Players are eagerly awaiting the release of Counter-Strike 2, the sequel to the popular game CS:GO. CS2 will port everything gamers have come to appreciate about Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the renowned first-person shooter's current edition, to the Source 2 engine. Many CS:GO gamers, though, are asking whether the skins they've been collecting for over a decade would be available in the new edition.
What is Counter Strike 2?
When Valve began updating the CS:GO database on Steam, the existence of Counter-Strike 2, abbreviated as CS 2, became the talk of the town. They have now revealed the sequel, which is reported to be a revamp of the highly lauded FPS shooter Counter-Strike: GO (or CS:GO). The game will be driven by the new Source 2 engine, which will result in improved lighting and a physically based rendering system.
Not only that, but many anticipate major map reworks and overhauls, as well as a slew of additional unknown improvements. CS2 is already in restricted testing, but it is critical to emphasize that Counter-Strike 2 will not be a new game; rather, it will be an upgrade to CS:GO that will bring it onto the Source 2 engine.
Will Counter Strike 2 keep skins?
A key question is whether or not players' skins, which frequently cost a lot of money and pile up to a high sum regardless of the skins they purchased, will appear in the sequel. However, long-time Counter-Strike players who have amassed a collection of skins and other stuff may exhale a collective sigh of relief, as Valve has confirmed that skins and inventory will be transferred over to Counter-Strike 2.
That was confirmed via a statement on the website that says "Bring your entire CS:GO inventory with you to Counter-Strike 2. Not only will you keep every item you’ve collected over the years, but they’ll all benefit from Source 2 lighting and materials."
The statement goes on to say "In addition to supporting legacy models and finishes, all stock weapons have been upgraded with high-resolution models, and some weapon finishes take advantage of these new models." This implies that skin designs stay mostly identical, but some knife finishes, for example, now have far more shimmer and shine.
When will Counter Strike 2 be released?
Counter Strike 2 (CS2) was officially released on September 27, 2023, following hints dropped a week earlier on September 20 on social media, alluding to a 'next Wednesday' launch. This release came slightly later than initially anticipated, as Valve had previously announced it for Summer 2023. However, considering Valve's historical track record, this delay is relatively minor. They also delivered on the date teased just a week ago, contrary to some speculation.
Thus as a result, the Limited Test phase has concluded, granting free access to the full game on Steam. For existing CS:GO players, a simple update will transform it into CS2. However, newcomers or those who've uninstalled CS:GO should visit the Counter-Strike 2 Steam page to download the game.
