Counter-Strike 2 was released on September 27, 2023 on Steam, free of charge. It replaces CS:GO and features redesigned maps as well as a completely overhauled physics system.
When is CS2 coming out?
The official release date of Counter-Strike 2 is September 27, 2023, exactly eleven years later Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The game is free-to-play and available directly at Steam, free of charge.
Valve has officially replaced CS:GO with this new version on the very day of its release. Players who already owned CS:GO saw their library Steam updated automatically.
What is Counter-Strike 2?
Counter-Strike 2 is a FPS multiplayer game developed by Valve. This is a direct continuation of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, one of the most popular video games in the history of Gaming PCs.
The game retains the essence of Counter-Strike : 5-on-5 battles, a precise shooting system, and maps familiar to the entire community. Valve did not set out to revolutionize everything. The goal was to bring the experience up to date with a modern engine.
Counter-Strike has existed since 2000. With this new version, Valve offers a visual and technical experience that meets today's video game standards.
Timeline: From Announcement to Release
Valve announced Counter-Strike 2 in march 2023. A limited beta was launched shortly thereafter to test the game under real-world conditions.
In july 2023, Valve has expanded beta access to a larger number of players. New maps were added to the beta in July 2023, allowing players to test the new features of the motor Source 2. Valve released several beta updates in July 2023 to refine the physics and lighting. Player feedback during that period directly influenced the final adjustments.
Beginning August 2023, the beta has ended. Valve then confirmed the release date official for the September 27, 2023 on Steam. The launch took place as scheduled, without any delays.
The free-to-play model and Prime status
Counter-Strike 2 is free-to-play : You can download it and play for free. It's the same business model as CS:GO since 2018.
However, there is a status Prime, available for purchase or unlockable by reaching level 21 in the game. This status grants access to matches with verified players, which reduces the number of cheaters. Exclusive skins and drops are also reserved for accounts Prime.
If you already had that status Prime on CS:GO, it was automatically preserved during the upgrade to the new version.
The New Changes Introduced by CS2
The most noticeable change is the motor Source 2. Valve uses it to improve the graphics and directly modify the gameplay. The new smoke management system This is the most striking example: the clouds react dynamically to the players' actions.
All the iconic cards of Counter-Strike were revised by Valve To take advantage of this new engine:
- Nuke and Overpass, completely redone
- Dust 2, the iconic menu, with redesigned lighting
- Anubis and Ancient, included in the competitive pool
In terms of pace, the length of the matches has been shortened. We're switching to the MR12 instead of the MR15, for shorter, more intense battles.
If you had just come from CS:GO, good news: your skins and your inventory were automatically transferred through your account Steam. On the other hand, the Rankings and competitive statistics have been reset at launch.
System Requirements for Playing CS2
Counter-Strike 2 is available only on computer, via Steam. There is no console version or mobile mode.
Here are the configurations recommended by Valve :
- Minimum configuration: Intel Core i5-750 / AMD Phenom II X4 965, 8 GB of RAM, GeForce GTX 970 Where AMD R9 290X, Windows 10 64-bit
- Recommended configuration: Intel Core i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, 16 GB of RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Where AMD RX 6800 XT
The game is not available on Nintendo Switch or on consoles. Valve has not announced an alternative version at this time.
How to Improve in Counter-Strike 2
If you want to make rapid progress, check out the list of ranks in CS2 (formerly CS:GO) to learn how the ranking system works.
You can also check out Critical Strike, a similar mobile app with its own gift codes to redeem. Have you tried it yet? CS2 ? Leave your comments below.
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