Counter-Strike 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the popular game, is set to be released this summer in the US. Powered by the Source 2 engine, which was also used for Half-Life: Alyx, the game will be offered as a free upgrade to existing CS:GO players. Limited testing for CS2 is already underway and select players will be notified through a special message on the CS:GO main menu.
Described as the “largest technical leap forward in Counter-Strike’s history,” CS2 brings numerous visual and technical enhancements, with more improvements to come. The leak of recent Nvidia driver updates that added support for ‘cs2.exe’ and ‘csgo2.exe’ earlier this month further fueled the excitement.
Valve, the developer of the game, has released a series of videos addressing the differences between CS2 and CS:GO. The classic maps like Dust 2, Inferno, Train, and others have been visually upgraded with improved lighting, resulting in better reflections and shadows. These enhancements are made possible by the new Source 2 lighting, which features a “physically based rendering system.” Additionally, the oldest maps have been rebuilt from scratch using the Source 2 tools, providing a fresh aesthetic. These tools will also be available to community map makers, allowing them to experiment with textures and lighting.
One of the defining features of Counter-Strike is its precise gunplay, which relies on evaluating movement and shooting in specific time intervals or ticks. In CS:GO, the tick rate was hard-locked to 64hz on official servers, although players could increase it to 128hz on third-party servers for a more streamlined competitive experience. Counter-Strike 2 introduces a new sub-tick architecture that eliminates the need for tick rate. The server can now accurately calculate players’ actions between ticks, resulting in a more responsive experience.
Smokes in CS2 have also received upgrades. They now create volumetric 3D fogs that interact with the environment and physical obstructions, expanding naturally to fill spaces and sometimes seeping through broken windows. Gunfire and explosive grenades can manipulate the shape of the smoke cloud, and its impact realistically clears the smoke. Players will also be pleased to know that their CS:GO inventories, including weapon skins and stickers, will be carried over to CS2 and benefit from the Source 2 engine’s improved lighting and high-resolution models. Furthermore, the game features more realistic gore, enhanced ragdoll effects, and improvements to the user interface.
If you’re eager to gain access to the limited test of Counter-Strike 2, Valve follows a selection process based on factors such as Steam profile standing, recent playtime on official servers, ban history, and “trust factor.” Selected players will receive a notification on the CS:GO main menu, prompting them to enroll and initiate the download. Valve plans to gradually add more players to the limited test, so it’s recommended to regularly check the main menu for updates. It’s important to note that there are no third-party websites or beta testing keys for accessing CS2’s limited test.
While CS:GO and CS2 will both be available to players, they can only play with others on the same version. XP earned in the limited test will carry over to CS:GO, and competitive cooldowns will apply to both versions. It’s worth mentioning that accounts with VAC or game bans in CS:GO will not be able to play Counter-Strike 2 on VAC-secured servers.
Counter-Strike 2 is set to release this summer on PC, specifically in the American summer months (June-August).
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
