Counter-Strike 2 Everything We Know Release Date, Platforms, And Everything Else

Exciting news for fans of Valve’s tactical team-based shooter! Counter-Strike 2 has been announced as the official evolution of CS:GO, promising a major revamp that combines familiar gameplay with slick new technologies. While still in its early phase of testing, Valve has shared plenty of details about the game and what players can expect when Counter-Strike 2 launches.

As of now, Valve is targeting a release date in Summer 2023, although no specific date has been set. A closed beta is currently underway, with a select group of players helping to fine-tune the experience before the wider release. The beta access is prioritized for veteran players who have dedicated a significant amount of time to CS:GO and possess a high trust factor while maintaining good standing with their Steam accounts. If you meet these criteria, there’s a good chance you’ll receive an invite to the beta over the next few months.

One question on the minds of many players is whether they can carry over their items from CS:GO to Counter-Strike 2. The good news is that Valve has confirmed you can “bring your entire CS:GO inventory with you to Counter-Strike 2.” Not only that, but each skin will receive an upgrade thanks to Source 2, offering a current-gen polish that enhances their appearance.

Tick rates, which determine how often the server updates to reflect in-game actions, are also being fine-tuned in Counter-Strike 2 with sub-tick updates. Valve explains that this new approach means “tick rate no longer matters for moving, shooting, or throwing,” resulting in near-instantaneous actions. The goal is to level the playing field and create a fair online competition environment for all players.

Maps in Counter-Strike 2 will see various changes based on three categories as the game transitions to the Source 2 engine. Touchstone maps will remain virtually identical to their CS:GO counterparts but with upgraded lighting. Examples include classics like Dust2, which will remain unchanged. Upgraded Maps will feature visual improvements to textures, materials, and lighting while keeping their original layouts and designs intact. Overhauled Maps are entirely rebuilt levels in Source 2, featuring all the visual upgrades of the engine along with some additional objects and technical enhancements.

Smoke grenades have undergone a significant overhaul in Counter-Strike 2. Valve has implemented a new “volumetric smoke” technology that interacts with the environment and reacts to lighting, gunfire, and explosions. These dynamic smoke grenades not only provide more tactical opportunities but also offer improved visual and gameplay experiences in Counter-Strike 2.

The best part? Counter-Strike 2 will be available at no cost when it officially launches. Similar to the original game, Counter-Strike 2 will be a free-to-play title and will serve as a free upgrade for existing CS:GO players.

At present, Counter-Strike 2 is exclusively planned for PC, and Valve has not made any announcements regarding console ports.