Valve’s “Counter-Strike 2”: The Biggest Technical Leap in History
The wait is over for countless fans of Valve’s first-person shooter franchise, “Counter-Strike.” Valve has announced that “Counter-Strike 2” will be released in summer 2023, promising significant technical upgrades for the game.
Replacing the Source engine that powered previous iterations, Valve will use Source 2, which is used in other popular games such as “Dota 2” and “Half-Life: Alyx.” The exciting news for loyal “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” players is that this upgrade comes at no cost; “Counter-Strike 2” is a free upgrade for them.
All the progress made in “CS:GO,” including skins, will carry over to “Counter-Strike 2,” with new textures and surfaces added. The new release will feature entirely new models for weapons, and all maps have been updated to add a brighter feel to the game.
Smoke grenades are also getting an upgrade, with dynamic volumetric effects. They will interact with the light and environment of the game, meaning players can no longer hide in fixed-range spheres. Instead, smoke will fill out corridors and grenades’ explosions will displace the smoke.
Sub-Tick Updates and Improved Localization
Valve has also revealed that they will introduce sub-tick updates to improve the game’s directness. Players’ inputs like moves and shots will be sent to servers up to 128 times at a 128 tick rate. However, interpolated actions between the ticks will make waiting times between input and action disappear.
The game’s sound has also been updated, with improved localization. Players can not only see but hear accurately from where gunshots are coming.
Early Access to Selected Players
Valve is currently granting early access to “Counter-Strike 2” to select CS:GO players. However, this limited test phase does not contain all the innovations that Valve has in store for the release this summer.
In summary, the “Counter-Strike 2” release is a significant technical leap for the franchise, with players seeing new features and changes promised over the next few years. Dynamic smoke and sub-tick updates promise to improve gameplay and make it more exciting. The release is eagerly anticipated by old and new fans alike.
