Counter-Strike 2
Counter-Strike 2 is Valve's free-to-play competitive first-person shooter — teams manage weapons, utility and economy across objective-driven rounds. It has been out on Windows and SteamOS / Linux since September 27, 2023, with Premier Season 5 and Valve's July 20, 2026 gameplay update now current.
Latest update
Valve's July 20, 2026 update makes the bomb-damage health preview appear once the bomb becomes audible, lets bomb explosions interact with smoke and molotov or incendiary fire, and updates Fachwerk, Boulder and Debris from the Community Workshop. Premier Season 5 remains current after its July 8 start, with Cache replacing Overpass in Active Duty.
Release date and status
Valve released Counter-Strike 2 as a free upgrade on September 27, 2023 for Windows and SteamOS / Linux. Steam App 730 still displays an August 21, 2012 storefront date inherited from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, which Counter-Strike 2 replaced in place.
| Global release date | September 27, 2023 |
| Original launch platforms | |
| Current status | Released |
| Pricing model | Free-to-play·In-app purchases |
| Availability | Free through Steam on Windows and SteamOS / Linux; the optional Prime Status Upgrade costs $14.99 in the US, and no native Mac, console or mobile version is listed |
Platforms and availability
The native release is available through Steam on Windows and SteamOS / Linux. Steam does not list a current macOS build, and Valve has not announced PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo or mobile versions.
Gameplay overview
Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists compete in economy-driven rounds built around weapon purchases, utility, positioning and team objectives. Premier adds map selection, twelve-round halves, overtime, CS Ratings and global or regional leaderboards, while Source 2 introduces subtick networking, reactive volumetric smoke and upgraded maps.
Story, setting, or main mode
Counter-Strike 2 has no story campaign; its main competitive format is objective-based team play. Bomb-defusal rounds ask one side to plant and protect the C4 while the other prevents or defuses it, with hostage rescue and additional official or community modes available alongside Premier.
Trailer, screenshots, and media
Valve's launch trailer and Steam gallery show Source 2 maps, tactical firefights, weapon handling, objective sites, redesigned lighting and the dynamic smoke system changing sightlines during matches.
Developer and publisher
Valve develops and publishes Counter-Strike 2 and distributes the game through Steam.
| Developer | Valve |
| Publisher | Valve |
| Official website | Counter-Strike 2 |
Download and availability
The base game is free to download. Steam lists the optional Prime Status Upgrade at $14.99 in the United States and supports additional in-game purchases for cosmetic inventory items.
System / Device Requirements
Steam publishes minimum configurations for Windows and Ubuntu-based Linux but does not provide a recommended hardware tier.
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Supported system | Windows 10 or Ubuntu 20.04 | Not published by Valve |
| Processor | 4 hardware CPU threads; Intel Core i5-750 or higher | Not published by Valve |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | Not published by Valve |
| Graphics | Windows: 1 GB DirectX 11 / Shader Model 5.0; Linux: AMD GCN+ or NVIDIA Kepler+ with current Vulkan drivers | Not published by Valve |
| DirectX | Version 11 on Windows | Not published by Valve |
| Storage | 85 GB available | Not published by Valve |