Counter Strike Global Offensive 2
Counter strike global offensive 2, a major upgrade of the game currently available, is now available. Valve has brought the well-loved FPS to their brand new Source 2 engine.
Touchstone maps will be subject to minor changes to lighting and readability, while upgraded maps will receive a full overhaul with Source 2's physically-based rendering.
A number of gameplay improvements are also expected as well as changes to the sub-tick which should reduce the reliance on tick rates for precision actions.
Gameplay

Counter-Strike Global Offensive Counter-Strike Global Offensive, which is the latest installment in the popular Counter-Strike franchise, offers the same gameplay that has defined the genre. It was developed using Valve's Source 2 engine, and boasts high-resolution textures, real-time lighting and Physics. It has been updated with new weapons and gameplay features.
The game has 34 weapons, of which 19 are exclusive to the new version. A lot of them are replacements for older weapons while the rest have been designed with distinct roles and characteristics.
The most significant changes to the game are focused on the weaponry. The SCAR-L was replaced by a new weapon that has more power and range and the AK-128 received an updated barrel that improves accuracy. Other guns, like the M4A1 sniper rifle as well as the M4A1 are also modified.
Many maps have been updated to work with CS:GO 2. Overpass was redesigned to make use of the brand new Source 2 engine, while other maps, like Dust II have been carefully updated. The game will also come with several new features, in addition to the new map. For instance the game's interface has been upgraded and a brand new Item Workshop will allow players to design their own items.
The Faction system is a further significant change. While the previous edition of the game offered a choice between two factions, Counter-Strike 2 will offer an array of T and CT models to pick from. Additionally the game's server design is now based on sub-tick updates which means that the servers can evaluate the world in very small intervals, such as the moment that a player moves or fires a shot or throws an grenade.
Since its launch in 2012, CS:GO has become one of the most played games on Steam, with an estimated 11 million players per month. There is also a thriving esports community with teams competing in various tournaments and leagues. One of the most notable is the Valve-sponsored Major Championships, where top teams compete for huge prize pools.
Weapons
Counter-Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a game that revolves around armed combat and with 35 weapons to pick from players have a range of choices when it comes to selecting their primary weapon. The equipment used by players, like armor, a CT defuse kit and grenades play a significant role in the overall match strategy.
Each weapon has its strengths and weaknesses. The AWP is an example. It is a great sniper weapon that can easily kill armored opponents above the knees however, it can be expensive and has a slow firing rate. The SCAR-20 is a great level of accuracy thanks to its scope, however it is also slow to reload and can slow the speed of the player.
New weapons in CS:GO also have some modifications to how they look. The HE gun, for instance, now explodes more realistically and the smoke from molotov cocktail appears more realistic. This helps to track players.
The weapons in CS:GO can be bought at the buy zone, which is located at each team's designated spawn point. Players can buy any weapon they want in the game which includes knives and pistols. Players can use money to upgrade weapons. A new buy menu has been introduced in the game, which provides players with a more convenient shopping experience.
Valve has released a couple of updates just a few months after the release of the game to improve gameplay. Some of the most significant changes pertain to the chat system in the game, which has been updated to stop abusive words and spam. Additionally, the UI for buying items has been revamped and now uses grid layout.
The game has also been improved with a new anti-cheat system that allows spectators to watch and a ban system. The team that loses a round will be penalized, however players who commit an offense will be barred. Valve has also added some gameplay tweaks to the game to make it more enjoyable.
Maps
The Counter-Strike franchise is well-known for its maps and the level of skill required to master the game. Each map takes years and sometimes decades of effort to create the highest level of first-person shooter design for competitive play. The maps in reserve and active pools are the most crucial part of the game to learn because they will help you understand the mechanics better and provide you with more tools to play it.
Mirage is a well-known CSGO map within the Active pool, which was launched in 2013 by Valve. Mirage is renowned for its balanced play on both sides of the battle as well as high ceilings of skill for teams that are looking to improve their coordination. The map is used in all esports and major championships for CSGO.
Nuke is a classic CSGO defusal map that is well-liked by casual as well as professional players. The map has gone through several modifications over the years, but it is still one of the most intricate tactical maps available in the game. The map's unique layout demands that you think about every angle and has more ways to outmaneuver the opponent than any other map.
counter-strike cases is a more recent CSGO map that was released in the Winter Offensive update in 2013. Its popularity has rocketed since its introduction, and it has made a number of appearances in major championships and Esports competitions. The map is compact but it is packed with options. From the long outer of A site to the narrow corners of B site.
Vertigo was added to the CSGO Active pool in 2019 and has impressed all who have played it. It replaced one of the most adored CSGO maps, and has been well-loved by players. The map is slightly CT-sided but that doesn't stop it from being a great option in queues. Canals run through the map, which is another interesting feature. The canals are a nice addition to the map, and makes it standout from other CSGO Maps that are heavy on exteriors.
Updates
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has been in existence for 10 years and was in dire need of an update. Fans had been anticipating a Source 2 beta for CS:GO for some time and Valve confirmed that the test will begin today. Valve promised the game's "largest technological leap forward for the game" with a complete overhaul of every aspect of the game.
case opening to the game is the switch to Source 2, a graphics engine that offers a more life-like visual experience. This includes new lighting and particle systems as well as a better focus on making bullet impacts easier to read from further away. The switch to the new engine means a redesign of many maps, such as reworked versions of Italy and Overpass.
Most importantly, though, Valve's update is designed to improve how the server's architecture and tick rate handle the game's actions. The switch to a 128-tick server architecture should improve both the responsiveness and graphic quality of the game. Valve promises the change will be a "remarkable improvement" and will make CS:GO feel more responsive than ever before.
Aside from the graphical changes, players can also expect various gameplay enhancements. Smoke grenades for example are now 3D objects that are volumetric in the game world that can be used to alter the appearance of the viewlines. Valve says that the upgrade to the server architecture of the game will allow for sub tick updates. This should result in more fluid and precise experience.
Anyone who is interested can test the updated version of the game by logging into the test that is limited and will be available to a limited number of players based on a few factors such as recent playtime and Steam account standing. Valve says that cosmetics collected in the current CSGO will be carried over to the updated game that is scheduled to launch this summer. Esports Insider reached out to BLAST the biggest CS:GO Tournament organizer - to find out if they plan to offer an older version to their leagues until the update is available.