Counter-Strike 2 Update (Sep 22, 2026)

This update introduces changes to map selection, a new Rush mode, gameplay and crosshair improvements, engine and map fixes, social and item features, level-volume entities, and new SDK/API additions.

Map selection

• Updated the map selection process to give players more opportunities to play maps they've been learning.
• Map selection process:
  • Team 1 picks one map
  • Team 2 picks two maps
  • Team 1 picks a final map
  • One of the four maps will be randomly selected and the match will begin.

New game mode: Rush

• Rush is a fast-paced queued 3v3 game mode.
• Players battle through a series of battle arenas to reach the opponent's castle and win the match.
• Battle arenas are randomly selected for each match, so no two matches are the same.
• Control the tower when you eliminate the enemy team (or time expires) to win the round.

Gameplay changes

• Reload: Players can now reload silently (but slowly) by pressing and holding the reload key.
• Snipers: Un-scoping a sniper weapon no longer produces a sound.
• Visuals: Globally increased visual clarity and improved fidelity of bullet impact decals.
• Convars: ammo_grenade_limit_total setting now also enforces the total number of grenades a player is allowed to purchase in a round.
• Misc: Chickens now take damage from the Zeus x27.

Crosshairs and scopes

• Crosshairs have been updated to be resolution independent.
• A new Crosshair/Scopes tab is available in the Settings menu, and includes updated crosshair settings.
• Added new crosshair styles.
• Updated the default crosshair to Dynamic Quad, which better represents weapon accuracy.

Engine

• Updated engine code to the latest version of Source 2.

Map fixes

• Ancient

  • Fixed holes in world in Long A Main Hall.
  • Adjusted door geometry and grenade clipping inside Jaguar.

• Cache

  • Some gap fixes and clipping adjustments around the blue doors in Mid.

• Mirage

  • Reinforced scaffolding by balcony in A site.

• Train

  • Blocked pixel gap in crates on bombsite A.

Social, items, and other fixes

• Clan Tag: Added ability to set a Clan Tag for players who are members of Steam Community Groups. You can adjust your Clan Tag from your Player Profile.
• Items: Added support for applying stickers to C4.
• Store: The Starjunk 95, Industrial Sunset Memories Music Kit is now available for purchase in standard and StatTrak versions through the STORE tab.
• Scoreboard: Halftime scoreboard stats should now fully reflect the results of the previous round.
• Bugs: Fixed a case where players could avoid a kick ban.

Level design volumes

• Added minimap_volume entity which enables a custom minimap image when a player is within the volume.
• Added sky_camera_volume and sky_camera_volume_target, which enable custom location-specific skybox rendering.
• Added point_deathcam_bounds entity that constrains the player death camera.
• Added env_shake_volume entity that allows camera shake only within a specified volume.

SDK and API

• Added CSRadarPoint entity.
• Added CSObservablePoint entity.
• Added AddTeamMoney API method.
• Added OnPlayerTeamChanged callback.
• SetDialogVariableString now accepts a localization string.