Counter-Strike 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Counter-Strike 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
CS2's animation system overhaul comes with free performance gains
Counter-Strike 2 has implemented the Animgraph 2 animation system, which not only addresses cheating concerns but also provides performance improvements across various PC configurations. This update enhances the game's technical foundation.
Garry's Mod Spiritual Successor s&box Launches Later This Month
Facepunch Studios announced that s&box, a spiritual successor to Garry's Mod built on the Source 2 engine, will launch on PC via Steam on April 28th. The game creation platform allows players to create, share, and play games, with plans for royalty-free Steam publishing and Roblox-style microtransactions. Prior to launch, access will be restricted to active users, with the game then costing $20.
Why Gabe Newell Quit Making Games (It's Weirder Than You Think)
This article explores the unique leadership challenges faced by Valve co-founder Gabe Newell, stemming from his immense influence and the company's flat organizational structure. Newell's attempts to be an equal team member were often hindered by employees' deference, leading him to step back from direct creative input. This shift, while intended to foster autonomy, is argued to have contributed to years of project cancellations and creative stagnation at Valve, with the company only recently showing signs of renewed focus with titles like Half-Life: Alyx and Counter-Strike 2.
GIGABYTE MO27Q2A: A 280Hz QD-OLED monitor built for the games you actually play
GIGABYTE has launched the MO27Q2A, a 27-inch QHD QD-OLED gaming monitor featuring a 280Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time. Designed for PC gamers, it aims to enhance gameplay across various genres, from competitive shooters to AAA titles, by focusing on clarity, responsiveness, and visual immersion. The monitor includes features like Tactical Switch, AI OLED Care for burn-in protection, and versatile connectivity options.
This modder just added drivable cars to CS2, and it works shockingly well
A modder named Angel Cazacu has successfully implemented drivable cars into Counter-Strike 2. This mod suggests the potential for a new game mode within Counter-Strike 2, showcasing impressive functionality.
The Funniest Gaming Reactions To The KitKat Heist, If That's Even Possible
Following the theft of 12 tons of KitKat bars in Europe, numerous video game developers and content creators have joined in on the meme-fueled reactions. Companies like Strinova, Running With Scissors, Dead by Daylight, and Evil Genius Rebellion, along with creators and fan accounts for games such as Pokemon, Counter-Strike 2, and World of Warcraft, have posted humorous responses to the incident.
In the final days of the Amazon Spring Sale, the beefy AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is 37% off
Amazon's Spring Sale has significantly reduced the price of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X processor by 37%, bringing it down to $315 in the US. This 12-core CPU offers strong performance in gaming and content creation tasks, outperforming its predecessor and competing well with Intel's offerings.
You can chow down on this edible thermal paste made from gold leaf and honey, and it's not as horrible for your…
A YouTuber created an edible thermal paste using gold leaf and honey, testing its performance on a CPU. While it kept temperatures within reasonable limits for a short gaming session of Counter Strike 2, it was less effective than conventional thermal paste. The experiment highlights the importance of proper thermal paste for PC builds, advising against using edible alternatives for actual system cooling.
Valve VAC bans a million CS2 accounts in one day
Valve developer Ido Magal confirmed that Counter-Strike 2 issued approximately 960,000 VAC bans in a single day as part of an ongoing effort to combat farming bots. This massive ban wave targets accounts engaged in illicit activities within the game.
Valve VAC bans a million CS2 accounts in one day
Valve has issued one million VAC bans for Counter-Strike 2 accounts in a single day, indicating a significant crackdown on cheating. Separately, Razer has launched the NiKo Collection, a line of gaming peripherals co-designed with Counter-Strike legend Nikola 'NiKo' Kovač.
Danger Zone
Valve's anti-cheat system, VAC, has banned approximately one million accounts in Counter-Strike 2 within a single day. This significant action highlights Valve's ongoing efforts to combat cheating in the popular PC title.
You definitely don't need ROG's new audiophile-grade headset, but here's why you want one anyway
The ASUS ROG Kithara is an audiophile-grade gaming headset developed in partnership with Hifiman, featuring 100mm planar magnetic drivers for exceptional sound quality. While it offers a rich listening experience for music and games like Counter-Strike 2 and Crimson Desert, it lacks some standard gaming headset features such as wireless connectivity and easy mic muting, making it more of a branding exercise than a practical consumer product.
Valve VAC bans a million CS2 accounts in one day
Valve developer Ido Magal confirmed that Counter-Strike 2 issued approximately 960,000 VAC bans in a single day as part of an ongoing effort to combat farming bots. This massive ban wave targets accounts engaged in illicit activities within the game.
WiiM Sound Lite review: an unusually flexible WiFi speaker that shines
The WiiM Sound Lite is a versatile and feature-rich WiFi speaker that offers excellent audio quality and flexibility for its price. It can function as a standalone unit, a stereo pair, or integrate into a multi-room system, making it a strong contender for desktop setups, movies, and general listening.
FlashSkins and the new wave of the Skin Market - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
FlashSkins is positioning itself as a modern Counter-Strike 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive skin marketplace, focusing on user experience, a large inventory, and trust. The platform offers advanced filtering options, an intuitive interface, and features like Instant Sell to cater to both casual and serious traders. With a focus on transparent pricing and security, FlashSkins aims to provide a smoother and more reliable trading environment in the competitive skin market.
Great Britain at the Esports Nations Cup 2026: British Esports, Esports Wales, Fnatic, Scottish Esports, The FA via England Gaming and UKETC unite to represent GB
British Esports, along with partners Esports Wales, Fnatic, Scottish Esports, The FA via England Gaming, and UKETC, has been selected as the Official National Team Partner to represent Great Britain at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2-29, 2026. Jeff Simpkins has been appointed National Team Manager, tasked with forming national teams across multiple game titles. The Esports Foundation is backing the event with significant funding for prize money, club incentives, and national team development.
Team Vitality Destroys CS2 Competition with 31 Straight Playoffs
Team Vitality has achieved a remarkable streak of 31 consecutive playoffs in professional Counter-Strike 2 competitions over two years. This consistent performance includes eleven tournament wins and numerous top-4 finishes against top-tier competition, showcasing exceptional discipline and adaptability.
Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless review
The Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless earbuds offer an open-back design and strong battery life, making them suitable for fitness enthusiasts and gamers who prefer a less isolating audio experience. While they provide precise directional audio and a good soundstage for games like Counter-Strike 2, their $230 price point is high compared to more conventional noise-cancelling options.
How much do you value low-profile keyboard feels? Corsair's betting... a lot
The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless keyboard offers a premium typing experience with its low-profile optical keys and solid construction, but comes at a high price of $260/£240. While the actuation feel is praised, the utility of its LCD screen and the absence of analog switch benefits are questioned, making it a niche product for enthusiasts prioritizing feel over cutting-edge features.
Crimson Desert Just Launched and It's Already One of Steam's Top 3 Most-Played Games - IGN
Crimson Desert has achieved significant success shortly after its launch, reaching the top three most-played games on Steam with over 250,000 concurrent players. The open-world action game, also available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, had garnered 3 million Steam Wishlists prior to release. Despite a strong launch in player numbers, Pearl Abyss' stock price saw a notable decline, potentially linked to early review scores.
