CS:GO Case Tracker, a CS2 case tracking website, reported that Valve raked in an estimated $980 million USD from Counter-Strike 2 case openings in 2023. Fans expressed mixed reactions to the report. Read on to know more.
CS2 Case Openings in 2023 Reportedly Earned Valve Nearly $1 Billion Revenue
All-Time High Year for Valve According to Case Tracking Website
CS:GO Case Tracker, a site known for monitoring case openings and revenue of multiplayer FPS Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), presented its year-in-review data. The research conducted by the tracking website suggested an all-time high year for Valve, reporting that the Counter-Strike makers earned nearly $980 million USD from the in-game feature.
CS:GO Cases, also known as Weapon Cases, were first introduced in The Arms Deal update. Players have the opportunity to receive a case as a post-match drop. To open these cases, players need to purchase keys. These keys are sold in the game at a fixed price of $2.50.
Upon purchasing a key, there is a restriction on trading it for one week. However, players can immediately resell the key on the Steam Community Market. The prices of these keys vary and tend to increase in community markets. The system creates a market around the CS cases and keys.
- [1] Photo taken from csgocasetracker
However, the reported figure did not account for case purchases made through the Steam Community Market, where Valve takes a significant cut, nor did it include cases sold through the CS2 store. Valve's revenue from this in-game feature is expected to be above the reported $980 million.
The website estimated the following statistics:
● 359.6 mil. keys consumed
● 980.0 mil. USD spent
● Case prices have increased by 178%
● The "CS:GO Weapon Case" increased by $25USD, the largest in absolute numbers
● 400 318 821 cases were unboxed
The website noted, "Counter-Strike 2's announcement on March 22nd led to a significant increase in unboxing numbers in March and April, peaking at 50.3 million unboxings in April. The game's release on September 27th triggered another surge in unboxing activities, notably reflected in October's statistics."
CS2 Fans Are Not Impressed
- [2] Screenshot taken from r/GlobalOffensive Reddit thread
The news sparked mixed reactions from players, with some expressing sarcastic frustration over Valve's seemingly hands-off approach on CS2, while generating substantial revenue.
- [2] Screenshot taken from r/GlobalOffensive Reddit thread
Some fans argued that the game is a "glorified casino" and encourages questionable behavior (read: gambling) in games.
Sources:
[1] CS2 Case Tracker: 2023 Year in Review
Valve reportedly raked in nearly a billion dollars from CS2 case openings in 2023
CS2 Key Price: Buying and Selling Keys
[2] r/GlobalOffensive Reddit thread
Valve reportedly earned almost billion dollars from case openings in 2023, biggest revenue in history of CS
