Counter-Strike 2 details: Release window, features, maps

Last week, after a whole bunch of not-so-subtle teasing and rumours, Valve officially revealed Counter-Strike 2 to the world. Yes, it is finally happening, with the game running on the Source 2 engine. Here’s what you need to know about Counter-Strike 2…

Counter-Strike 2 details revealed

First of all, Counter-Strike 2 is scheduled to launch sometime “this summer” which is winter for South Africans. An exact release date is not currently known. What we do know is that there is a limited closed beta test underway, with some players receiving invites, but there’s no way to guarantee a spot.

Counter-Strike 2 is a free upgrade to CS:GO, and all your skins will carry over, but they will be improved with lighting and materials thanks to the Source 2 engine.  Counter-Strike 2 sounds have also been reworked to better reflect the physical environment, be more distinct, and express more game state. They have also been rebalanced for a more comfortable listening experience.

Arguably the biggest draw, however, is the sub-tick server updates, instead of the woeful tick rate in CS:GO. Valve explains:

“Sub-tick updates are the heart of Counter-Strike 2. Previously, the server only evaluated the world in discrete time intervals (called ticks). Thanks to Counter-Strike 2’s sub-tick update architecture, servers know the exact instant that motion starts, a shot is fired, or a ‘nade is thrown.

As a result, regardless of tick rate, your moving and shooting will be equally responsive and your grenades will always land the same way.”

Another biggy is that Smoke Grenades are now dynamic volumetric objects that interact with the environment and react to lighting, gunfire, and explosions.

Further, there are UI improvements, gameplay adjustments, reworked maps and much more on the way for Counter-Strike 2 fans.

You can learn more about CS2 via the game’s official website.

Header image via Valve.