Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike
CS2 Case Hardened phone skins are real, you could get a blue gem as well
Fariha Bhatti
dBrand’s Counter-Strike 2 Case Hardened gadget skins are the next best thing to the $1 million AK-47 blue gem sold earlier in June. CS2 has hundreds of rare skins that can cost an arm and a leg, but few are in their own league, like the blue gem pattern for Case Hardened skins. In June, a StatTrak Factory New #661 Case Hardened AK-47 with a rare blue gem design was …
Counter-Strike
CS2 sees drop in player count amid stuttering complaints
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike 2 community has been complaining about stuttering and lag, which have had a noticeable impact on the game’s player count. Earlier, players noticed heavy stuttering and rubber banding in CS2, an issue that Valve instantly resolved. However, after the latest update, a new issue has cursed the competitive queue, which added Steam video recording software. According to clips shared by fans, the desync has become progressively worse in the …
Counter-Strike
List of new CS2 community maps includes a classic 1.6 location
Fariha Bhatti
The big Counter-Strike 2 update is here, bringing in five community maps to competitive, Wingman, casual, and deathmatch modes in CS2. Leakers had earlier discovered a mention of classic and new CS2 maps in the game’s codes. While the initial guess was that they would be included in CS2’s first operation ever, Valve has rolled them all out on a random Wednesday. Not all players are pleased with Valve not …
Counter-Strike
Valve disappoints players by skipping CS2 update on 25th anniversary
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike is 25 years old, and Valve surprised everyone by celebrating the silver jubilee milestone with a mere social media post. Counter-Strike was released as a trailblazing first-person shooter on Jun 19, 1999. In 2024, it remains at the helm of its category with impeccable gunplay and advanced in-game mechanics. However, players are almost never pleased with the developer. This time, their discontent stems from Valve’s lackluster celebration of the …
Counter-Strike
Nivera returns to CS2 in European lineup spearheaded by NBK
Fariha Bhatti
Two-time major winner Nathan “NBK” Schmitt is rolling up his sleeves for Indian organization Revenant Esports to lead a fresh Counter-Strike 2 roster consisting of European players. Revenant Esports is an India-based organization with a strong presence in the local esports scene. Despite not having achieved global recognition yet, the organization’s CS2 roster secured an impressive first runner-up position in tournaments such as Skyesports Masters 2023 and the DreamHack Hyderabad …
Counter-Strike
Is CS2 pro player Stewie2K playing in IEM Dallas?
Fariha Bhatti
Jake “Stewie2K” Yip is back to tier-1 Counter-Strike under G2’s banner for IEM Dallas, and he’s already making waves. Stewie2K had stepped away from CS2 when he was in his prime. The top North American pro looked at Valorant to continue his career, but his journey as a streamer was short-lived. After dipping his toes in Riot’s shooter, Stewie2K made a return to CS2 in March 2023, but IEM Dallas is his …
Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike 2 now lets you rent skins
Olivia Richman
Counter-Strike 2 has some of the most expensive virtual items. The great news is that you can now rent skins in CS2. On May 24, Valve announced that gamers would be able to rent skins in CS2 as an alternative to buying them. This was in response to some players complaining that they don’t want to “gamble” by opening cases in hopes of getting the skin they want. At this …
Counter-Strike
CS2 update brings massive Vertigo changes
Olivia Richman
Counter-Strike 2’s sudden update brought some big changes to Vertigo that will impact how teams maneuver around the map. Vertigo is a controversial map, with many CS2 players saying it’s the worst one to play on — or watch pros play on. Gamers have noted that there are not many options when playing on Vertigo, creating one-dimensional and repetitive gameplay. That might change after the latest update. Valve dropped a …
Valve shakes up CS2 economy with price changes for fan-favorite weapon
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike
Valve has dropped a sizeable Counter-Strike 2 update out of nowhere, projected to shake up the meta. The latest May release notes for CS2 add price changes for M4A4 and incendiary. Valve has released a massive CS2 update, which includes tweaks to almost all mechanical areas of the game, including chickens. The release notes add new animations for the cute pets, significant changes to Vertigo’s layout and Molotov spread, and …
s1mple is offering lessons to help you get good at CS2
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike
Aspiring Counter-Strike 2 pro players will be glad to know that they now have a chance to play like s1mple, who is now offering lessons to help you get better at the game. Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev has earned his mettle as one of the best CS players in history. With a record 21 HLTV MVP medals, a Major trophy, and the title of the best player of 2018, 2021, and 2022, s1mple is the crowned king …
Recent CS2 ban wave punishes cheaters during live games
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike
The latest CS2 ban wave has rid the game of thousands of cheaters and account boosters, and fans are over the moon. Valve recently announced Overwatch’s return, a feature that will allow trusted players to investigate suspicious games. This update was well-received by players who are tired of playing unfair games. Although it is not a direct upgrade to the anti-cheat system, it is a step in the right direction. …
Players hopeful after Valve adds Overwatch to expose CS2 cheaters
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike
Overwatch is back in CS2, but to be able to get access, you must be a trusted player. Counter-Strike 2 may be a new game but has the same old problems. Cheaters are as common in CS2 as in CSGO, but Valve has taken a step in a positive direction to tackle the problem. With the return of Overwatch, Valve is seeking the community’s help to weed out the cheaters. …
Valve replaces Overpass with Dust2 as the new CS2 map
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike
A popular Counter-Strike map is returning to active duty in place of Overpass, Valve has announced. April 25 patch notes in CS2 are packed with game-changing updates. From allowing the left-hand model to a newly adjusted bob movement, the latest release notes have pleased the fans. That’s not all. The sizeable update also tweaks the active duty map pool and existing locations in CS2. If you liked Dust2, we have …
How to play with the left-hand model in CS2
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike 2 has been out for half a year without a left-handed view model. Now, Valve is allowing CS2 viewmodel commands, and players are over the moon. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was known for its high level of customizability, allowing players to use console commands to change various aspects of the game, such as the viewmodel and bob command. However, when Valve shifted the game to Source 2, players were disappointed to …
The role of case opening sites in the CS2 economy: A gamer’s perspective
William Davis
Counter-Strike
Immersed in the vibrant world of CS2, gamers understand the profound value every skin and weapon holds, extending far beyond their pixelated facade. Yet, amidst this bustling economy, case opening sites emerge as pivotal players, shaping the landscape behind the scenes. Let’s delve into the realm of these platforms, unraveling their significance in sculpting the CS2 economy through the lens of passionate gamers. Within the expansive CS2 realm, skins reign …
The Newest CS2 Cases For Opening in 2024
William Davis
Counter-Strike
The introduction of new cases in CS2 sparks excitement among players and traders alike. In 2024, it is worth paying attention to at least three new contenders offering new, unique skins. The Kilowatt Case, Revolution Case, and Recoil Case are the latest additions to the CS2 lineup. In this article, we delve into the details of CS2 newest cases, explore how to obtain them, and analyze which might hold the …
Best Budget M4A4 CS2 Skins 2024
William Davis
Counter-Strike
The M4A4 is an iconic rifle in CS2, favored by many players for its versatility and effectiveness in various gameplay situations. One aspect that adds flair to wielding this weapon is the choice of skins, which not only enhance aesthetics but also reflect personal style and taste. In 2024, with a plethora of options available, selecting the ideal skin can be daunting, especially for those on a budget. But in …
Features of CS2 Premier Mode
William Davis
Counter-Strike
With the release of CS on the new engine, shooter players got access to a completely new game mode – Premier. It has its own advantages and features, which are important for every player to know about. This article written by Volodymyr Huda is dedicated to a new game mode in which each player can unleash their potential. You can also learn more about top CS2 teams and players, for …
Game-breaking bug makes CS2 cheat commands accessible to all
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike
VAC may not be the best anti-cheat in the world, but Counter-Strike 2 cheats are expensive and hard to obtain. However, a new bug allows everyone to wallhack in CS2 using sv_cheats commands. CS2’s cheating problem is no breaking news. It’s as old as the game itself, and despite Valve’s efforts, it continues to deteriorate. In CSGO, cheaters ran rampant, so when CS2 was announced, players expected Valve to nip …
s1mple explains why CS2 Premier still “sucks”
Fariha Bhatti
Counter-Strike
After taking a break right after the release of Counter-Strike 2, legendary pro player Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev has re-emerged with a not-so-hot-take regarding CS2. s1mple took a break from competitive gaming when CS2 was released. While some claimed it had to do with his statement regarding CS2 being unplayable, that wasn’t the case. However, his recent post on X leaves no doubt about how s1mple truly feels about CS2 — …
Counter-Strike has long been among the biggest titles in esports and competitive gaming, even going back to esports’ deepest roots from decades past. What’s more, the game continues going strong today, with developer and publisher Valve releasing the latest iteration of the franchise in 2023. The newest version, Counter-Strike 2, has not been without its issues. But its popularity continues the enduring prominence of the Counter-Strike series, signaling that the venerated franchise is likely here to stay for many years yet to come.
But how did the franchise come be to so prominent in the esports space, and role does CS2 have to play in the industry moving forward?
Counter-Strike has roots in the beginnings of esports
Counter-Strike was unquestionably one of the biggest drivers of what we would today consider to be early professional esports movement. It was far from alone, and it wasn’t the most advanced. That likely was StarCraft: Brood War, a real-time strategy game from famed developer Blizzard that caught on in South Korea and led to a professional scene in the country well ahead of any examples of esports industry elsewhere in the world.
But outside of Korea, Counter-Strike quickly became the driving force behind competitive gaming and esports. First released in 1999 as a modification for popular first-person shooter Half-Life, the game was easy to pick up and play for many gamers. Half-Life was borderline ubiquitous software for gamers with a PC, and adding a mod to it was as simple as downloading and applying said mod. So it was that Counter-Strike began to catch fire and spread across the world.
As it spread, so too did its competitive play. Early competitions often centered around online play, most prominently including the Cyberathlete Amateur League (CAL) in North America and the Clanbase Eurocup in Europe. But live, in-person tournaments, similar to those enjoyed by StarCraft players and fans in Korea, were also rising in prominence.
Within just a few years, there were a number of major annual tournaments being held for the original version of Counter-Strike. Notable international tournament organizers included the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) in the United States, the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) in France, and the World Cyber Games (WCG) in Korea. This was in addition to many other regional tournaments through which teams could test their mettle and battle over smaller prizes.
But even at bigger tournaments, prizes weren’t what they are today, and in general there was far less money available to professional Counter-Strike players than there is in today’s thriving esports industry which sees many players and teams playing at the full-time pro level. That’s a far cry from a time when perhaps a small handful of players were able to make a true living through playing CS alone, and even them, it was often a modest one.
Counter-Strike 2 at the fore of a bigger esports scene than ever before
Counter-Strike 2 was released to a far different esports space than that which the original Counter-Strike occupied. But what exactly is it that has changed the scene so much, besides the accrual of years?
Esports betting is at the top of the list. The sports betting industry is growing and expanding around the world each and every year, and esports has absolutely been a part of that. As esports betting continues to grow and thrive, it brings its benefits to the games that are being bet on. And Counter-Strike 2 is at the top of that list.
These benefits have arrived through a myriad of means. Fan interest in tournaments has gone up and become more consistent with betting markets available for each and every game played, which further incentivizes tournament organizers and their sponsoring partners. But those partners are also now more likely to work with the pro teams and players themselves. Betting operators are among the most common and most generous sponsors in the pro CS2 space, showing how esports betting’s rise has contributed to Counter-Strike’s continued prominence in esports and competitive gaming as a whole.
