Very soon the legendary shooter from Valve received a global update named Counter-Strike 2. The game will change almost everything: locations, graphics, sound, different mechanics and more. In this article we have collected for you all the most interesting things.

Major changes in CS2

Counter-Strike 2 will bring a number of significant changes that will improve the gameplay for players. Especially for you, we have highlighted the main changes of the upcoming update:

• Smoke grenades will use volumetric particles that interact realistically with their surroundings. They will react to light, shots and explosions, creating more realistic smoke effects.
• Moving, shooting and throwing in CS 2 will no longer depend on the frequency of server updates. This improvement will provide smoother and more accurate gameplay for players.
• Counter-Strike 2 will present a fresh look at maps. Some locations will simply be optimized, while others will be completely recreated from scratch to offer new locations, landscapes, and a more interesting gaming experience.
• Source 2 tools and rendering features will be available to map and skin creators from the community. 
• All of your CS:GO items will be ported to CS2, where they will look even more beautiful thanks to Source 2 features.
• Counter-Strike 2 will introduce updated visuals from the interface to gameplay. All of them will be in high resolution and HD quality, making the game world even more realistic and attractive.
• Sounds in CS 2 were completely redesigned. They will convey the environment better, be more distinguishable and provide players with more information.

READ MORE: 15 Most Expensive Cases in CS:GO

What tournaments are already scheduled for CS2?

So far, many tournament operators are saying that their tournament will already take place at CS2. But according to confirmed information - it will only be at:

• PGL Major Copenhagen 2024
• ESEA Season 46

And here is a list of tournaments, which are scheduled for dates, but waiting for the new release to decide with the platform on which players will play:

• Gamers8 2023
• Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2023
• Thunderpick

Platforms on which CS2 will be available

An important question for many fans of the legendary franchise is on what platforms Counter-Strike 2 will be available. In spite of the fact that at the moment limited test of CS2 is available only on Windows, we have reasons to believe that after the official release the game will be available on the other platforms.

Based on previous experience with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, we can expect that Valve will expand the Counter-Strike 2 availability on different platforms. Like the previous version, probably the game will be available on macOS, Xbox, PlayStation and Linux, allowing the players to choose the platform they prefer and to enjoy the game together with their friends and community.

System requirements for CS2

Analyzing the data on GPU and CPU usage, we found that Counter-Strike 2 uses 83% GPU, while CS:GO uses 63%. Also CPU usage in CS2 is 32%, while in CS:GO it is 28%. This data indicates that the new game is more demanding on your computer resources.

Now the minimum system requirements for your PC are as follows:

• OS: Windows 7/Vista/XP 
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom X3 8750
• RAM: 2 GB RAM 
• Video card: Video card with 256 MB of memory or more, compatible with DirectX 9 with support for Pixel Shader 3.0 
• DirectX: Version 9.0c Disk space: 15 GB

Read more about the system requirements in our special article.

However, in spite of increased resources requirements, CS2 shows some performance problems compared to CS:GO. FPS in CS2 is 520, while in CS:GO it is 810, which is 40% higher. The frame time in CS 2 is 3 ms, while in CS:GO it is 1.2 ms, which is 85% less. This data indicates that Counter-Strike 2 is not fully optimized yet and may result in lower performance even on the most powerful computers compared to CS:GO.

Thus, for a full and comfortable gaming experience in CS2 you may need a more powerful computer compared to the previous version. However, it should be taken into account that the data is based on the current version of the game, and to the official release Valve can better optimize it. The tests were conducted at 1280x960 screen resolution, similar graphics settings and NVIDIA Reflex OFF.

READ MORE: Tricks you haven't seen yet - ESL released its Counter-Strike 2 trailer

How do I get access to the CS2 beta?

If you want to get access to the Counter-Strike 2 beta, there are several ways, based on various facts:

• Go to the properties of the game in Steam and select the additional content section. Valve may have given you access to the CS 2 beta a long time ago.
• Check the CS:GO files on your computer for integrity. Sometimes players have gained access to the CS2 beta after performing this operation.
• If the previous steps did not work, your game cache may be clogged and need to be cleaned. Quit the game, then open Steam, go to your library, find CS:GO in the game list, select its properties, and clear the cache.
• If you still haven't gained access to the beta, one factor the developers are paying attention to is your recent activity in matchmaking and in-game shooter modes. Increased activity in CS:GO can increase your chances of getting early access to Counter-Strike 2.
• If you desperately want to play CS2, there is an illegal way that involves downloading a pirated version of the game. However, we hasten to warn you that this can lead to permanent blocking of your account. We strongly recommend you to avoid such actions.

In conclusion, only 3% of users got access to the CS 2 beta. If you did not get access, try to follow the above recommendations and continue to enjoy CS:GO game until the official release of Counter-Strike 2 and the game will be available for all fans.

When will Counter-Strike 2 release?

For many years Counter-Strike remained one of the most popular and influential games in the world of eSports. The community of fans and professional players eagerly awaited the next big step in the franchise's development. And finally, Valve announced the official Counter-Strike 2 release in the summer of 2023.

Despite this announcement, there is no exact date for the official release of CS2 yet. However, there is some information that may hint at a possible timeline. Brazilian cyber athlete Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo suggested that BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2023 may be the last tournament before the transition to CS2. This statement sparked a heated discussion among the community, adding mystery to the wait for an official release date.

Moreover, devoted shooter fans can't sit idly by. They are constantly looking for hidden hints and clues, that may indicate a possible Counter-Strike 2 release date. In the game's trailer there was found a mysterious moment, where fans could see the number "7-15". While it may just be a coincidence or a hint at something else, some users are interpreting this as a potential official release date for CS2 - July 15.

According to information from reliable insiders, the game is expected to be released to the public soon. Namely, all the insiders are trumpeting about July 25, 2023.

READ MORE: Official: BOROS Transfers from Monte to Team Falcons

A limited test of Counter-Strike 2 gives an opportunity to evaluate only part of the features of the updated shooter. Developers promise that the main problems will be solved by the summer, and players will have a lot of unannounced features. The developers promise to offer new features, functions and improvements that will make the game even better. Looking forward to the official release of CS2 to finally assess what innovations and improvements will bring this version of the legendary shooter from Valve, and what place among the fans of the franchise.