Counter-Strike 2: Release Date, Price, Beta Test, New Features, and More

After weeks of the rumor mill speculating its existence, Valve lastly introduced Counter-Strike 2, an overhaul to the critically acclaimed FPS shooter sport Counter-Strike: GO (or CS:GO). The announcement, achieved in probably the most Valve-way potential, the corporate shared a number of movies showcasing the adjustments, additions, and the whole lot else that helps modernize the aggressive FPS title. So if you’re curious to know what all is new in CS2, you’ve gotten come to the fitting place. In this text, we now have compiled all the data that Counter-Strike followers and newcomers have to know concerning the successor to the FPS sport that began all of it.

Counter-Strike 2: All You Need to Know (2023)

The existence of Counter-Strike 2, popularly known as CS 2, was the gossip of the city when Valve began updating the CS:GO database on Steam. Over the week, the official Counter-Strike Twitter began teasing the title by altering the banner and even sharing cryptic tweets. All of those actions indicated {that a} sequel to the hit shooter is imminent. And chaos ensued when the announcement lastly got here. So, we now have info-dumped all the main adjustments coming to Counter-Strike 2 right here:

Counter-Strike 2 Release Date

Right off the bat, allow us to make it clear that we don’t have a precise launch date for Counter-Strike 2 simply but. Valve has solely introduced that CS2 will launch someday in Summer 2023. That means the sport will launch someday between May to June however could possibly be delayed if some added polish and bug-squashing is required on the final second.

While the sport launch continues to be a couple of months away, some fortunate gamers – if chosen for the restricted check – can already expertise CS2 and provides suggestions on the brand new function upgrades. Keep studying to discover ways to get entry to the Counter-Strike 2 beta check later on this information.

Counter-Strike 2 Price & Platforms

As per the official FAQ web page, Valve has confirmed that Counter Strike 2 might be a free-to-play sport. It is an engine overhaul to Valve’s new Source 2 engine, which brings numerous graphical and gameplay options to an in any other case wonderful sport. Moreover, for these unaware, CS:GO was beforehand a paid sport (costing $14.99) however adopted a free-to-play mannequin in 2018. Counter-Strike 2 can even undertake the free-to-play mannequin and ship an update to present CS:GO gamers, because it has achieved within the beta check.

As for the supported platforms, Counter-Strike 2 is just out there on PC proper now. Valve has not confirmed its plans to port the sport to consoles, be it the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, simply but. So, bookmark this web page and revisit it for normal updates on the scenario.

CS2 vs CS:GO: What’s New In Counter-Strike 2

Since Counter-Strike 2 will utterly substitute CS:GO when it formally releases later this 12 months, it brings many new and welcoming adjustments to one of the well-liked FPS video games to this point. We have listed among the distinguished new options right here, however you possibly can head to our devoted information on the most effective new options in Counter-Strike 2 to be taught more. That mentioned, let’s have a look at this transient rundown of recent options in CS2:

Better Lighting and Visuals (Source 2)

The largest change Counter Strike 2 goals to deliver is a change to the lighting and visuals. Valve made the unique CSGO within the then Source engine, which powered well-liked titles like Portal 2, Half-Life 2, and more. With Counter-Strike 2, Valve is using its new Source 2 engine, which has been used to make titles such because the VR hit Half-Life: Alyx, DoTA: Underworlds, and Artifact.

Because of Source 2, CS2 will function new lighting, together with a bodily primarily based rendering system. This permits them to supply sensible supplies, lighting, and reflection. Old maps at the moment are higher lit at locations the place it was darkish and has correct reflections. The official web site reveals the stark distinction between the previous vs new maps in Counter-Strike 2.

Map Rework and Overhauls

Of course, given the lighting and engine adjustments, one would count on adjustments to the maps, and Valve didn’t disappoint. With Counter-Strike 2, Valve is upgrading among the hottest CS:GO maps using the brand new Source 2 mild engine. However, drastically altering maps for a aggressive sport would possibly depart a bitter after-taste within the mouth of the fanbase, therefore, the builders are approaching it in a different way.

For CS2, the map reworks have been divided into three classes – Touchstone, Upgrades, and Overhauls.

• Touchstones are the legacy basis maps everybody has come to like and adore. These maps are match normal and include gameplay adjustments, graphics, and lighting updates. Apart from that, these maps are untouched and intact. Dust 2 and Mirage are two examples.
• Upgrades class consists of the maps which have gotten the Source 2 facelift. These maps have Source 2’s physically-based rendering system, leading to improved lighting, textures, and reflections. Nuke and Ancient are proven using this.
• Overhaul refers back to the maps which have been utterly remade for CS2p. These are the oldest maps within the sport which have stood the check of time. Overpass is among the maps proven to get a whole overhaul.

Additionally, Valve states individuals who take pleasure in creating maps will obtain the map-making instruments, permitting them to experiment to their coronary heart’s content material.

Smoke Has Been Reworked

In CS:GO, smokes have been one-way and static. What it means is that terrorists and counter-terrorists noticed various things via the smoke from their views. Moreover, the smoke solely occupied a hard and fast level on the map. In Counter-Strike 2, the builders have reworked how the smoke interacts with objects and behaves on the map. Thanks to the Source 2 engine, the smokes at the moment are volumetric.

What it means is that the smoke will naturally refill the area, and every participant will see the identical quantity of smoke no matter place. Additionally, the smokes now react to lighting, and bullets passing via can carve and alter its form. Not solely bullets, grenades will utterly dissipate the smoke clouds for a couple of seconds, supplying you with an opportunity to launch a shock assault on the enemy.

The smoke rework utterly adjustments how the sport works, giving gamers more choices to battle towards one another, even when a wall of smoke blocks their imaginative and prescient.

New Sub-Tick System in CS2

If you’ve gotten been a CS:GO participant for a very long time, you’ll know that Counter Strike employs 64-tick servers. The tick system ensures the sport identifies your motion and capturing in discreet time intervals. While Valve claims that the time intervals have been non-existent, giving gamers a responsive expertise, additionally they declare that generally a millisecond delay did happen at occasions.

With Counter-Strike 2, Valve has revamped the server tick idea and constructed upon it. The upcoming sport will use a sub-tick system, the place the server will perceive when the participant is shifting and capturing, giving elevated precision to their gameplay. Whatever the participant does one thing in-game, the server will exactly calculate the tick and act appropriately.

This change removes the participant’s reliance on third-party shoppers like FaceIt and SoStronk for greater tick-rate servers for gameplay, corresponding to 128 tick-rate servers.

How to Access Counter-Strike 2 Limited Beta Test

As for now, the builders are internet hosting a restricted beta check for CS2, the place previous and current gamers are having access to the sport. Valve is selecting gamers primarily based on their Steam profile standing, playtime, and participant expertise. As such, anybody can get entry to the CS2 beta, if the system deems them worthy of attempting the upcoming title. To be taught more about how to entry the Counter-Strike 2 restricted beta check, undergo our devoted information linked right here.

Will My In-Game Items and Gun Skins Transfer to CS2?

One factor the builders have dedicated of their announcement is that gamers will have the ability to carry ahead present CS: GO gadgets — gun skins — to the upcoming Counter-Strike 2 title. CS:GO presumably has one of many largest in-game marketplaces, the place you should purchase and unload skins usually. This system even led to the rise of third-party pores and skin shops, the place you possibly can promote their CS: GO skins for real-life cash.

Fortunately, Counter-Strike 2 gamers can simply entry their present skins and gloves in-game at their comfort. As the upcoming sport is primarily an engine improve, Valve additionally talked about that the skins themselves have acquired the Source 2 remedy. All the weapon skins and gadgets have gotten a facelift and are already dwell within the beta check. So, when you get entry to the beta check, you possibly can take a look at what your older skins seem like in Source 2 lightning.

CS2 Launch is Ready to Shake Things Up

It has been years since we now have acquired any substantial improve or a sequel to an FPS shooter. While well-liked shooters like Valorant and battle royale video games like Apex Legends took over the scene, the introduction of Counter-Strike 2 undoubtedly shakes issues up. Not solely are these adjustments a welcome addition, however they can even create some memorable moments in CS historical past. Are you excited to check out the sport? Let us know within the feedback under.