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Valve has today announced Counter-Strike 2, which will be arriving in Summer 2023 and they've released some details on what's changed. 

This will be a big free Source 2 upgrade for Global Offensive, with some of the features being announced now including responsive smoke, sub-tick updates for more responsive gameplay, overhauled maps, Source 2 tooling for the community, your whole inventory carries over from CS:GO, higher resolution models for basically everything, improved visual effects, an upgraded UI and much much more.

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They're doing a Limited Test too, which is based upon invitations. Seems like they have more to announce, as the limited test and the features being revealed are "a subset of Counter-Strike 2's features, so that major issues can be resolved before the summer" and they will reveal more in "a few months".

As for how to get into the limited test? They will be selecting people based on recent playtime, trust factor, Steam account standing and so on. If you are chosen, you get a notification inside CS:GO, so you'll need to keep checking back with more players being added over time.

The limited test is Windows-only but SteamDB shows it all clearly set up for Linux and macOS too. It's likely just to get the main technical testing done they're keeping the platforms smaller to get it finished.

See more on the new website and the FAQ.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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30 comments
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Purple Library Guy Mar 22, 2023
Responsive smoke? Yes, well, I too hate it when my smoke is unresponsive.
BlackBloodRum Mar 22, 2023
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According to the FAQ, the limited test will only be available on Windows. That's a little strange, I'd have thought Valve would use this game / opportunity to push the Steam Deck[1] and/or native Linux games.

I wonder if the final build will be proton only then?

[1] I'm aware most PC-based FPS players would pick a keyboard / mouse combo any day. However console gamers use gamepads all the time, so it's not as fetched as you may think.
TheSHEEEP Mar 22, 2023
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Makes sense that they'd do a sequel to one of the few games left where they wouldn't have to count to three.
artixbtw Mar 22, 2023
Testing pool is Windows-only. I don't play CS:GO at all, but that hurt nonetheless.

I want to experiment more so than play anyway. Perhaps we just need to wait for someone to leak the early builds.


Last edited by artixbtw on 22 March 2023 at 5:41 pm UTC
poiuz Mar 22, 2023
It's probably not a game, just an item shop with some gamifications => no good fit for Linux…
mr-victory Mar 22, 2023
Proton? Or Steam inside wine? Anyone?


Last edited by mr-victory on 22 March 2023 at 6:09 pm UTC
mrdeathjr Mar 22, 2023
QuoteThe limited test is Windows-only.



ShadMessa Mar 22, 2023
no invite for linux. I am sad.
Bogomips Mar 22, 2023
Volumetric smokes could be really nice but I am curious to know how it will interact with incendiaries/molotovs.


Last edited by Bogomips on 22 March 2023 at 7:29 pm UTC
WORM Mar 22, 2023
This was a good opportunity for CS to turn things around for Linux gamers. CS:GO's deck compatibility is still only "playable." Which is sad considering it's Valve's own title and it continues to be one of their most popular. In late 2021, Valve demonstrated that they don't test their Linux builds. In 2020, they rolled out a new gamemode that to this day only consistently works on Windows. That's right, this issue has had two birthdays!

Excluding Linux players hurts. It suggests that nothing has changed internally. It also means that I won't be able to join my friends when they all get invites. But it is just early testing, so perhaps things could still be different.

Quoting: mr-victoryProton? Or Steam inside wine? Anyone?
I'll certainly try Proton. If/when I get enrolled I can report my findings.
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