Hold onto your headsets and ready your weapons, as Valve has just unveiled the highly anticipated Counter-Strike 2 for PC! Set to release this summer, this thrilling game will be offered as a free upgrade to existing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players.
But wait, there’s more! A select few lucky players will have the chance to participate in a Limited Test, where they will be handpicked based on various factors deemed crucial by the Counter-Strike 2 development team. Want to know more? Check out the full FAQ available here.
Don’t miss out on the action! Be the first to know all the juicy details straight from the official website. Get ready to lock and load for an unforgettable gaming experience!
About
Get ready to witness the biggest technical breakthrough in the history of Counter-Strike, as Counter-Strike 2 promises to bring forth a multitude of new features and updates that will redefine the gaming experience for years to come.
While the full extent of its groundbreaking features will be revealed upon its official launch this summer, the journey towards Counter-Strike 2 begins today with a select group of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players being offered a Limited Test. This testing phase will help us fine-tune a subset of features and identify any issues before the global release.
Counter-Strike 2 is set to arrive this summer as a free upgrade to existing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players. So, gear up and sharpen your skills, as you prepare to take on the latest evolution of the game!
Read on to discover some of the awe-inspiring features that you can expect in the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test.
Responsive Smokes
Prepare to be blown away by the revolutionary new Smoke Grenades in Counter-Strike 2! These dynamic volumetric objects are no longer static and interact with the environment in unprecedented ways, reacting to lighting, gunfire, and even explosions.
The gameplay experience has been elevated to new heights, as Smoke now interacts with other events, presenting players with new tactical opportunities. With bullets and HE grenades able to push smoke, sightlines can be briefly cleared or occlusion expanded.
And that’s not all! Smoke now naturally expands to fill spaces, flowing out of open doorways and broken windows, seeping up and down stairs, and combining with other smokes in long corridors.
To add to the realism, smoke particles in Counter-Strike 2 react to lighting, working with the unified lighting system to produce more accurate and natural light and color.
Are you excited yet? Get ready to be immersed in a whole new world of tactical gameplay with Counter-Strike 2’s dynamic Smoke Grenades!
Moving Beyond Tick Rate
Say goodbye to tick rate concerns in Counter-Strike 2! Whether you’re moving, shooting, or throwing grenades, sub-tick updates are the new norm.
Gone are the days of discrete time intervals, as Counter-Strike 2’s sub-tick update architecture ensures that servers are aware of every motion, shot, and grenade throw, regardless of tick rate. This level of precision means that your gameplay experience is equally responsive, no matter what the tick rate may be.
Thanks to this breakthrough technology, you can now focus on honing your skills and perfecting your strategies, without worrying about the tick rate. In Counter-Strike 2, you can be sure that your moving, shooting, and grenade throws will always be accurate and responsive, taking your gameplay to the next level.
Leveling Up the World
Get ready to experience a whole new world of Counter-Strike maps in Counter-Strike 2! From full overhauls to upgrades and touchstones, these maps are cleaner, brighter, and better than ever before.
Fully rebuilt from the ground up using the new Source 2 tools and rendering features, the overhauled maps are a sight to behold. With upgraded lighting that includes a physically based rendering system, these maps produce realistic materials, lighting, and reflections.
For players who want a familiar touchstone, classic maps with solid foundations have been retained, allowing players to evaluate the gameplay changes from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to Counter-Strike 2. While these maps have been upgraded with improvements to lighting and character read, they remain unchanged in terms of layout.
And that’s not all! The Source 2 tools and rendering features will be available for community map makers to create their own custom maps, making it easier to build, experiment and iterate. And stay tuned for the Source 2 Item Workshop, which will be available later on in the limited test, providing even more possibilities for customization and creativity.
Your Items in a Whole New Light
Why start from scratch in Counter-Strike 2 when you can bring your entire Counter-Strike: Global Offensive inventory with you? That’s right, all the items you’ve collected over the years will be available in Counter-Strike 2, and they’ll look better than ever before with the new Source 2 lighting and materials.
Not only will your legacy models and finishes be supported, but all stock weapons have been upgraded with high-resolution models, taking advantage of the latest technology. Plus, some weapon finishes have been specially designed to showcase the full potential of these new models.
So, whether you’re a long-time player with a vast collection of items or a newcomer looking to build up your inventory, Counter-Strike 2 has got you covered. Bring your favorite weapons and skins into the new game and experience them like never before, with stunning graphics and improved visual effects.
Hi-Def VFX
Get ready to experience Counter-Strike like never before, as all of the visual effects have been completely reimagined in Counter-Strike 2. With the power of Source 2 lighting and particle systems, everything from water to bullet tracers has been given a fresh new look and behavior.
But it’s not just about looking pretty – the most critical gameplay visuals have been redesigned with readability in mind. Bullet impacts are now easier to see at a distance, and directional blood impacts fade over time, providing you with more information as you navigate through the world.
The environment effects in Counter-Strike 2 have also been completely reauthored, using the latest technology to create stunning explosions, fire, and lighting effects. And with a fully redesigned UI featuring new visual effects throughout the HUD, you’ll always know exactly what’s happening in the game.
So get ready to immerse yourself in the world of Counter-Strike like never before, with stunning visuals and improved gameplay features that will keep you coming back for more.
Accurate Audio
Counter-Strike 2’s audio experience has been given a complete overhaul, with sound effects that are more true to life, clearer and better distinguishable, and more informative of the game’s state. The audio has also been rebalanced to ensure a more pleasant and comfortable listening experience for players. Additionally, the game’s music has been reverbed for a more immersive and impactful sound. Get ready to hear every shot fired and every footstep taken like never before!
There’s More to Come
The Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test is just the beginning. While we’re testing only a subset of the game’s features, this summer’s full release will unveil everything that Counter-Strike 2 has to offer. We’re holding our cards close to our chest for now, but rest assured, there’s plenty of excitement in store. Keep your eyes peeled for the big reveal in a few months, and get ready to experience the ultimate evolution of Counter-Strike!
