Counter-Strike is a legendary shooter that has captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands of gamers worldwide. Recently, Valve officially announced that they are continuing the game's lineup. The release of CS 2 is planned for the near future, and closed beta testing is already underway. Perhaps you could be one of the participants in it. In this article, we will tell you everything that is currently known about Counter-Strike 2.

When Will Counter-Strike 2 Be Released

If you're truly a CS fan and follow the project's news on Twitter, you probably already know about the development of the second installment of the legendary shooter. The initial attempts to create a new version of the game were made three years ago. On March 22, 2023, Valve officially announced the planned release of Counter-Strike 2. This installment might be called CS: Global Offensive 2.

The exact release date of the project is unknown. Presumably, CS 2 will be released at the end of summer 2023. If that doesn't happen, the official release can be expected in autumn, between October 22 and November 22.

Above is a Twitter post with the official announcement from Valve.

How to Participate in the Counter-Strike 2 Beta Testing

The CS 2 beta test started on March 22. This is a closed event with a strictly limited number of participants. Valve issues invitations based on various factors:

• Total time spent by the user in CS: GO;
• Profile data (violations, warnings, reports, loyalty);
• Current state of the Steam profile.

These are just a few of the criteria that are used to select users for the Counter-Strike 2 beta testing. They are the main ones. If a gamer has a VAC-ban on their Steam profile, they will definitely not be invited to participate in the beta testing of the new version of the legendary shooter. The same applies to users who repeatedly violate the terms of the user agreement and have received numerous reports for inappropriate behavior in the game.

How to Know if You've Been Invited to the Beta Testing

All gamers who have passed Valve's selection and gained access to the CS 2 beta testing will see a distinctive notification when entering CS: GO. It will offer them a link to the page with the new version of the series and prompt them to download it to their device. After downloading the data, they'll need to enter CS and click the "Limited Test" button.

Beta Test Features

We've compiled the most frequently asked questions about the CS 2 beta testing from users and provided answers to them:

• Which game modes will be available? – In the closed testing, you can play only the Deathmatch and Unranked Competitive Matching modes.
• Can CS: GO skins be used in the beta? – No. The CS 2 beta test does not allow the use of skins, stickers, and other decorative items from the collection of the first version of the shooter.
• Can you stream during the beta testing? – Yes. Valve does not prohibit streaming gameplay during the closed testing of CS 2. Users can create videos and screenshots and share them online.
• Which maps are available? – Currently, there's only one map available. It's called Dust2.

These are not all the questions gamers have about the closed beta testing of CS 2. The presented questions cover only the most common ones, allowing you to understand some of the peculiarities of the process.

Leaks of CS 2: Screenshots, Smokes, and Other Features

CS 2 features an entirely new engine – Source 2. This developer tool will replace the previous version, Source, and will streamline the development process. Thanks to the new engine, it's possible to eliminate additional manipulations when creating skins and maps, which will positively impact the release of Counter-Strike 2. Source 2 also stands out for:

• More efficient interaction with Vulkan and DirectX. This positively affects software performance;
• Better audio and voice processing;
• Faster implementation of corrections in the gameplay.

The new engine allows for better refinement and implementation of various mechanics – grenade throws, their behavior upon impact, and so on. But this is far from the only difference from CSGO.

Improved Maps

The maps in CS 2 will be updated! They will have an entirely new rendering that affects reflections, particles, shadows, and lighting. The game will now look even more realistic. Here's how the Nuke map looks compared to CSGO.

Next, here's what the popular Dust 2 map looks like.

And finally, the Overpass map.

Visual Effects

To enhance the visuals on the screen, CS 2 developers have added new visual effects to their project. Flashes, water ripples, fire flickering, and other animations will become more dynamic, smooth, and pleasing. These changes will help detect opponents and plan further actions more effectively.

Valve has decided to pay special attention to the bullet impact points and the placement of bloodstains. Splatters will now align with the direction of the shot. And over time, they will fade!

Skins

Skins from the Counter-Strike collection will be successfully transferred to the second version of the shooter. This will happen after the completion of closed beta testing and the transition to open testing. In CS 2, all the contents of the gamer's inventory will be transferred. Users will also have a chance to obtain new decorations with more detailed design.

In the game files, data miners have discovered information about two new knife skins. They managed to uncover details about the addition of two clothing decorations – shoe skins and pants. This is possible because in CS 2, users will be able to see the lower part of their character. There have been no official statements from Valve regarding this matter yet. Glove skins were also discovered in the game files, so it's possible that appearances for shoes and pants are also on the horizon.

Old skins will become clearer and more vibrant. Developers will enhance them using new lighting and material quality improvement technologies. The appearance of weapons and character models has not been forgotten either. All of this makes the new part of the game more beautiful and realistic.

Dynamic Smoke Grenades

CS 2 will feature an entirely new mechanic for smoke grenades. The continuation of the iconic shooter will present them as dynamic volumetric objects that interact with the environment and react to it.

Here are a few features of how smoke grenades behave:

• Smoke won't mix with smoke from other grenades;
• Smoke grenades cast more realistic shadows;
• Smoke adapts completely to the environment: it repels from vertical surfaces, seeps through cracks and windows, flows down stairs, and so on.

It sounds good, but some beta testers were dissatisfied with the innovations. For example, Ilya Osipov (also known as M0nesy) stated that smokes will lose their significance now.

Tickrate

Tickrate will lose its relevance in CS 2. In the new version, the movements, shooting, and other activities will not depend on the server update frequency. Developers plan to introduce a sub-tickrate structure with Counter-Strike 2, through which the server instantly records even the slightest actions of gamers. This will help eliminate certain issues, including situations where a user seemingly doesn't hit an opponent even though the shot was lined up perfectly.

Accessibility of CS 2 for Those Banned in CS: GO

In Steam, users often inquire whether the new game installment will be accessible to those who are banned in CS: GO. If a gamer has earned a permanent ban, bad news awaits them. Access to Valve's new release will be blocked for such a user.

Developers have stated that all violations and punishments from the first version of the shooter will be applied to the second as well. They are transferred just like the gamer's inventory. If the block in CS: GO is temporary, playing the second version of the project will be possible after the punishment period ends.