As soon as NVIDIA’s new driver update came through, a torrent of speculations regarding Counter-Strike 2 flooded the internet forums. If you were a teenager during the nostalgic 2010s, it is quite certain that you played at least one game of CSGO. The game was a massive hit not only in India but also in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and almost all other Asian countries. We kid you not, its popularity rivaled that of other games, even massive AAA titles. So it is a given fact that when rumors of a sequel began to emerge, long-time fans went berserk.
The Rumors
Counter-Strike has had a few updates and changes over its decade-long history but never a true sequel. But the player count continued to rise throughout the years. The main reason for this success is the solid core mechanics, an extremely robust esports scene, and a thriving marketplace for in-game items. However, the immense success of the first game also meant it was a double-edged sword. Valve, the developers of the game, never thought it prudent ever to finance a second game. Why would they? But in the new driver update some users found support for executable files labeled csgo2.exe and cs2.exe. And this was enough for things to reach a fever pitch.
Now hold your horses. An option in an NVIDIA driver update is proof enough to confirm that a sequel is coming out this year. Or in the recent future. But once again, even if it does not mean we are getting the long-awaited part two we can be sure this is some update for the existing game. This is not the first time this has happened. Some years ago, another driver update that arrived with rumors of a sequel for Titanfall or Crysis 4. Both were mere hype. One can never be sure but it is not bad to hope.
Upgrades
The most obvious change for any new version of CSGO would be an upgrade to the Source engine. The game runs on the old Source engine which though does not have any stutters yet, dates back to 2004. Valve does have a newer variety called Source 2 which powers other titles like Dota 2, Artifact, Dota: Underlords, and Half-Life: Alyx. Counter-Strike is yet to be ported to Source 2 thought, and Valve has avoided any official confirmation on the topic so far.
Veteran sports journalist Richard Lewis reported that the Source 2 engine version of CSGO will release this month. It will include an improved matchmaking system apart from other things. It will also take up graphical fidelity and optimization by several notches. The maps that have leaked so far are Shoots, Inferno, Lake, Overpass, Shortdust, and Italy. The skins that are an integral part of the game are not going away when the game will go to Source 2. Now let us see if the core gameplay mechanics will also undergo a change, or should we expect a seamless carryover from the old engine? Only time will tell.
Also read: Why Are My Instagram Stories Blurry? Causes And Solution
