win.gg
Win.gg Counter-Strike Will CS2 launch with a new operation? Here’s what we know

Will CS2 launch with a new operation? Here’s what we know

Author Icon
William Davis Published 27/06/2023

CS2 is just a couple of months away at max, and a new operation would be the perfect way to welcome fans to the new engine.

Despite a lull following the official announcement, Counter-Strike 2 hype is back in full swing. The map change to Mirage and new buy menu system is revolutionizing the beta, and players and pros alike are looking forward to the final release. However, casuals may have another treat to help ease them into the Source 2 engine. There’s a very good chance that CS2 will launch with a new operation. Here’s why we think so.

The biggest reason is timing. Before the announcement of Counter-Strike 2, Valve tended to release operations about once every eight months. This slowed to just over a year after the end of Operation Hydra, but content output was still relatively consistent until the reveal of Operation Riptide. The surfing-themed operation, which notably did not include surf,  remains the last operation for the game.

Operation Riptide was first released in November of 2021, with this June marking 17 months since the last CSGO battle pass. Players have been due for a new operation, but Valve’s reveal of CS2 helps the timeline make sense. The company has been hard at work porting the game over, so the lack of other content makes sense in hindsight.

However, players are now long due for an operation, and Valve has plenty of incentive to start the official launch of CS2 off with a bang.

An operation for CS2 could break Steam player count records

In addition to the issue of timing, Valve stands a chance to make a ton of money from releasing Counter-Strike 2 and an operation at the same time.

Even before CS2 was revealed, the player count for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has surged over the past several months. The game continues to break player count records, with well over 1 million players online at any given moment. CS2 only fueled the flames higher, with many hoping to gain access to the limited beta test. CSGO is the most popular its ever been, and CS2 promises to skyrocket the player base even higher.

With so many players engaged with the game, Valve could make an insane amount of money by giving casual players an outlet to spend when they first log in to the game. The company has put major emphasis on how skins look in the new engine, and players will be eager to spend on the final release.

Considering both the amount of time since the last operation and Valve’s opportunity to make major bank, we strongly believe that CS2 will launch with a new operation.

William Davis
About William Davis

View full profile
Read Also
Team Vitality vs FURIA: Predictions and best picks for StarLadder StarSeries 2026 Counter-Strike
Team Vitality vs FURIA: Predictions and best picks for StarLadder StarSeries 2026 Owen Harsono We have a clash of titans in the StarLadder StarSeries Fall consolidation final, as Team Vitality will take on FURIA for a grand final spot. Both teams have shown signs of shakiness throughout the event, so expect some scrappy Counter-Strike. Here are our Team Vitality vs FURIA predictions. Tournament: StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 Stage: Playoffs – Lower Bracket Final Game: Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Format: Best of 3 Betting tip: These ...
MOUZ vs FURIA: Predictions and best picks for StarLadder StarSeries 2026 Counter-Strike
MOUZ vs FURIA: Predictions and best picks for StarLadder StarSeries 2026 Owen Harsono MOUZ are set to take on FURIA in a do-or-die match in the $500,000 StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 lower bracket. Both teams have already suffered losses at the event, but we believe one team is in much better shape than the other. Here are our MOUZ vs FURIA predictions for September 19. Tournament: StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 Stage: Playoffs Game: Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Format: Best of 3 Betting tip: MOUZ ...
StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026: Teams, format, schedule, and prize pool Counter-Strike
StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026: Teams, format, schedule, and prize pool Owen Harsono Top-tier Counter-Strike is back on the menu with StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026. It’s not a 16-team tournament with every top team in attendance, but it’s still bound to entertain us for a solid four days. Here’s everything you need to know about StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026. Tier 1 Counter-Strike lands in Spain again for the first time in a while, with only eight teams in attendance. StarLadder StarSeries will be ...
Team Spirit vs Team Falcons at BLAST Open Fall 2026: best predictions and picks Counter-Strike
Team Spirit vs Team Falcons at BLAST Open Fall 2026: best predictions and picks Owen Harsono We’re in for a treat, as the BLAST Open Fall semi-final will feature a matchup between Team Spirit and Team Falcons, with the winner booking a spot in the grand final. It’s a battle between the world number one and number two, so this is a match you definitely don’t want to miss. Here are our BLAST Open Fall Team Spirit vs Team Falcons predictions. Tournament: BLAST Open Fall 2026 ...
Is CS2 Dying in 2026? Counter-Strike
Is CS2 Dying in 2026? Owen Harsono Counter-Strike is one of the longest-standing esports franchises, having built a loyal fanbase over the course of two decades. However, if you’ve browsed through social media platforms across the past few months, you might have seen people claiming that the game is dying or on a steady decline. Below we’ll take a look at why people are talking about this and answer the question of “is CS2 really dying?” One ...
The Esports Nations Cup Has Been Postponed to November 2027 News
The Esports Nations Cup Has Been Postponed to November 2027 Ben Boland The 2026 Esports Nations Cup has been suspended until 2027. The Esports Foundation announced the delay on August 18, citing ongoing regional uncertainty. The inaugural competition was scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, comprising over 100 national teams and featuring 16 different games, including League of Legends. According to the Esports Foundation, this decision follows ongoing developments in the region and consultation with key stakeholders. Moving the event ...
MLBB is the most-watched game from the EWC, and it’s hard to see another game beating it Esports Betting
MLBB is the most-watched game from the EWC, and it’s hard to see another game beating it Michael Hassall The Esports World Cup 2026 has officially passed its midway point and viewership figures for the tournament have surpassed many expectations so far, as per Esports Charts. The viewership tracking site revealed new statistics for the event on Aug. 6, showcasing just how many games had set new records in viewership, including one name leading the way in views: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. MLBB leads the viewership charts with the ...