Counter-Strike 2: Everything you need to know

CS2:

We have gotten HUGE update news for CS:GO! Counter-Strike 2 is on its way! You may even be able to play the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test (beta) right now - open your CS:GO and check if you have an invitation available!

CS 2, or well… Counter-Strike with Source 2 is announced for (most likely) summer 2023. But seeing as this is “Valve Time”, don’t be too excited just yet.

Nonetheless, let us check out all we got! We have quite a bit of information and footage revolving around Counter-Strike 2.

Major changes in CS2

Smoke grenades:

Smoke grenades now interact with the environment!
By that, we mean that they are now a 3D object that looks more coherent and alive.
And one way smokes appear to be a thing of the past entirely!
The smoke cloud can also be pushed around, blown up, and destroyed by explosions, for example by a HE grenade, and even pierced through with bullets!
That means that you have to be extra careful when spraying recklessly through the smoke. Your enemies might spot your head for that!

The smoke is also regenerating from the blast as well as your bullets. It just takes a few seconds to go back to normal.

Tickrate:

The Tickrate will apparently be a thing of the past! Sub-Tick updates will apparently be in CS2. This means when you input your command, the action will be calculated and happen in real-time! No more waiting, lagging, or feeling like your opponent has an advantage over you.

Maps:

For map makers, we have a big relief! In Counter-Strike 2 you can FINALLY stray away from the old Hammer editor! CS has promised that community map makers will have an easier time making maps and using the cool, fresh, and new Source 2 features. Such as the water reflections, futuristic lighting, and even an overhaul of many materials.

The Maps

All maps in Counter-Strike 2 have a new look. But those looks differ from each other.
Valve took three different approaches for how they have been upgraded for Counter-Strike 2.

Touchstone: Improved lighting and graphics.

Upgrades: New source 2 lighting and realistic materials and reflections.

Overhaul: The oldest maps have been fully rebuilt from the ground up in Source 2.

CS2 and CSGO compared

Here are examples of how a “Touchstone map”, an “Upgraded map”, and an “Overhauled map” look in CS2 and CSGO respectively:

Click to see more of the maps*

Dust II (Touchstone map):

Nuke (Upgraded map):

Overpass (Overhauled map):

Your skins in CS2

Similar to how Overwatch 1 and 2 did it, you keep all of your skins and your inventory. So all your expensive items or your nice crafts stay the same. With a little twist to them:
the developers stated that some items might profit a lot from this upgrade in terms of lighting and graphics. So we are very excited to see all of the skins in Source 2!

Players are especially hyped about the Printstream family with its nice pearlescent effect, as well as doppler gems like the Ruby, which seems to benefit from the new lighting!

Here are some skins in the hands of agents in CS2.

Conclusion

Even though the summer is not that far away, with news like this it feels like it is eons away. We are truly excited to play CS2, to experience more and a new Counter-Strike. Will CS2 be what CS:GO was for CS 1.6? Will we ever go or look back?

Everything is written in the stars. The only thing that is clear is that many skin prices have gone really crazy and possibly will keep on doing so in the following months after this huge announcement when more people get the ability to play the beta, and eventually the full release of Counter-Strike 2.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. Finally, rumors are rumors no longer!
This is Counter-Strike.