CS2 players convinced major patch is imminent after Valve’s latest update

Updates from Valve for Counter-Strike 2 have been few and far between to start 2024, but their latest patch, despite being tiny, has actually given players hope that a major update is on the horizon.

There is tangible concern among the CS community as Counter-Strike 2 continues to lack many of the modes and features once present in the now effectively defunct CS:GO.

From small commands like cl_bob, to entire game modes like Danger Zone, CS2 released more polished, but significantly less complete, game than its predecessor.

But, when Valve dropped a somewhat facetious update on January 18, which included only a single, tiny change, it actually sparked some hope among the community.

Major CS2 update impending?

Valve’s latest update to CS2 included only one change – a fix for geometry on Vertigo that was possible to see through.

Initial reactions were somewhat dismayed – after weeks of very little in terms of updates, the first patch notes containing a single change seemed almost farcical.

However, theories soon began to emerge that signalled potential light at the end of the tunnel. In particular, a handful of players expect that this update was almost too whimsical to not be intended as a teaser.

CS community member Mercy explained, “By making this post, it seems like CS2 is getting something BIG coming soon.

“Otherwise, considering the current state of the game, which is very bad, they wouldn’t dare make such a move.”

This assumption relies on Valve being aware of the impatience which is palpable among players on social media.

CS trader and Twitch streamer zipel put it to a poll, asking followers if he believes the small update is in fact a sign of something bigger to come.

“Yes” was victorious in the poll, although not by a large margin.

However, others argued that any significant content update is not likely to be released before the first CS2 Major, PGL Copenhagen. Rather, Valve will be focusing on ‘core issues’ affecting competitive gameplay.

Valve, as always, is keeping things on the low. For all the community knows, the next update could be in 24 hours or 24 days.

For the time being, the player count of CS2 has stabilized, after taking a bit of a nosedive after release. Whether the upcoming IEM Katowice, the Major, or a big update, is enough to see a resurgence, remains to be seen.