Launched in August 2012, CS:GO has continually increased in popularity. Alongside this growth, its skins market has developed into a billion-dollar industry with prices skyrocketing into unexpected thresholds. Let's dive deep into the different factors that make CS2 skins so expensive.
Valve recently announced the upgrade of CS:GO to their new engine Source 2, which will go by CS2. This upgrade means improved graphics and technical features, creating massive hype around the game and its skins. Investors predict a surge in skins demand with the release of CS2 and the influx of new players, driving prices even higher.
Rare Skins
CS2 skins are highly diverse, with some being exponentially rarer and more desirable than others. Rarity is primarily determined by the skin’s grade and the likelihood of it being dropped during gameplay or case opening. Special patterns further add to a skin’s value, with some being unimaginably rare like blue-gem Case Hardened knives, which can fetch up to $2 million. This concept of valuable CS2 skins is very similar to why some cars or watches are extremely expensive compared to the rest.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impact
The global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly increased the prices of CS:GO skins. With worldwide lockdowns, people turned to online gaming for entertainment, leading to a surge in demand for in-game items, including CS2 skins. This heightened demand, against a relatively stable supply, resulted in escalated prices, transforming the CS2 skins market into a lucrative venture for sellers and a pricier hobby for collectors and gamers.
China's Interest
China has emerged as a game-changing force in the CS2 skins market, contributing significantly to the demand and subsequent price hikes. The increase in middle-class spending in China and the popularizing eSports scene have led to an increase in CS2 and its skins. Chinese collectors and gamers are willing to spend considerable amounts on rare and high-quality skins, intensifying competition and driving prices even higher in the global marketplace.
Factors That Influence The Price of CS2 Skins
Now that we’ve seen just how expensive some CS2 skins can be, let's explore the key factors that affect the price of any CS2 skin out there:
1. Rarity
If a skin can be found or unboxed easily, its value automatically drops by a huge margin. Knives are generally costlier than Covert skins, which in turn are costlier than Classified skins. Skins that can no longer be unboxed or dropped, like the Medusa, Dragon Lore, or Howl, are much rarer, and their price tags reflect their rarity.
2. Attractiveness
Many CS2 players buy skins to play with them. Skins that look attractive or have features that make them stand out in-game are costlier than normal skins. These "Play Skins" are often bought by professional players for tournament games.
3. Special Variants
CS2 skins have special variants that are much rarer than their usual counterparts. StatTrak™ skins and Souvenir skins are costlier because they are harder to obtain. When unboxing cases, players have a small chance to get the StatTrak variant, while Souvenir skins can be obtained by unboxing Souvenir boxes from major tournaments.
4. Value as an Investment
Some people buy CS2 skins as investments with no intent of playing with them. Certain skins and sticker capsules can be better and safer investments due to their limited availability and high demand.
5. Liquidity
Liquidity is crucial when purchasing CS2 skins. Some items are always in demand, making them easier to sell, whereas less liquid items might sit in your inventory for a long time before finding a buyer.
Conclusion
The world of CS2 skins can be shocking to the average person and even to seasoned gamers. The various layers of detail in CS2 skins take years to fully understand. However, the primary reasons for the high prices of CS2 skins include rarity, attractiveness, special variants, investment value, and liquidity. Understanding these factors can help players make informed decisions when buying or selling CS2 skins.
Whether you're looking to flex your wealth in-game, make a smart investment, or simply enjoy the aesthetics of a rare skin, the CS2 skins market offers opportunities for everyone. Just remember that the price tags on CS2 skins are constantly changing, and investing in them always carries some risk.
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