Counter-Strike 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Counter-Strike 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
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.
How Marathon avoids the mistake that Concord and Highguard made
Marathon is praised for avoiding the "Blorko" problem that affected Concord and Highguard by implementing a unique "Shells" mechanic for combat avatars. The game, developed by Bungie, launched on March 5, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, offering a fresh take on shooter gameplay with depth and flexibility. The article also briefly mentions other games like Crabmeat, Pragmata, Fortnite, Super Mario Lego, Never's End, Crimson Desert, and the lawsuit against Valve regarding lootboxes.
Valve Addresses New York Loot Box Lawsuit: "We Refuse To Do That"
Valve has publicly responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, which claims that the company's loot box mechanics constitute illegal gambling. Valve denies these claims, arguing that loot boxes are akin to physical collectibles and that players are not required to engage with them. The company also stated it refuses to remove item transferability or implement invasive user data collection as demanded by the Attorney General.
RE Requiem's Launch Day Can't Match The Live-Service Heavy-Hitters
Resident Evil Requiem's launch player numbers did not reach the heights of established live-service titles like NBA 2K26, Fortnite, and Counter-Strike 2. While the game charted on PC and consoles, its performance was outshone by games with consistent player engagement, with the Marathon Server Slam test also appearing on multiple platform charts.
What Makes a Skin Easy to Sell Without Waiting
This guide explains the intricacies of Counter-Strike 2 skin trading, comparing it to financial markets like Forex and Bitcoin. It covers what CS2 skins are, their rarity and wear levels, how to acquire them, and strategies for selling them effectively, including identifying profitable items, pricing, and choosing the right platforms.
When It Makes Sense to Sell a Skin in CS2?
This guide provides strategies for selling skins in Counter-Strike 2 to maximize profit. It covers optimal selling times, such as the seven-day peak after a new case release, holding rare items for two years, and selling during major tournament windows. The article also advises on which skins to sell, including those from new collections, high wear items, and skins for less popular weapons, and how to price them using market history, wear values, and comparisons across different markets.
Another new lawsuit against Valve in Washington USA takes aim at lootboxes
Valve Software is facing a new class-action lawsuit in Washington, USA, targeting loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The lawsuit, filed by Hagens Berman, alleges that Valve uses gambling-like psychological techniques to encourage spending on loot boxes, particularly affecting minors. This adds to a series of recent legal challenges against the company regarding its monetization practices.
New lawsuit wants Valve to repay "billions" earned from "illegal gambling" lootboxes in Counter-Strike, Dota 2 and Team Fortress 2
A new class action lawsuit has been filed against Valve, accusing the company of operating an illegal gambling operation through lootbox mechanics in Counter-Strike 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The lawsuit seeks billions in restitution for alleged illicit profits made from these gambling features, which plaintiffs argue use psychological techniques similar to casino games and are particularly dangerous for younger players.
Is Marathon Heading for the Same Fate as Concord and Highguard? | Invision Game Community
The article analyzes the challenges faced by new live-service multiplayer shooters, using Concord and Highguard as examples of recent failures. It discusses how Marathon, Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter, faces similar retention hurdles despite initial testing interest, and its success hinges on Bungie's experience with Destiny 2 and creating a compelling gameplay loop.
Valve facing second, class-action lawsuit over loot boxes
Valve is facing a second class-action lawsuit alleging that loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2 constitute illegal gambling, particularly targeting children. The lawsuit claims Valve engineered these systems using casino-style tactics to extract money from consumers, and that the virtual items obtained are valuable as they can be sold for real money.
Valve sued by The Performing Right Society for allegedly using its members musical works "without permission"
The Performing Right Society (PRS) has sued Valve, alleging the unauthorized use of copyrighted music on the Steam platform. PRS claims Valve has never obtained a license for music from its members, which includes songs featured in titles like Forza Horizon, EA FC, and Grand Theft Auto. Separately, Roblox has launched two new developer programs, Incubator and Jumpstart, to support creators in building and scaling games on its platform, while also highlighting growth opportunities within its older user demographic.
Counter-Strike's 'X-ray scanner' for loot containers is coming to Germany later this month
Counter-Strike 2 players in Germany will receive an 'X-ray scanner' feature starting March 16th, allowing them to view the contents of loot containers before opening them. However, once scanned, players must purchase the revealed item before they can scan another container. This implementation comes amidst ongoing global scrutiny and legal challenges surrounding loot boxes and their potential classification as gambling.
Morning Legal Briefs
A legal specialist commented on New York's lawsuit against Valve concerning Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. The article also touches upon Epic Games' efforts to clarify Google's alleged silencing of Tim Sweeney.
"That would be a really big problem" - a specialist lawyer weighs in on New York suing Valve over Counter Strike 2 and Dota 2 loot boxes
New York's attorney general is suing Valve over loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, alleging they constitute illegal gambling. Lawyer Justin Jacobson explains that New York's legal framework may differ from other states, potentially allowing the suit to proceed by focusing on the actual practice and value of digital items rather than terms of service. The case's outcome could significantly impact Valve's operations in New York, especially if an injunction is issued.
What does New York's legal case against Valve mean for the company and its players? To find out, we asked a lawyer
New York's attorney general is suing Valve, alleging that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 constitute illegal gambling. Lawyer Justin Jacobson explains that the case hinges on whether digital goods are considered a "thing of value" under New York law, which has different statutes than other states. The lawsuit could have significant financial implications for Valve, particularly if an injunction is issued in New York.
Slay the Spire 2 nådde över en halv miljon spelare i helgen
Slay the Spire 2 achieved a peak of 574,638 concurrent players on Steam over the weekend, ranking it as the third most played game on the platform. The early access title also topped Steam's global sales chart and received a 96% positive rating from over 27,000 players.
Website that let Marvel Rivals players pay each other to throw matches pivots to "transparency initiative" after NetEase get mad
Marvel Rivals developer NetEase has implemented new systems to detect and combat match-fixing after a third-party website facilitated players being paid to throw matches. The developer has introduced an active server-wide detection system and a compensation system for affected players, while the website in question has pivoted to a "transparency initiative."
CS2 Players Getting Wrecked by Fake Steam Workshop Scams
Counter-Strike 2 players are being targeted by sophisticated scams that use fake Steam Workshop pages to steal login credentials. These sites meticulously replicate the appearance of legitimate Workshop pages, including skin previews and voting buttons, to trick users into entering their Steam login details. The scam exploits the value of in-game items and the community's tendency to support creators, highlighting the need for players to verify URLs and question login requests.
