Counter-Strike 2 Release Date, Platforms, And Everything We Know

gamespot.com:

From release windows to fancy volumetric smoke technology, here's everything that you need to know about Counter-Strike 2.

By Darryn Bonthuys on

Counter-Strike 2 is official, and fans of Valve's tactical team-based shooter won't have long to wait to get their hands on the evolution of CS:GO. A major revamp that combines familiar gameplay with slick new technologies, Counter-Strike 2 is still in its early phase of testing before a wider release rolls out. Even at this phase, Valve has shared plenty of details on the game and what's changing on the battlefield, all of which we've gathered below for a quick rundown on what to expect when Counter-Strike 2 launches.

For now, Valve is aiming to have the sequel out in Summer 2023, but no firm date has been set. A handful of players are helping to fine-tune the experience before launch through a closed beta, which favors players who have logged a significant amount of playtime into CS:GO before Counter-Strike 2 was announced.

As mentioned above, Valve is prioritizing veteran players who have sunk plenty of time into CS:GO over the years, have a high trust factor, and are in good standing with their Steam accounts. If you meet those criteria, there's a good chance that an invite will pop into your inbox eventually as Valve is rolling out beta access over the next few months.

For those of you who have amassed an inventory of skins for your arsenal over the years, the good news is that you can «bring your entire CS:GO inventory with you to Counter-Strike 2,» according to Valve. As an added bonus, each skin is going to look better than ever thanks to Source 2, giving them a current-gen polish that'll allow you to admire them in their upgraded glory.

Tick rates, the all-important factor