The Overwatch System in CS:GO has established itself as a key element in the battle against cheaters. The system allows selected members of the Counter-Strike community, known as Investigators, to review game recordings suspected of cheating or hacking. These Investigators then vote to determine whether the suspect violated the rules based on their experience and the evidence observed.

Given the significant success of Overwatch in CS:GO and its importance in maintaining game fairness, questions arise about its future in the upcoming CS2. Considering Valve's commitment to innovation and improving the gaming experience, it is logical to assume that a renewed or modified version of Overwatch may appear in the new version of the game.

This could include more advanced analysis tools for Investigators, improved algorithms for detecting suspicious actions, and closer integration with the game's overall security system.

Today, we will discuss whether Overwatch in CS:GO was really successful and whether it will return in CS2.

How did Overwatch work in CS:GO?

Let's start from the beginning. Imagine there is a player nicknamed X who played with cheats and disrupted the enjoyment of regular players. Then these regular players report him. After which his demo, in which he received the most reports, goes into the Overwatch system.

However, looking deeper, each player needs to accumulate a different number of reports to enter the Overwatch system, as we all have a different Trust Factor. For a player with the lowest Trust Factor points to enter the Overwatch system, they just need to get about 5 reports per game.

Meanwhile, a player with a good Trust Factor score will need 10 reports per match. The principle is clear: the higher the Trust Factor, the more reports needed to enter the Overwatch system, and vice versa.

After X's demo enters the Overwatch system, it is simply stored on Valve's server for further review. What happens next?

A regular player who decides to help Valve in the fight against cheaters downloads this demo through a special menu in CS:GO. It is important to note that not all players had access to this mechanism, but more on that later.

Next, the player watches X's demo, which lasts about 10 minutes, and at the end, makes a verdict based on several parameters. Namely:

• Was there aim assistance (Aim)?
• Was there detection assistance (Wall-hack)?
• Other auxiliary means?
• Hindering normal gameplay?

After that, you need to press the "Deliver Verdict" button, and it's done. Along with our chosen Inspector, X's demo is reviewed by several other people, after which the system will choose the punishment for the player.

Punishment Measures for Cheaters through the Overwatch System in CS:GO

There were only two types of punishment that a player could receive through Patrol, namely: Up to 40 days of ban for minor violations, i.e., inappropriate behavior, hindering the normal gameplay process. Or a Permanent ban for using cheats.

It is important to note that a permanent ban is not a VAC ban, but it also cannot be lifted.

Requirements for Access to Overwatch in CS:GO

And here are the criteria needed to gain access to the Overwatch system in CS:GO:

• At least 300 hours played in Counter-Strike
• 150 wins in competitive mode
• A rank not lower than Gold Nova I
• A minimum of violations
• No VAC bans

Why Didn't Overwatch in CS:GO Gain Much Popularity?

The answer is simple. Players who spend their time reviewing demos for verdicts get nothing in return. You spend more than 15 minutes of life helping Valve developers, but you get nothing for it.

Players repeatedly asked Valve to add some rewards in the form of skins or just cases. But all efforts were in vain, and gradually players visited this module less and less. Due to this, Overwatch in CS:GO almost completely lost its popularity.

Will Overwatch be added to Counter-Strike 2?

The Overwatch system in CS:GO has earned a reputation as a fantastic and innovative community management system, serving as a reliable protection against negative player behaviour. In CS2, the game continues to actively fight against cheaters, hackers, and smurfs, although it is recognized that it is impossible to completely eliminate their appearance. The Overwatch system allows players to independently control their community, which strengthens the sense of unity and pride among the fans.

At the same time, as of the writing, it is unclear whether the Overwatch system will be included in the Counter-Strike 2 update. Despite the release of CS2, the Overwatch system has not yet been implemented.

However, considering that many elements of CS:GO have been adapted for CS2, often with minor changes, while retaining the main mechanics and systems, it can be assumed that the Overwatch system may appear in CS2 in the future, possibly in an updated or modified form.

There were earlier rumours about the appearance of a new AI-based Anti-Cheat system, but there is no confirmation of this information yet. However, if this is the case, then Overwatch simply will not be needed. Perhaps this is why it is not being added to Counter-Strike 2.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is limited information regarding the inclusion of the Overwatch system in CS2 and whether it will be implemented in the future. However, considering the retention of some elements from CS:GO, as well as the presence of similar systems in other Valve games, it can be assumed that the Overwatch system may appear in CS2 in one form or another. We will definitely inform you as soon as new information becomes available.