Valve took gamers by surprise yesterday when it officially announced Counter-Strike 2 (CS2). Yes, the sequel to one of the gaming world’s oldest PVP shooter is real, and yes, it is based on its parent company’s Source 2 game engine.
The surprise revelation of CS2 also lays to rest any speculations fans and gamers initially had about the sequel. In addition to the announcement, what is even more surprising is that Valve has also provided a launch window for the game, which is the Summer of this year. As vague as it is, it also means that fans can expect it to launch sometime in or just after June.
Today we’re excited to announce Counter-Strike 2. Counter-Strike 2 is an overhaul to every system, every piece of content, and every part of the C-S experience. First, let’s talk about smoke grenades: pic.twitter.com/iTtguRHJ0S
— CS2 (@CounterStrike) March 22, 2023
Of course, it just wouldn’t be a sequel if CS2 did not come with some updates, so lo and behold, updates and improvements are what Valve is delivering in-game. As a start, the game retain what its developers describe as touchstone map. Also described as legacy maps, these maps basically retain their legacy from their original form, and come with some improvements made to them in terms of lighting and some textures.
Then there are “Upgrade” maps. These CS2 maps are new and are heavily dependent on the Source 2 engine, in order to create areas that make full use of the engine’s new physical rendering system that produces “realistic” materials, lighting, and reflections. Lastly, all the maps have been overhauled; all the legacy maps have been fully rebuilt from the ground up and, as Valve says, leverages all of the Source 2 tools and rendering features. The best part is, that those same tools will be made available to community mapmakers, thus allowing them to experiment with the engine.
Another improvement that Valve is introducing in CS2 is the new physics of smoke grenades. At a glance, it definitely looks and feels more volumetric, but it also feels a little weird looking at such a thick amount of smoke being contained within a semicircle and never deviating outside the invisible borders of the globe.
(Source: Valve via Twitter)
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