Counter-Strike 2 is coming!

Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test

Counter-Strike 2 will be released in Summer of 2023. Until then a "Limited Test" will be held. Players, based on several factors like recent playtime on Valve official servers, trust factor and account standing. The players can test the new game in Deathmatch and Unranked Competitive matches. Workshop maps and community servers are not supported temporarily, but will be available later on.

Moving Beyond Tick Rate

The tick rate of official CS:GO Matchmaking Server always has been discussed in the CS:GO community. While third party Matchmaking services like FaceIt and ESEA always provided the superior 128 tick system, Valves official servers were always on 64 tick.

That is about to change in the upcoming Counter-Strike 2:

In Counter-Strike 2 there will be sub-tick updates. That means the actual tick rate of the game server won't matter at all in the context of gameplay. When before it was possible for certain actions in the game to occur between single tickrates, now it's supposed to be measured and register as quickly as possible and this should result in very smooth gameplay.

Leveling Up The World

Valve took 3 approaches to transferring the maps over to the new game:

1. Touchstone

These are the classic maps that everyone who plays CS:GO knows and loves. They have not been changed besides improvements to lighting and looks.

2. Upgrade

New Source 2 lighting is implemented in several maps. This produces realistic material and reflections.

3. Overhauls

The oldest maps have been fully rebuilt with modern Source 2 tools. These tools will also be available for community map creators.

Responsive Smokes

Smokegrenades have always been a cornerstone of team tactics. In Counter-Strike 2 smokes have been evolved:

They now create volumetric 3D objects that exist in the world. They interact with the surrounding. Smokes can be blown away with HE-grenades, can be shot through to create temporary holes and react to lighting.

Your Items In a Whole New Light

All your skins will in fact benefit from the new Source 2 engine, as well! All stock weapons have been upgraded with high-resolution models, and some weapon finishes take advantage of these new models. See the video below for an impressive showcase:

Hi-Def VFX

Water, explosions, fire, smoke, muzzle flashes, bullet tracers, impact effects, and more. Source 2 will significantly improve the visual experience of the game and from UI to gameplay, all visual effects have been reimagined.

The Gameplay visuals in Counter-Strike 2 have been redesigned with readability in mind: bullet impacts can easily be viewed at a distance for example. The environmental effects are completely overhauled: explosions, fire, C4 lighting and more will be critically improved with the Source 2 engine and provide users with improved fidelity and greater consistency.

The UI in Counter-Strike 2 has gotten a complete overhaul as well, including fresh visual effects throughout the HUD. Also, the audio in Counter-Strike 2 has been reworked, rebalanced and reverbed. The sounds should then reflect the physical environment better, be more distinct, and express more game state, as well as provide a more comfortable listening experience in general.