A little more than eleven years after the release of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the shooter series is now starting its next ra and, as in the past, is supposed to be one of the most-played multiplayer shooters in the world. The launch trailer also takes a stance on this, which shows the origins at the beginning, but then focuses on the fresh Counter-Strike 2.
Counter-Strike 2: Shooter is now available free-to-play
As expected, Counter-Strike 2 is not a new release in the actual sense, but primarily a comprehensive update for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. In the course of this, however, the name was also exchanged, meaning the predecessor is officially history. Valve itself describes the continuation brigens as “so far grte technical innovation in the history of the franchise.”
– CS2 (@CounterStrike) September 27, 2023
Among other things, the updated Source 2 engine is used, while in the background they implemented a real-time network code. In addition, there are graphically revised maps, dynamic smoke grenades, global and regional rankings, improved sound effects and an exciting, albeit long overdue feature.
Also, since CS2 is an update, all your Counter-Strike: Global Offensive items will still be there. So you don’t have to worry that your several hundred or even thousand euro knife skin is now worthless.
The ESL says goodbye
For e-sports, the release of Counter-Strike 2 should be no less important. The ESL, the Electronic Sports League, has already said goodbye in a 15-minute video and cut together numerous great and funny moments of the last few years:
Future e-sports tournaments, which include the annual Intel Extreme Masters events, will be based on Counter-Strike 2 in the future. The book Global Offensive is thus told to the end.