Valve is quite strict about the selection of skins that move from the Workshop to official cases. There is a set of rules that weapon textures must meet to be included in the game. However, these requirements are not always met. Here are a few stories about CS:GO skins that made the cut by sheer circumstance. Yet, this does not prevent them from looking quite remarkable!
One of the requirements set by Valve is the prohibition of monochrome designs, and this seems logical, as a CS:GO skin made using only one paint would look quite boring. Nevertheless, there is an entire series called Whiteout in CS:GO, which includes skins for MP7, P250, and USP-S, released from 2013 to 2022. All of them are painted exclusively in white. However, they were not selected from the Workshop but added by Valve themselves, so it turns out that the developers broke their own rules.
Another rule that skinmakers must follow to pass selection is the prohibition on gold items. Valve explains this by stating that there are already enough items with such a design, and they can appear in the game only on special occasions. For example, the golden FAMAS Commemoration was released to commemorate the twelfth anniversary of the game. An exception to this rule was the AK-47 Gold Arabesque, included in the "Dust 2 2021" collection, although there were no significant dates or other special occasions for this. Apparently, it just appealed to those who were selecting content for this case.
To make it into the official version of the game, a skin must not use images from others. By setting this requirement, Valve protects itself from potential copyright issues. A unique story happened with the M4A4 Howl. It appeared in the game in May 2014, but a few weeks later, it was discovered that the designer had used someone else's work. As a result, the developers were forced to update the skin's appearance, replacing the image with an original one. However, the skin for M4A4 was eventually removed—only those copies that were already in the game at that time remained. As a result, it became one of the rarest items.
Another criterion mentioned in the official FAQ about skin selection is originality. The finish should reflect the designer's creative approach. However, it happens that the same finish or pattern is used in several skins. Mocking the above principle is the Fade series, which includes more than twenty items, all painted using the same gradient. They indeed look impressive, but it's hard to call this original.
Valve also sets a requirement that skins must match the overall atmosphere and style of the game. Therefore, skins that have a "non-serious" look and make weapons resemble toys usually don't make it into official cases. An unexpected exception against this background is the AUG Akihabara Accept with an anime girl on the stock.
Of course, the fact that these skins deviate from Valve's formal rules does not mean they are in any way inferior. On the contrary, if they were selected and ended up in the game, it means the developers considered them worthy of it. Indeed, many players still want to enrich their collection with them to stand out from the crowd. If you are among them, at Lis-Skins you can purchase these and other skins at an attractive price.