Counter-Strike 2’s new update invites as many players as possible to the Limited Test. Read on to learn more about the recently unveiled rating system, leaderboards, match length changes, overhauled Inferno and more.
Counter-Strike 2 Unleashes Massive Update
Rating System, Reduced Match Length, Inferno, and the Open Beta
Valve has introduced a massive update with a wide variety of long-awaited features to the long awaited sequel of one of the greatest FPS shooters, Counter-Strike 2.
The new update has implemented a new rating system, where a player’s Matchmaking Rating, also known as MMR, is now visible. MMR can now be gained by playing in Premier mode, and matchmaking ranks are obtained per map.
The update has also now shortened all official competitive matchmaking games from MR15 to MR12. MR stands for “max rounds” per half. With MR12, the total possible rounds a match can reach is 24. Teams must now get 13 out of 24 rounds to win. Overtime has also been added in cases of a tie.
Inferno has also finally been revealed in its newly overhauled state, receiving numerous environmental upgrades and changes.
Valve has officially opened the beta for Counter-Strike 2 to those outside of random invites. To be eligible for the Limited Test, you must have CS:GO Prime status, an active matchmaking rank, and have recently played an official matchmaking game in a regional server where the Limited Test is available.
In Depth Look At Everything
Premier Mode, Rating System, Leaderboards, and Per-Map Ranks
The latest version now includes Premier Mode, something that was introduced in Counter-Strike:Global Offensive. Queuing in this mode has teams banning maps from the Active Duty Map Pool in alternate turns, reducing the number of maps each team does not want to play until one map remains. This is a map pick-and-ban system that was only previously available in third party apps.
Participating in Premier Mode affects a player’s “CS Rating” that will be publicly visible on multiple leaderboards: one leaderboard among friends, one for an entire regional server pooling from different countries, and one that spans the entire world.
Previously in CS:GO, ranks were determined from both Premier Mode and regular queuing. With the introduction of CS Rating, the ranks have been separated, with normal matchmaking not utilizing the new CS Rating. Another change is that ranks are now specific to maps in the Active Duty Pool, being earned per map rather than across all. For example, one might be ranked Global Elite in Mirage, but that will not be carried over to other maps.
Shortened Match Length With Overtime
The match length of competitive games has been reduced from MR15 to MR12. The winning condition is to win the majority of rounds possible in a game. Previously in MR15, the team first to win 16 rounds out of 30 claimed victory. Now the winning condition will be 13 out of 24 rounds.
Overtime has finally been included for tie cases. Before, when reaching tie games at 15-15, matches ended as draws. Now, games that reach a tie scoreline of 12-12 with MR12 will go into overtime and be extended by MR3. A team wins the MR3 when they get 4 out of 6 rounds. For each subsequent tie, another overtime MR3 will be played until a winner emerges.
The Overhauled Inferno
Inferno had been previously teased as one of the overhauled maps shown in the initial Counter-Strike 2 reveal. Now released with various environmental changes, this new iteration makes subtle changes while still preserving its former layout.
Changes include covering up Banana’s upper section and removing railings into T-Apts. It is still unknown if any of these subtle revisions could significantly change how the map is played. As the Limited Test continues, players will undoubtedly be striving to find all sorts of tips and tricks that many will make use of in the new Inferno.
Will CS2 Be Ready to Release?
The Beta Opens Just As Summer’s End Approaches
Counter-Strike 2 is seemingly racing against time to release before summer ends.
The official end of summer is slated to fall on September 23. These last few updates strongly indicate Valve gearing up for the official release within the next coming weeks.
However, can this latest update be tested thoroughly enough in the Limited Test in under a month? The beta has been subject to countless bug findings and exploits by testers throughout its duration. Implementing entirely new and important features so close to release might actually cause more harm than good for the health of the game.
Playtesters have been implored by the developers to send any discovered bugs to their email.
With the open beta, Valve hopes to get enough feedback and stress-test the servers as we reach the end of summer. Until then, fans can only play and test on while waiting for the full release of Counter-Strike 2.
