Rumors of a new version of Counter-Strike have been circulating for weeks. Notes in driver updates, insider information and now fresh trademark rights entries. Valve is clearly working on something, the reveal shouldn’t be too long in coming.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has been in the highly competitive online shooter market for over ten years. Of course, there have been some ups and downs during this time, but the game is currently enjoying higher player numbers than ever before. The number of viewers at tournaments regularly break records and Valve earns a golden nose with the skins. Actually, there would be no reason to change anything.
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But rumors have been germinating for weeks that a fresh offshoot or a new version of Counter-Strike is in development. First, a leak in an Nvidia driver caused a stir. A few insiders then spoke up. Of course, many community members also insist on regularly digging through the Steam database, following developers online and pumping up all the little bits of information.
In addition to numerous other rumors, there are now more solid references to Counter-Strike 2. On March 14, 2023, the Valve Corporation filed trademark applications for “COUNTER STRIKE” and “CS2” in the US state of Washington. The company’s headquarters are also located here, in Seattle.
The most likely thing that is currently being discussed in the community is that Global Offensive will be ported to Source Engine 2. It speaks for the fact that players would not lose their skins and further purchases in this way. After the entries, speculations are now circulating that a beta could start in March or April. Because legal processes such as registering trademark rights can take up to six months before they really become valid.
The official Counter-Strike Twitter account caused further uproar these days. Valve swapped out the profile banner, here are five side-by-side versions of the game’s well-known logo. Counter-Strike 2 (or whatever the port would be called) would actually be the fifth iteration of the shooter. It’s really about time, Valve. Give us concrete information!