As the Counter-Strike 2 release date.
With CS2 skins and – potentially – a couple of whole-new weapons.
We know that the existing weapon models are getting a sweet, Source 2-powered visual overhaul, but we're already getting glimpses of the new knife skins and weapons that could be making their way to CS2 in the summer.
First up, we have a new, twin-blade knife, which looks kind of similar to the iconic energy sword from Halo. This is most likely a new skin, but could be an entirely new weapon.
Located in the Counter-Strike 2 beta files by Valve content creator 'GabeFollower,' there is also reference to a weapon called simply 'pipe' (like 'Cher'). This could be an all-new melee weapon, but the more exciting possibility is a new type of throwable explosive modelled after the pipe bomb from Valve's own Left 4 Dead.
Given its delicate weapon economy, entirely new weapons are a rarity in Counter-Strike – veterans will the debacle following the introduction of the R8 Revolver in 2016, which had to be swiftly nerfed after throwing the meta into chaos. Given this, it's possible that a pipe bomb (or even an innocuous bit of piping) would only come to Counter-Strike 2 if the shooter's free-for-all, battle-royale mode Danger Zone – which is balanced very differently than its traditional competitive format – were to make a return.
In the main game, however, we also have an interesting new find: apparently there are two new radio announcers, one male and one female. Shared by Twitter 'ALE,' you can listen to their full voice clips below.
Looks like we're getting new @CounterStrike 2 radio announcers.
Currently unused (as far as I am aware not in beta pls fix)
Two announcers – male and female. pic.twitter.com/cEMOjYGdmC
— ALE (@_ale_cs) March 23, 2023
As we wait for Counter-Strike 2 to arrive in full, try out some of the other best CS2 crosshairs, since all your items will carry over to CS2.