Counter-Strike 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Counter-Strike 2 across the outlets.
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OLED Monitors, Handheld PCs, and the New Era of Premium Gaming Tech
The gaming hardware market has shifted from prioritizing raw power to focusing on immersion, with OLED monitors and handheld PCs becoming premium staples. Factors like advanced game rendering, the public-facing nature of gaming setups, and competition with other tech devices are driving this trend. Additionally, the demand for AI infrastructure is impacting component availability and pricing for gaming hardware.
Why Rare CS2 Skins Still Shape Esports Culture
Rare cosmetic skins in Counter-Strike 2 continue to shape esports culture by serving as symbols of player identity, history, and status within the community. These items add a visual language to the game, making key moments more memorable for viewers and providing collectors and traders with a way to engage with the scene beyond gameplay. Valve's ongoing support for the game ensures that the cultural significance of these skins persists.
Which gaming clip just won $500? Check out the best videos of May, featuring nukes in Minecraft, eternal drifts in Forza Horizon 6, and a dragon-riding giant in Skyrim
PC Gamer is showcasing the best gaming clips submitted by players in May, with a $500 prize awarded to the top video. The highlights include impressive moments in games like Minecraft, Forza Horizon 6, and Skyrim, alongside action from shooters and sandbox titles.
Prime Day might be three weeks away, but I can guarantee I've already found the strangest deal of the summer
This article highlights a peculiar early Prime Day deal for a novelty wireless mouse shaped like a retro Volkswagen Beetle. While amusing and inexpensive, it's noted that this unusual peripheral is not suitable for serious gaming, with other bizarre "Cute Pig" themed mice also mentioned as examples of strange offerings from the retailer Elec Space.
Valve antitrust lawsuit reportedly reveals lengths Steam owner is willing to go to prevent cheaper prices elsewhere
A new antitrust lawsuit accuses Valve of abusing its dominant position in the PC marketplace by forcing developers to maintain price parity across digital storefronts. Emails revealed in the case suggest Valve threatened to delist games like Rainbow Six Siege and removed pre-orders for Middle-earth: Shadow of War when publishers offered cheaper deals elsewhere. Valve denies having a formal price parity policy.
Gabe Newell hits back at claims that Steam has a monopoly on the PC marketplace
Valve President Gabe Newell has testified that Steam does not hold a monopoly in the PC gaming market, despite facing antitrust lawsuits from Wolfire Games and others. Newell claims consumers have numerous purchasing options and denies Valve enforces price parity obligations on other platforms. While Steam holds a dominant market share, Valve attributes its success to continuous innovation rather than a monopoly.
Valve's Gabe Newell argued gamers "have enormous choice" when grilled over Steam's alleged monopoly…
Valve boss Gabe Newell testified in a lawsuit alleging the company holds an illegal monopoly on PC gaming, denying claims that Valve dictates pricing on other platforms or punishes developers for offering discounts elsewhere. Newell argued that gamers have "enormous choice" in where they purchase games, citing Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, and direct developer sales as examples.
This could be the competitive panel of my dreams: the 'world's first esport OLED monitor' looks to be a…
Asus ROG has teased a new 540 Hz OLED monitor aimed at esports professionals, likely featuring a 24-25 inch 1080p display. This new monitor aims to combine the benefits of OLED technology, such as response time and motion clarity, with the preferred form factor for competitive gaming.
Steam Week in Review: 4 Backrooms games released on Steam last week, joining a list of over 500 cash-ins, parodies and…
The release of a Backrooms movie has coincided with a modest influx of four new Backrooms-themed games on Steam, adding to a library of over 500 titles. While many are low-effort cash grabs, some like Escape the Backrooms, Inside the Backrooms, The Complex: Expedition, and Within the Backrooms offer more engaging experiences. Steam's top sellers list includes titles like Forza Horizon 6 and Counter-Strike 2, with Paralives showing strong interest in the life simulation genre.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream was April 2026's best-selling game in the US
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream was the best-selling game in the US in April 2026, generating over $41 million. Pragmata and Crimson Desert followed in second and third place, respectively. The report also noted growth in console and subscription spending, with Fortnite leading in monthly players.
MSI's next-gen monitor can switch between three resolutions and refresh rates
MSI has developed a new gaming monitor capable of switching between three different resolutions and refresh rates. This allows users to seamlessly transition from high-fidelity experiences like Crimson Desert at 4K to competitive titles like Counter-Strike 2 at an ultra-high 680Hz refresh rate.
Counter-Strike is good for personal development, but don't let me tell you, listen to this bona fide Buddhist monk…
A Buddhist monk who has played Counter-Strike since its inception discusses the game's positive impact on personal development, emphasizing communication, cooperation, and empathy. He argues against the notion that video games are inherently harmful, using philosophical reasoning and his own experiences to highlight the benefits of engaging with the game.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is 2026's top new release by revenue to date | Newzoo charts
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream topped Newzoo's revenue charts for new releases in 2026 and overall console revenue in April, attributed to Nintendo's install base. New titles like Pragmata and Windrose also saw strong debuts, though displacing established live-service games remains challenging.
"I'm very rusty:" Counter-Strike creator 'Gooseman' doesn't play CS2 much these days, but he did check out Cache
Minh 'Gooseman' Le, co-creator of Counter-Strike, admits he doesn't play Counter-Strike 2 regularly, having not been a consistent player since around 2007-2008. He recently checked out the updated Cache map and still feels he's skilled despite the long break. Le's current focus is on his arcade-inspired FPS, Alpha Response, which is nearing its 1.0 launch.
Steam Week in Review: Steam is flooded with liminal spaces games and I approve, but I think I've found the best to…
The article discusses the surge of 'liminal spaces' games on Steam, highlighting Dreamcore as a notable example. It explores the appeal of these games, which evoke feelings of nostalgia and unease, and touches upon Steam's top-selling titles and notable user reviews.
Popular Online Video Games Right Now (2026)
This article discusses the factors contributing to the enduring popularity of online video games in 2026, focusing on competitive balance, social interaction, and continuous updates. It categorizes popular genres like tactical shooters, battle royales, MMORPGs, MOBAs, and co-op sandbox games, offering advice on choosing a game that fits individual preferences and schedules. The piece also touches upon the potential downsides of live-service models, such as pressure from daily rewards and battle passes, and emphasizes the importance of responsible play and time management.
The SIVGA M260 wired earbuds are a Y2K-fueled trip down memory lane, and my new budget pick
The SIVGA M260 wired earbuds offer a stylish, Y2K-inspired design and impressive sound quality for their budget price. While they excel in music playback with strong bass and clarity, their tendency to overpower high-frequency sounds makes them better suited for shorter gaming sessions rather than extended play.
Valve attempt to get the New York lootbox lawsuit dismissed as "People enjoy surprises"
Valve is attempting to have a New York lawsuit regarding lootboxes dismissed, arguing that "people enjoy surprises" and comparing them to collectibles like baseball cards. The company's legal team filed a memo asserting that New York's interpretation of gambling laws is overly broad and could criminalize common commercial transactions. This case, filed by the New York Attorney General, could have significant legal implications if it proceeds.
Anticheat check - which competitive games actually work on Linux?
This guide details which competitive games with anti-cheat systems are compatible with Linux and SteamOS. It explains how anti-cheat software interacts with different operating systems and compatibility layers like Valve's Proton. While some major titles like Fortnite and Valorant are blocked, games such as Counter-Strike 2 and Marvel Rivals function correctly.
New York's case that Steam lootboxes are "gambling" is a free speech violation that "will have an impermissible chilling effect on protected videogame design", argue Valve
Valve is arguing in a New York court that lootboxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 should not be classified as gambling, asserting that randomized rewards are not real-value items and that regulating them would violate free speech protections for game design. The company contends that the attorney general lacks the authority to enforce such regulations and that the lawsuit could stifle creativity in game development, particularly for aesthetic items like skins.
