’t completely sure, but I thought, why not give it a try? Our main goal is to create amazing designs for AK-47 and AWP. MAC-10 and FAMAS were added as teasers for the collection. For the ronin mask, I used my favorite drawing style—vector polylines—to convey anxiety and aggression while hiding secrets about the main character in the design. We also created a corporate identity, including a logo and cyberpunk-style typography for the word “ronin.”
Kio: Mal originally wanted everything to be matte, but I suggested using a metallic texture to take advantage of the new engine. It took some convincing, but Mal ended up liking the effect. Now, we have five skins in the Saiba Oni collection: MAC-10, FAMAS, AK-47, SSG08, and AWP. Each one is unique, with no repeating designs. We even created a cyberpunk style city for the collection trailer.

About Inspiration and the Creative Process
What inspires you as an artist when creating skins?
Kio: Inspiration can come from anywhere: a fleeting thought, a movie, a TV show, a book, a poster, or even conversations with people around me. There’s a lot to take in.
Dry: For me, it’s the game itself. I’m not a very skilled player, but I like CS. I watch championships, play almost every day, and enjoy everything from the maps to the stickers and music. Valve’s freedom to be creative and humorous approach to content really inspires me.
What do you think about your skin covered in stickers and charms?
Dry: I love its charm; they don’t overlap the design and look cool. Stickers are a personal choice—if someone wants to cover the entire design, I’m glad they enjoy it.
Kio: This is a fantastic addition from the developers! This opens up endless customization possibilities, allowing players to create something truly unique.

Why did you choose to make a skin for CS2 over other games like Dota 2? Do you often play CS yourself?
Kio: Counter-Strike has been with me since childhood. I started with 1.6 in computer club because I didn’t have a computer or internet at home. We spent all day at the club playing CS. Finally, I got my own PC, and the first game I installed was CS 1.6. Then, with CS:Source, I discovered custom skins, which felt revolutionary at the time.
Currently, I don’t play very often due to work and family matters, but I will always play when I have the opportunity.
Dry: I started playing Counter-Strike in 2001 and started designing skins in 2018. It’s my favorite game—like a lifelong partner! Thinking about designing another game felt disloyal, like cheating on my “wife.”

Favorite Skins and Achievements
Which skin are you most proud of?
Dry: I’m proud of all my skins, but PP-Bizon Space Cat is special. This is dedicated to my first cat, Billy, who passed away in 2004. Rest in peace, naughty Billy.

Kio: I’m proud of all our work, but Biomorph and Saiba Oni are especially close to my heart. Seeing my designs in the game was surreal—it was one of the happiest moments of my life.
What about your favorite skins from other creators?
Dry: Apple’s Fever Dream, Blazer’s Neo-Noir, and Glock-18 Moonrise are some of my favorites. My top choice? AWP Graphite.
Kio: AZIMOV and M4A1-S Hyper Beast Collection. It is a timeless masterpiece.

Community of Future Artists and Ideas
Q: Are you friends with other skinmakers?
Dry: Yes, I am friends with Apel and MG Bazz. The leather making community is full of talented and creative people. We sometimes cross paths and exchange ideas online.
Q: What thematic cases would you like to see in CS2?
Kio: I’d like to see cases inspired by ancient civilizations, such as Greek, Sumerian, or cosmic themes. Why not?
Dry: Cases voted on by the community would be great. But honestly, I love any form of content update.



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