I was just checking out steam and came across a project that is being green lit on steam. Its called Murder Miners. The game, originally for Xbox and now coming to PC, is an FPS that has Minecraft like graphics and allows for destructible objects. What caught my attention is they have very blatant and intentional remakes/copies of Halo and Counter-strike maps, the comparisons are in the promotional trailer. I wondering if they: 1) got permission beforehand to copy the maps, 2) copied the maps and got permission afterwards, 3) just did without permission 4) its different enough not to violate any intellectual property laws 5) something else...

They got green-lit on steam which I assume owns the rights to counter-strike and its published on Microsoft's Xbox marketplace (Microsoft I believe owns the rights to Halo).

Murder Miners - Steam link

Why worry about it?

If any of the rights holders feel there is an issue, they will take it up with them. Most likely with a cease and desist letter.

I'm guessing #3.

#4 isn't really a thing -- if your work is derived from someone else's, then it doesn't matter how much you modify it, it's still a derivative work.

However, copyright over general level design isn't as black and white as say, copying a specific texture or mesh file. It's closer to trying to prove infringement in a novel because they used the same plot devices, settings and character archetypes as you.

That said, I really doubt that Microsoft or Valve would bother suing them for copyright infringement, if that's what they've done, because there's not much point. No financial harm has come to MS/Valve as a result of this rip-off, and it would be bad press for them to be seen to be attacking indies over useless lawsuits like that. Also, the copying of the map design is probably meant as a homage - it's a compliment that CS and Halo have good map design

Also, the copying of the map design is probably meant as a homage - it's a compliment that CS and Halo have good map design

There's only so many good, competitive, multiplayer map designs anyways. The basic spacial structures show up all the time with different window dressing to make them appear to be different.

Also, the copying of the map design is probably meant as a homage - it's a compliment that CS and Halo have good map design

There's only so many good, competitive, multiplayer map designs anyways. The basic spacial structures show up all the time with different window dressing to make them appear to be different.

That might be true but the level of window dressing here is extremely minimal.