Counter-Strike 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Counter-Strike 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Developer sues publisher after leaving backers waiting over two years for promised physical editions
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding lootboxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The company stated it does not believe these lootboxes constitute illegal gambling for minors and expressed disappointment that the lawsuit proceeded despite Valve's efforts to educate the Attorney General's office since early 2023.
Top 10 CS2 Skins Used by Pro Players in Major Tournaments - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
This guide explores the top 10 Counter-Strike 2 skins favored by professional players in major tournaments, analyzing why these cosmetics are chosen for their clarity, familiarity, and symbolic value. It details specific popular skins like AWP | Dragon Lore and AK-47 | Redline, and discusses how these choices influence esports culture and market demand.
Resident Evil Requiem's unintentional Half-Life YouTuber ad was bought for only $15, but the content creator responsible will give the website "'back' for free" if Capcom wants it
A hidden domain found on a computer in Resident Evil Village, newdawn-capcom.com, was registered by YouTuber Gabe Follower, who covers Valve games. Follower, who bought the domain for $15, has offered to return it to Capcom for free if they reach out. The website was discovered by fans and initially thought to be an intentional in-game easter egg.
PEGI revises its age ratings system with considerations for loot boxes, daily quests
The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) organization is updating its age rating system to include specific game features like loot boxes and daily quests, effective June. New classifications will consider in-game purchases, paid random items, communication features, and daily rewards, aiming to enhance online safety for parents. Games with loot boxes will now be rated PEGI 16 or 18, while those with daily quests will be PEGI 7 or 12, depending on whether they reward or punish players for returning.
Valve argues mystery boxes are 'widely used' in the tangible world
Valve is arguing against the New York Attorney General's lawsuit that claims its games promote illegal gambling through loot boxes. The company asserts that these mystery boxes are widely used in both video games and the physical world, comparing them to baseball card packs and blind boxes. Valve also stated that it does not cooperate with gambling sites and has locked over one million Steam accounts involved in such activities.
One of Jeff Kaplan's 'regrets about Overwatch' was making it so team-orientated: 'I would downplay the team factor and try to put more focus on individual contribution'
Former Overwatch boss Jeff Kaplan expressed regret over the game's heavy emphasis on team coordination, stating that if he were to create a hero shooter today, he would prioritize individual contribution. He believes this shift is necessary because players are inherently selfish and that the current team-dependent design makes it difficult to carry matches or compensate for weaker teammates.
Mesa 26.0.2 arrives with more bug-fixes for Linux graphics drivers
Mesa 26.0.2 has been released, providing bug fixes for open-source graphics drivers on Linux. This update addresses issues including build failures, visual glitches in Counter-Strike 2 and Mafia III on AMD hardware, VRAM memory leaks, and compiler assertion failures.
Valve Breaks Silence Over NY Attorney General Lawsuit, Says Loot Boxes Are Like Baseball Cards, Pokémon, Magic the Gathering, and Labubu - IGN
Valve has responded to a lawsuit from the New York Attorney General, arguing that loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 are akin to baseball cards or Pokémon cards and do not constitute illegal gambling. The company stated that virtual items are cosmetic, transferable, and that they actively combat the use of their items on gambling sites. Valve expressed concerns about the AG's demands, which they believe go beyond existing law and could negatively impact users and developers.
Loot boxes are used not just in video games, argues Valve
Valve has responded to the New York Attorney General's lawsuit, arguing that loot boxes in their games do not constitute illegal gambling and do not encourage minors to gamble. The company stated that they have been educating the NYAG about their virtual items since early 2023 and that loot boxes are also prevalent in physical collectibles like baseball cards and Pokémon packs. Valve also defended their item transfer system, stating it benefits consumers by allowing them to trade unwanted items, and expressed concerns about the invasive technologies required to verify user locations and ages.
CS2 Dead Hand Collection Drops 17 New Skins and 22 Rare Gloves
Valve has released the Dead Hand Collection for Counter-Strike 2, introducing 17 new weapon skins and 22 rare gloves created by community artists. The update also includes significant map adjustments, notably fixing a pixel gap on Dust II and updating Alpine to its latest Community Workshop version. A new Dead Hand Terminal system will provide weekly drops for accessing these cosmetic items.
Valve Addresses Lawsuit by New York Attorney General, Says it Will Wait for a Court’s Decision
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. The company argues that these items are comparable to trading cards and that players are not required to purchase them. Valve expressed concerns about proposed changes, particularly regarding the transferability of digital items and invasive data collection, and stated they will await a court decision.
Valve speaks out about New York loot box lawsuit in rare attempt at damage control, saying ‘it would have been bad for users and other game developers’ to preempt situation
Valve has publicly addressed the lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding loot boxes, describing them as gambling. The company stated that the AG's proposed changes to its business operations would have negatively impacted users and developers on Steam, affecting privacy and the ability to trade in-game items.
"Valve does not cooperate with gambling sites" - Counter-Strike publishers issue rare public defence of lootbox mechanics, following New York lawsuit
Valve has publicly defended its lootbox mechanics in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 against a lawsuit alleging illegal gambling. The company argues that these mechanics are not unique, do not provide in-game advantages, and that they have actively worked to combat gambling on their platform. Valve also stated they would comply with future legislation but disagreed with the proposed measures, believing they would harm users and developers.
Developer sues publisher after leaving Kickstarter backers waiting over two years for promised physical editions
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, disputing claims that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 constitute illegal gambling. The company stated it has been educating the NYAG about its virtual items since early 2023 and believes the transferability of digital items is a consumer right. Valve also addressed separate legal proceedings initiated by the Performing Right Society over alleged unlicensed use of music on Steam.
Valve comes out swinging against New York lawsuit with rare public statement: 'The type of deal that would satisfy the NYAG would have been bad for users and other game developers'
Valve has publicly responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, defending its practices regarding in-game loot boxes and stating they do not constitute illegal gambling under state law. The company highlighted its efforts to combat fraud and theft related to virtual items and expressed concern that the AG's demands would negatively impact users and other developers.
Valve responds to NY Attorney General lawsuit: "We have serious concerns with the alterations the NYAG claims are necessary to make to our games"
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, disputing claims that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 unlawfully encourage minors to gamble. Valve stated it does not believe its virtual items violate gambling laws and expressed disappointment that the lawsuit proceeded despite their efforts to educate the NYAG. The company also addressed concerns about the transferability of digital items and invasive data collection proposed by the NYAG.
Valve defends loot boxes in response to New York's lawsuit
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York's attorney general accusing the company of promoting illegal gambling through loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. Valve defended its use of mystery boxes, comparing them to physical trading cards and emphasizing that the items are purely cosmetic and transferable, arguing that removing transferability would harm consumers.
Valve says loot boxes are just like "Pokemon, Magic the Gathering, and Labubu" as it pushes back against New York lawsuit, claims it's being pressured to "collect more personal data" for "additional age verification"
Valve is pushing back against a lawsuit from the New York Attorney General's office that claims its loot boxes constitute gambling. The company argues that these "mystery boxes" are akin to collectible card games and has expressed concerns about demands for increased personal data collection for age verification. Valve states it will comply with any future legislation but intends to fight the current lawsuit.
Valve argues loot boxes "widely used, not just in video games but in the tangible world" as it expresses 'disappointment' over New York state lawsuit
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York State, which alleges that its loot box system constitutes illegal gambling. The company expressed disappointment, arguing that the transferability of digital items is beneficial to consumers and that their "mystery boxes" are comparable to tangible collectibles like baseball cards. Valve also highlighted its efforts to combat the misuse of game items on gambling sites and its concerns about the invasive data collection proposed by the state.
Valve posted a statement on the New York lootbox lawsuit
Valve has issued a statement addressing the New York Attorney General's lawsuit concerning lootboxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The company argues that these mystery boxes do not violate gambling laws and compares them to tangible collectible items like baseball or Pokemon cards. Valve also expressed concerns about the Attorney General's demands for increased personal data collection for age verification and the proposed removal of item transferability.
