Counter-Strike 2: A Revolutionary Update to the Beloved CS:GO Game -

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The popular first-person shooter game Counter-Strike 2 will make the biggest technical leap forward in its history when it launches this summer, according to Valve. All of the game’s new features will be made public when it makes its official debut later this year, as Valve has promised ongoing updates and new features for years to come. However, a Limited Test for a select group of CS:GO players kicks off the development of Counter-Strike 2 today.

Today we're excited to announce Counter-Strike 2. Counter-Strike 2 is an overhaul to every system, every piece of content, and every part of the C-S experience. First, let's talk about smoke grenades: pic.twitter.com/iTtguRHJ0S
— CS2 (@CounterStrike) March 22, 2023

In order to work out any kinks before the general release, Valve will be testing a subset of the features. Players are urged to develop their load-outs, hone their skills, and get ready for what comes next as Counter-Strike 2 will be released this summer as a free upgrade to CS:GO.

How to be chosen for the official Counter-Strike 2 playable test has been described by Valve. The Counter-Strike 2 development team chooses players based on a number of criteria, such as recent play on Valve official servers, trustworthiness, and Steam account standing. You will see a notification on the CSGO main menu if you have been chosen. The small test will gradually include more participants. CSGO will continue to be accessible and playable while the Counter-Strike 2 test is ongoing.

A person playing Counter Strike — A person playing Counter-Strike

With Source 2, all of the CSGO maps have been completely redesigned with brand-new visuals. Three groups have been established for maps. An overpass is one of the “Overhaul” maps that Source 2 completely rebuilt from scratch. ‘Upgrade’ maps have been updated using Source 2’s lighting and physics technology while keeping the geography from CSGO. It is official that Nuke is an Upgrade map. Last but not least, “Touchstone” maps like the iconic Dust 2 are used to highlight some of the visual differences between CSGO and CS2. These maps have undergone a slight update to some effects and textures but otherwise haven’t changed at all.

Location, location, location. Maps in Counter-Strike are core to the game, and maps in Counter-Strike 2 are being improved in every way: pic.twitter.com/P4oMQslaKB
— CS2 (@CounterStrike) March 22, 2023

The Counter-Strike 2 community map makers will have access to all of the Source 2 rendering tools and features. Lighting and other dynamic effects have also been rebuilt, along with the physics of smoke. Now that smoke can be shot through, the environments are filled with it more realistically. The overall CS2 experience will be much smoother as movement and shooting will no longer be impacted by server tick rate.

Along with physics items and the entire Counter-Strike UI, the audio has been updated. Even though the limited test is only accessible to a select few players, it will give Valve the opportunity to polish some of CS2’s features prior to the launch in the summer of 2023. The official Counter-Strike 2 website is also accessible to players.

Players are selected for the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test based on a number of factors deemed important by the Counter-Strike 2 development team, including (but not limited to) recent playtime on Valve official servers, trust factor, and Steam account standing.
— CS2 (@CounterStrike) March 22, 2023

It’s time to get those CSGO crosshairs and start grinding those CSGO ranks for those who want to stay on top of the game. When Counter-Strike 2 is released, players don’t want to be left behind. So get ready for the exciting updates and new features coming to the Counter-Strike universe this summer.