Highlights
- After replacing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the Counter-Strike 2 update brings the anticipated Source 2 engine upgrade, but lacks key features, similar to Overwatch 2's launch.
- Steam Workshop maps and community-created content are notably absent in Counter-Strike 2, unlikely to return due to engine differences.
- Despite missing features, Counter-Strike 2 experiences consistent increase in player base since launch, but has yet to surpass CS:GO's record numbers.
Counter-Strike 2 has arrived, giving Counter-Strike: Global Offensive fans the Source 2 engine upgrade that has been anticipated since Valve ported Dota 2 to it in 2015. There is a lot to take in with the new update: tweaked mechanics, improved visuals, a streamlined interface, and overhauled utilities.
The Counter-Strike 2 update is a landmark in the history of the franchise, but there are a number of key features and game modes missing from Counter-Strike 2 that make the facelifted tactical shooter a little disappointing, which is reminiscent of how Overwatch 2 launched after it replaced the first Overwatch in a similar fashion. This doesn't undermine the significance of the update, and it is very likely that Valve will add new features to the game in due course.
No Good Answers Yet For Missing CS:GO Content
Valve could create a separate new listing in Steam for CS:GO and all the content associated with it, but much like hoping for a vanilla Overwatch rerelease, this is probably wishful thinking. Right now there is a version of CS:GO available through the Counter-Strike 2 Beta menu, but Valve could remove that at any time. It may also have reduced functionality since it is no longer officially supported.
One of the biggest features missing from Counter-Strike 2 is Steam Workshop maps. CS:GO had a vibrant community of fans who would create content for the game. All of that content presumably will not work in the Source 2 engine, and unless Valve has a novel way of porting the Workshop en masse, it seems unlikely that it will return as it was before. Counter-Strike 2 seems to have fixed some issues but has arrived with some of its own.
Why Valve May Have Replaced CS:GO
There are a few good reasons for Valve replacing CS:GO rather than having Counter-Strike 2 as a separate game entirely. One of these reasons is the skins, some of which have ridiculous market values. These have been carried over to Counter-Strike 2. Account bans have also been carried over, meaning those who cheated in CS:GO are not welcome in Counter-Strike 2.
Had Valve not carried the skins over a lot of people would have been upset. The market would likely be in turmoil, and sharing the skins across two games doesn't seem like it would work that well. The player base would also be divided. Most players would probably be curious enough to try out the newer game, but it's likely that more than a few would have stuck with CS:GO until any Counter-Strike 2 launch issues are taken care of.
Overwatch 2 players who have been playing since the first iteration of the game can commiserate with unhappy Counter-Strike fans. Regardless of how sensible the decision to replace the old game might be, there are people who prefer being able to go back to CS:GO, so they can play some of the game modes that are absent from Counter-Strike 2.
Coutner-Strike 2 is the Same, But Different
Counter-Strike 2 might be treading down a similar launch path as Overwatch 2, but overall is faring somewhat better as far as launches go. Overwatch 2 had such a bad launch due to (among other things) server issues that the community made light of through memes, while Counter-Strike 2 has mostly been criticized for its missing features.
Perhaps due to novelty, there is a consistent increase in the amount of people playing Counter-Strike 2 since launch compared to CS:GO in the weeks prior. Counter-Strike 2 has yet to beat CS:GO's record of over 1.8 million, but the community seems to be taking the change in stride overall. One can only hope that Valve has a plan for workshop content, or at the very least has a big feature update planned for Counter-Strike 2, much like Blizzard did for Overwatch 2.
Counter Strike 2 is available now on PC.