Six months ago, Valve announced its next-gen tactical FPS game, Counter-Strike 2. The game has been in beta testing since the surprise announcement and now, on September 27, it’s released for everyone. CS is now available for all users, ready to dominate the world of esports once again. With the release, we’ve learned the system requirements for CS2 and all the new features. Here’s everything you need to know.
Valve Releases Counter-Strike 2; Free to Play
Valve has released Counter-Strike 2 after teasing a ‘Summer 2023’ launch. The game utilizes the Source 2 engine with dynamic smoke grenades, revamped lighting, a slightly different UI, improved reflections, and completely overhauled gameplay.
Download Counter-Strike 2 from the Steam Store here. I’ve played CS2 beta extensively, and I can assure you that Counter Strike 2 differs significantly from its predecessor, CS:GO. Additionally, CS2 has drawn inspiration from its competitor, Valorant, while introducing other significant improvements. Discover the new features CS2 seems to have adopted from Valorant here.
Valve has also confirmed that all existing CS:GO inventory items will transfer to Counter-Strike 2 upon release. The skins appear more stunning now, thanks to Source 2’s graphics update. CS2 realizes the developer’s vision for the next generation of its tactical shooter in the Counter-Strike series. Wondering about CS:GO’s fate post-CS2 release? Explore it in the linked article.
Valve has officially shared the minimum system requirements for running Counter-Strike 2, listed below. CS2 is notably heavier than CS:GO. It’s currently available only for Windows PCs, with no information on a Mac release. Here are the PC system requirements:
| Component | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | Intel Core i5 750 or higher |
| Graphics (GPU) | DirectX11, 1GB VRAM, Shader Model 5.0 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 85 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 or later |
Official CS2 System Requirements by Valve (Source: Steam)
There’s a slight chance of a macOS version in the future. CS:GO had a macOS version and ran on the new ARM-based M1/M2 architecture on Macs through Rosetta ARM to x86 translation.
Counter-Strike 2 is poised to ignite the esports gaming industry and revolutionize multiplayer FPS esports again!? It’s rare to witness a once-in-a-decade moment like this, and we appreciate the community’s support during the wait (and keeping an eye on our CS2 countdown timer). Excited to finally play Counter-Strike 2? Let us know in the comments.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
