View source for Counter-Strike 2

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{{Game Infobox
| title		= Counter-Strike 2
| image		= Software Cover - Counter-Strike 2.png
| developer	= [[Valve Corporation]]
| publisher	= Valve Corporation
| series	= [[Counter-Strike series]]
| releasedates	= September 27, 2023
| genre		= [[WP:Tactical shooter|Tactical]] [[WP:First-person shooter|first-person shooter]]
| mode		= [[WP:Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
| platform	= [[WP:Windows|Windows]], [[WP:Linux|Linux]]
| engine	= {{src2|4}}
| appid		= 730
| codelang	= [[WP:C++|C++]]
| modsupport	= Yes ([[Steam Workshop]])
| sdk		= {{Cs2tools|1}}

| sysreq = <span></span>
* [[WP:Windows 10|Win 10]] or later
* 4 threads, Intel® Core™ i5 750 or higher, or AMD equivalent
* 8 GB
* 85 [[WP:Gigabyte|GB]] disk space
* DirectX 11 capable<br>with 1GB [[WP:Video random-access memory|VRAM]]
''For details, [[#System Requirements|see below]]''

| distribution	= [[Steam]]
| website	= [https://www.counter-strike.net Official Website]
| links		= '''{{steam store|app/730|Steam page}}'''<br>'''{{github|ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues|Report a bug}}'''
| previousgame	= {{csgo|2|nt=CS:GO}}
| nextgame	= N/A 
}}

{{For|about=the game|documentation on its tools|[[Counter-Strike 2 Workshop Tools]]|}}

{{Cs2|4}} (also colloquially referred to as '''CS:GO Source 2''' prior to announcement, and '''CS2''' for short) is a video game developed by [[Valve]]. <span class="plainlinks">[https://steamcommunity.com/games/CSGO/announcements/detail/3716071937633222893 Announced]</span> on March 22, it was planned to be released around Summer 2023, but later it was delayed to September 27, 2023. The game is a remaster of {{csgo|1}} with new graphics, new contents and technical improvements, including the [[Tickrate|sub-tick]] update. It is developed in Valve’s own {{Source2|1}} engine, the successor to {{Source|1}}. Prior to its release, Valve added users via CS:GO's game menu to the playtest.

Counter-Strike 2 was released on September 27th, 2023, replacing {{csgo|name}}. However this does not apply to the [[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (Console)|console version of CS:GO]] (for {{ps3|1}} and the {{360|1}}), which remains available for purchase.

At launch, the game was generally positively received by critics. Player response to the game was however, mixed, primarily as a result of removed content (e.g. [[Danger Zone]] gamemode) and features that CS:GO had, CS:GO being delisted on the store, and the game dropping support for older PCs aswell as macOS, or having performance and other technical issues. The Metacritic user reviews were later review bombed, alongside with Steam, which caused the recent reviews to briefly drop to "Mixed" (now "Very Positive").

Counter-Strike 2 also has a China version (by Perfect World), which is still referred as '''反恐精英：全球攻势''' ('''''Counter-Strike: Global Offensive'''''), both in-game and Steam China.

{{toc}}

== Features ==
New features introduced in {{Cs2|1}} including:
; Volumetric smokes
: Smokes are now volumetric objects that can be pushed by grenades, bullets, and more. It also reacts to lighting and the smokes fill the spaces naturally.
; Sub-tick system
: Tick rate no longer matters for moving, shooting, or throwing.
; Improved Steam Audio
: Sounds have been reworked to better reflect the physical environment, be more distinct, and express more game state. They have also been rebalanced for a more comfortable listening experience.
; Hardware accelerated ray-tracing for [[VRAD (Source 2)|VRAD]]
: VRAD3 now requires graphics card (NVIDIA RTX, AMD RX series) with ray-tracing support to preview & bake lighting. This will allow VRAD to quickly calculates lighting data. VRAD3 was also available on older Source 2 games<!-- VRAD3 was present in HLA since 2022, and later Dota 2 so it's most likely not backported from CS2 -->.
; CMAA [[anti-aliasing]]
: Replacement for FXAA. Another post-processing anti-aliasing method which was sharper than FXAA. Unlike FXAA, CMAA in {{cs2|1}} cannot be used alongside MSAA.
; Nvidia Reflex
: NVIDIA Reflex aims to reduces system latency, and makes keyboard & mouse movement more responsive.
=== Tools ===
; Hammer - GPU Ray Tracing & Path Tracing preview
: Preview baked lighting with RT-capable graphics card (NVIDIA RTX & AMD RX 6000 or later series).

== History ==
Counter-Strike 2 was released on September 27th, 2023, replacing {{csgo|name}}. The [[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (Console)|console version of CS:GO]] (paid, for {{ps3|1}} and the {{360|1}}) remains available to play, even on backward compatible Xbox consoles ({{xone|1}} and later), however, it is no longer possible to purchase the game as Valve delisted the game in 2023 prior to the shutdown of Xbox 360 Marketplace in 2024. The game is also not available for purchase on modern Xbox consoles either.

Many game modes from CS:GO (including Arms Race, Danger Zone, Retakes and etc...) were removed, but later in February 6, 2024,{{cite|2}} Arms Race was reintroduced, then in October 23, 2025, Retakes was reintroduced to the game.{{cite|3}}

Also on October 23, 2025, aside from Retakes game mode, Valve updated Counter-Strike 2 trading system,{{cite|4}} allowing users to exchange 5 items of Covert quality (the highest rarity tier) as follows:
*5 StatTrak™ Covert items can be exchanged for one StatTrak™ Knife from a collection of one of the items provided
*5 regular Covert items can be exchanged for one regular Knife item or one regular Gloves item from a collection of one of the items provided

This update results a sudden increase in supply, causing a crash that wiped US$2 billion off the Counter-Strike 2 market.{{Cite|5}}

== Content ==
* Counter-Strike 2 ({{code|game\csgo}})
* Counter-Strike 2 Windows binaries
* Counter-Strike 2 Linux binaries

== Game modes ==
'''Counter-Strike 2''' does not ship with Danger Zone, Demolition and Flying Scoutsman gamemodes from CS:GO.

Other gamemodes such as Arms Race and Retakes are also initially not available in CS2, however they are later reintroduced with later updates to the game. Arms Race was reintroduced in February 6, 2024 update,{{cite|2}} while Retakes was reintroduced with the October 23, 2025 update.{{cite|3}}

The following game modes are available:
{{Main|Counter-Strike: Global Offensive/Game Modes}}
{{Note|Most information here are from CS:GO, which may also applies to CS2.}}
{| class="standard-table"
!colspan="2"| Official Game Mode
!style="white-space:nowrap;"| Match length
! Penalties for<br>abandoning?
! Description of official Gameplay
|-
| [[File:Csgo icon competitive.png|32px]]
|style="white-space:nowrap;"| [[Creating a Classic Counter-Strike Map|Competitive]]
| 20-90 minutes
| {{Yes}}
| The classic game mode: Two teams of 5 players fight in a best of 24 rounds. In [[Creating a Classic Counter-Strike Map#Game Mode Description|'''Bomb Defusal''']] scenarios, Terrorists must plant a bomb at a target and defend it until it explodes - Counter-Terrorists must either stop them from planting or defuse the bomb before it detonates. In [[Creating a Classic Counter-Strike Map#Game Mode Description|'''Hostage Rescue''']] scenarios, Counter-Terrorists must find and escort a hostage - Terrorists must stop them. There are skill groups for ''ranked'' matchmaking so that ideally players are matched with enemies of a similar skill level. In ''unranked'' matchmaking, these skill groups are also regarded but not adjusted.
|-
| [[File:Csgo icon wingman.png|32px]]
| [[CS:GO Game Modes/Wingman|Wingman]]
| 10-30 minutes
| {{Yes}}
| Like Competitive, but adjusted for 2v2 and for a smaller map or a map section, best of 16 rounds, rounds are shorter.
|-
| [[File:Csgo icon casual.png|32px]]
| [[Creating a Classic Counter-Strike Map|Casual]]
| 10-20 minutes
| {{No}}
| Like Competitive but not binding ("casual"), with simplified and shortened gameplay: best of 15 rounds, shorter freezetime per round, no friendly fire, no team collision, free [[item_assaultsuit|armor]] and free [[item_defuser|defuse kit]]/[[item_cutters|cutters]].
|-
| [[File:Csgo icon deathmatch.png|32px]]
| [[CS:GO Game Modes/Deathmatch|Deathmatch]] <small><ul style="list-style:none"><li>Team&nbsp;vs&nbsp;Team</li><li>Free For All</li><li>Classic</li></ul></small>
| 10 minutes
| {{No}}
| This is a single 10 minute round with instant respawns. The player's goal is to eliminate as many enemies as possible with whatever weapon they wish to use. Weapons are free and only rifles, SMGs, heavy weapons, pistols and the [[weapon_taser|Zeus x27]] may be bought. Players have a short invulnerability period to buy weapons before moving.
|-<!-- Hidden until Valve added this back
| [[File:Csgo icon dangerzone.png|32px]]
| [[CS:GO Game Modes/Danger Zone|Danger Zone]]
| 3-15 minutes
| {{No}}
| A Battle Royale mode played on big maps where players win by being the last man (or team) standing. The game starts with all players choosing an insertion point at which they rope down from a helicopter. There is a ''Danger Zone'' that starts from the map's borders and advances, making the playable area smaller and smaller and inflicting damage to players touching it. This game mode features numerous unique weapons and entities.
-->|-
!colspan="2"| War Games
!colspan="3"|
|-
| [[File:Csgo icon skirmish armsrace.png|32px]]
| [[CS:GO Game Modes/Arms Race|Arms Race]]
| 5-10 minutes
| {{Yes}}
| This is a single extended round with instant respawn. All players start with the same weapon and get a new one each time they kill an enemy. The progression of unlocked weapons ends with the knife. The first player to get two kills with every weapon plus a kill with the [[weapon_knifegg|golden knife]] wins the match.
|-<!-- Playable through console commands only.
| [[File:Csgo icon demolition.png|32px]]
| [[CS:GO Game Modes/Demolition|Demolition]]
| 10-20 minutes
| {{No}}
| This is a fast paced mix of bomb planting and gun progression. There is no buying, you start with a rifle and if you get a kill that round, you get a progressively weaker weapon in the next round. Best of 20 rounds.
|-
| [[File:Csgo icon skirmish flyingscoutsman.png|32px]]
| [[CS:GO Game Modes#Flying Scoutsman|Flying Scoutsman]]
| 10-20 minutes
| {{No}}
| Like Casual but every player has a fixed loadout: A [[weapon_ssg08|Scout]] and a [[weapon_knife|knife]]. There is low gravity and no inaccuracy in mid-air, allowing higher and longer jumps and precise shooting, too.
-->
|-
| [[File:Csgo icon skirmish retakes.png|32px]]
| [[CS:GO Game Modes/Retakes|Retakes]]
| 5-10 minutes
| {{No}}
| Each round, 3 Terrorists spawn on a bomb site with a bomb being planted and 4 CTs spawn at fixed locations around it. Each player can choose a loadout card at round start.
|}

== Built-in Maps ==
{{for|the list of {{Cs2|1}} maps|[[Counter-Strike 2/Maps]]}}
Like previous Counter-Strike games, Counter-Strike 2 adds, removes, enhancing or completely remake maps from previous titles.

== Weapons ==
{{main|Counter-Strike 2/Weapons}}
{{:Counter-Strike 2/Weapons}}

== Gallery ==
You can see some screenshots from the game below. To see all screenshots and brand files, you can go to [[Counter-Strike 2/Gallery|Counter-Strike 2 gallery]] or category with all [[:Category:Counter-Strike 2|Counter-Strike 2 related files and pages]].

<gallery mode=nolines widths=256px heights=192px>
Counter-Strike 2 - ar_baggage.png
Counter-Strike 2 - ar_shoots.png
Cs italy png.png
Cs office 2 png.png
Counter-Strike 2 - de_ancient.png
</gallery>

== Limitations/Bugs ==
{{Important|{{cs2|2}} is not available for {{mac|4}}. As a result, since Oct 10, 2023, users may receive (CS:GO), via the {{code|csgo_legacy}} branch instead of CS2. Prior to that date, users will have the Windows version of CS2 downloaded to the Mac systems, which is non-functional without using Game Porting Toolkit (or Wine), running Windows on Mac via Boot Camp (Intel Macs only) or using virtualization software.

Later it is confirmed that Valve has dropped support for macOS entirely, users who cannot run {{cs2|1}} on Mac systems will be offered for Prime Status Upgrade refund{{cite|1}}, which is no longer available as of December 2, 2023.
}}

=== Known issues ===
* Counter-Strike 2 Workshop Tools has few critical or minor bugs, including one that can cause memory leak and prevent [[VRAD3]] from working. See more about these in the [[Counter-Strike_2_Workshop_Tools/Issues|issues list]].

To report a Counter-Strike 2 bug or search for existing issues, [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues visit this GitHub issue page].
{{Note|The link above leads to CS:GO Bug Report for Mac/Linux, but as of around 2017-2020, this applies to all platforms (including Windows), and both CS:GO & CS2.}}
{{Note|Unlike {{code|Source-1-games}} or {{code|halflife}} (GoldSrc) repo, this issue page is not meant for feature requests.}}

== System Requirements <span id="Sysreq"></span> ==
{{Expand|title={{win|4}}|noborder=1|startcollapsed=0|{{Sysreq
| OSfamily	= Windows

| minOS		= Windows 10
| minCPU	= 4 hardware CPU threads - Intel® Core™ i5 750 or AMD Phenom II x6 1100T or higher<br>[https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/16x3qlw/cs2_requires_more_modern_instruction_sets_can_you/ SSE 4.2 required] (since September 29, 2023 update)
| minRAM	= 8 GB
| minHD		= 85 GB
| minGPU	= NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti or AMD Radeon HD 7870
{{Note|Video card must be 1 GB or more and should be a DirectX 11-compatible with support for Shader Model 5.0}}
| minother	= 

| recOS		= Windows 10/11 64-bit
| recCPU	= AMD Ryzen 5 1600 or Intel I7 4770K
| recRAM	= 16 GB
| recHD		= 85 GB
| recGPU	= NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB or AMD Rx 580 8GB {{Note|Video card must be 5 GB or more at Max setting}} 
}}

{{Note|Unofficially worked on Windows 7 - 8.1 until Steam drops support for these operating systems, along with the Steam API update with the game in 2024. Support will not be provided for these operating systems however.<br>Please note that using these operating systems may cause issues related to {{vac|4}}.}}

{{Note|Requires CPU with SSE4.2 support, 64-bit OS and DirectX 11 (or optionally, Vulkan) compatible card, systems with 32-bit or DirectX 9 only card may choose to download the Legacy version of CS:GO instead if their hardware is incompatible, via the Beta tab on Steam Library.}}
}}

{{Expand|title={{mac|4}}|noborder=1|
* While Valve had developed a port of Counter-Strike 2 for {{mac|4}}, it was later cancelled, and Valve confirming that they have dropped support for macOS entirely due to low playerbase (1% of players) on Mac. As a result, since Oct 10, 2023, users will be offered to play {{csgo|1}} instead, via the {{code|csgo_legacy}} branch instead of CS2. Prior to that date, users will have the Windows version of CS2 downloaded to the Mac systems, which is non-functional without using Game Porting Toolkit (or Crossover/Wine), running Windows on Mac via Boot Camp (Intel Macs only) or using virtualization software.

Users who cannot run {{cs2|1}} on Mac systems will be offered for Prime Status Upgrade refund{{cite|1}}, which is no longer available as of December 2, 2023.
}}

{{Expand|title={{linux|4}}|noborder=1|{{Sysreq
| OSfamily	= Linux

| minOS		= Ubuntu 20.04, SteamOS 3.0 or<br>other Linux distros.
| minCPU	= 4 hardware CPU threads - Intel® Core™ i5 750 or AMD Phenom II x6 1100T or higher<br>[https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/16x3qlw/cs2_requires_more_modern_instruction_sets_can_you/ SSE 4.2 required] (since September 29, 2023 update)
| minRAM	= 8 GB
| minHD		= 85 GB
| minGPU	= NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti or AMD Radeon HD 7870 {{Note|AMD GCN+ or NVIDIA Kepler+ with up-to-date Vulkan drivers. <br>Support for VK_EXT_graphics_pipeline_library highly recommended.}} 
| minaudio	= Any

| recOS		= {{blank}}
| recCPU	= AMD Ryzen 5 1600 or Intel I7 4770K
| recRAM	= 16 GB
| recHD		= 85 GB
| recGPU	= NVIDIA GTX 1060 6gb or AMD Rx 580 8gb {{Note|Video card must be 5 GB or more at Max setting}
| recaudio	= Any
}}
}}
{{Note|Requires CPU with SSE4.2 support and Vulkan-compatible card, systems with 32-bit or OpenGL only card may chose to download the Legacy version of CS:GO instead if their hardware is incompatible, via the Beta tab on Steam Library.}}
}}

== See also ==
* [[Counter-Strike 2 Workshop Tools]]
* [[Counter-Strike 2/Dedicated Servers|Counter-Strike 2 Dedicated Servers]]

== External links ==
* [https://www.counter-strike.net/cs2 Website]
* [https://www.counter-strike.net/news/updates Updates & Patch Notes] (previous post will contain both {{csgo|1|nt=CS:GO}} and {{cs2|1|nt=CS2}} post)
* [https://store.steampowered.com/app/730/CounterStrike_2/ Steam Store page]
* [https://counterstrike.fandom.com/wiki/Counter-Strike_2 Counter-Strike 2 on Counter-Strike Wiki (FANDOM)]
* {{Wiki|Counter-Strike 2|Counter-Strike 2 on Wikipedia}}
* About playtest. [https://steamcommunity.com/faqs/steam-help/view/5ED2-ED8E-81F4-0C18 https://steamcommunity.com/faqs/steam-help/view/5ED2-ED8E-81F4-0C18 ]

{{references|1 =
{{ref2|cite id=1|publisher=[[Steam]] Support - [[Valve Corporation]]|[https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 Steam Support - Legacy CS:GO Version]<br>
{{Quote|
; '''I can't run CS2 because I run DirectX 9 or a 32-bit version of Windows. Am I eligible for a Prime Status Upgrade refund?'''<br>
:DirectX 9 and/or 32-bit Windows users are eligible for a Prime Status Upgrade refund if their purchase was made on Steam between the announcement of the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test (March 22, 2023) and the launch of Counter-Strike 2 (September 27, 2023).<br>
; '''I can't run CS2 because I play on a Mac. Am I eligible for a Prime Status Upgrade refund?'''<br>
:macOS users are eligible for a refund if most of their CS:GO playtime was on macOS and they played CS:GO on a Mac between the announcement of the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test (March 22, 2023) and the launch of Counter-Strike 2 (September 27, 2023), regardless of when they purchased their Prime Status Upgrade.

CD keys, gifts, and accounts with bans are not eligible for a refund.

Refunds will be offered until December 1, 2023.}}}}
{{ref2|cite id=2| access-date = October 24, 2025|publisher=[[Valve Corporation]]|1=[https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/730/view/4064004264605234735 Counter-Strike 2 - Release Notes for 2/6/2024]
</br>{{Quote|
; '''ARMS RACE'''
Added ''Arms Race'' to available game modes
Added maps "Baggage" and "Shoots"
}}
}}
{{ref2|cite id=3|access-date = October 24, 2025|url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/730/view/516350567072661952|publisher=[[Valve Corporation]]|title= Counter-Strike 2 - Re-Retakes}}
{{ref2|cite id=4|access-date = October 29, 2025|url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/730/view/516350567072661952|publisher=[[Valve Corporation]]|title= Counter-Strike 2 Update (10/29/2025)}}
{{ref2|cite id=5|access-date = October 29, 2025|author=Orland, Kyle (October 23, 2025)|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/10/valve-upends-the-cs2-item-marketplace-with-new-trade-up-update/|title=CS2 item market loses nearly $2B in value overnight due to "trade up" update}}
<!--ref template end-->}}

{{Cs2-navbox}}

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