Valve has dropped another update to Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test Beta, this time beating everyone’s expectations! In this update, they have not added any new maps or game modes but have done something that would make the experience of the lucky few who are a part of the Limited Test Beta program for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s successor, CS2, even more complete.
Today we're adding all maps shipped thus far in CS2 into one Casual playlist. This and more in today's Release Notes: https://t.co/wBLPW5vSqE
— CS2 (@CounterStrike) August 17, 2023
The Seattle-based gaming giant announced the release of CS2 back in March with the Limited Test Beta Program, highlighting and testing some of the biggest changes to the game prior to its release. In case you didn’t know, Valve has added a multitude of changes and new features to CS2, apart from the engine upgrade. They have been rotating maps in the playable pool and making changes to game modes as well.
The last update of Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test Beta included a new map, cs_italy (aka Italy) to Deathmatch and Casual game modes. Valve had also disabled Competitive and Private Matchmaking for the players playing CS2. This was in line with their update pattern, which included gameplay adjustments and changes to game modes and map pools.
Latest CS2 update has enabled all game modes for offline play
With their latest update, which dropped on August 17, they have broken their pattern. The developers made all the maps that had been previously shipped as a part of the updates playable in Casual and Deathmatch game modes online. For offline players, in the words of Valve, “All maps and game modes previously shipped in the Limited Test are available”. There have also been changes to some gameplay elements, which you can read in the update notes here.
However, that is not it! As is the case with every update CS2 has been receiving, data miners scrambled to get some hidden info from the game files. This time, the findings reveal two maps which could potentially make their way into the game. As per the findings of renowned Counter-Strike data miner Aquarius, the 'gamemodes.txt' file reveals that de_inferno (Inferno) and de_train (Train) could be the next maps shipped in the game.
Based on the changes to the 'gamemodes.txt' file, it seems like the next Counter-Strike 2 maps are going to be de_inferno and possibly de_train. pic.twitter.com/i1o3GoD1it
— Aquarius (@aquaismissing) August 18, 2023
Counter-Strike 2’s release is now close than it has ever been! The active updates being sent to the people who are a part of the program, as I stated in my earlier coverage of the updates, indicate that the game release is on time. Now, I cannot confirm any dates, but there is still time for the North American Summer to get over, so it is not too late.
Sounds like an appetizer before the main course. https://t.co/SCdUzzjWhg
— Gabe Follower (@gabefollower) August 17, 2023
Some people are also speculating that our Lord Gaben could decide to release the game on the same day as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, which is August 21. Let’s hope that we get to experience another decade of exciting Counter-Strike action whenever CS2 releases.
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Satvik Pandey
Satvik Pandey, is a self-professed Steve Jobs (not Apple) fanboy, a science & tech writer, and a sports addict. At Digit, he works as a Deputy Features Editor, and manages the daily functioning of the magazine. He also reviews audio-products (speakers, headphones, soundbars, etc.), smartwatches, projectors, and everything else that he can get his hands on. A media and communications graduate, Satvik is also an avid shutterbug, and when he's not working or gaming, he can be found fiddling with any camera he can get his hands on and helping produce videos – which means he spends an awful amount of time in our studio. His game of choice is Counter-Strike, and he's still attempting to turn pro. He can talk your ear off about the game, and we'd strongly advise you to steer clear of the topic unless you too are a CS junkie. View Full Profile
