Since 2014, Counter-Strike: International Offensive gamers have had one grievance: cheaters. As an alternative of upgrading the FPS recreation‘s anti-cheat software program, VAC or delivering a one-time resolution, Valve has deployed a sequence of annual ban waves. The paywall replace in 2021 did little to assist remedy the issue; CSGO hackers, it turned out, have been fairly loaded – quite a lot of them might merely purchase their means again in. Now, with the Counter-Strike 2 launch date approaching, there may be hope of a brand new and extra sturdy anti-cheat resolution. The CS2 trailers nonetheless appear to have doused these hopes in chilly water.
Moreover a leak right here and hearsay there, nothing substantial has been revealed relating to a brand new Counter-Strike 2 anti-cheat. That stated, there may be excessive probability Counter-Strike 2 may have the identical previous VAC, so it’s not too late to decrease your expectations and follow third-party platforms.
Counter-Strike 2 with no new anti-cheat means nothing
Counter-Strike 2 is meant to be game-changing, however because the restricted beta take a look at rolls on, gamers are already reporting cheaters. It appears CSGO’s decade-old situation has returned in Valve’s shiny new shooter.
Each multiplayer recreation has malicious actors, however hacking and dishonest in CSGO appear particularly prevalent. In 2021, Valve banned 304,655 cheaters in three months, illustrating how the dearth of an lively – or reasonably, proactive – watchdog can enable the issue to swell and unfold. Valve doesn’t actively pluck out the hackers, which means they get to wreak havoc till the arrival of a brand new ban wave.
Moreover tick charge, the poor efficiency of VAC has been the largest catalyst in pushing gamers to third-party platforms like FACEIT. Now, Counter-Strike 2 has been launched with three main adjustments relating to maps, smoke grenades, and the dreaded tick charge, however close to anti-cheat, the one hope now we have is a few minor print on the backside of Valve’s announcement.
“The Restricted Check solely evaluates a subset of Counter-Strike 2’s options in order that main points will be resolved earlier than the summer time. However there’s rather more to return. In just some months we’ll reveal the entire particulars of Counter-Strike 2,” Valve says.
If Valve had any plans for a significant overhaul to its anti-cheat system, it most likely would have been introduced by now. It’s beginning to really feel like Counter-Strike 2 could use the identical, or a minimum of a really comparable type of VAC that we’ve encountered already in CSGO. If that’s the case, it will likely be an actual disappointment for followers wanting ahead to video games on the Valve official servers.
Counter-Strike 2 is providing higher visuals, responsive smokes, and even seen legs! However, with no new and improved anti-cheat, the shooter could grow to be an actual take a look at of endurance. As a lot as we need to take pleasure in all of the shiny new options, the reality is that nothing else actually issues if you happen to can’t play truthful. As at all times, critical gamers will flip to FACEIT and ESEA for wholesome competitors. As for matchmaking, effectively, it would simply grow to be a breeding floor for trolls who create humorous YouTube content material.
Will Counter-Strike 2 have any new anti-cheat options?
To this point, knowledge miners have been capable of finding clues within the CS2 restricted take a look at spaghetti code that recommend tweaks to VAC, however nothing like an overhaul. A brand new characteristic referred to as VAC Reside may match to detect third-party software program in real-time, immediately cancelling matches if a cheater is detected, just like Riot’s Vanguard system in Valorant. That appears like one thing, however the situation with VAC Reside is that it’s nonetheless, basically, VAC. If Reside detects cheaters utilizing the identical strategies as ever, don’t count on quite a lot of cancelled matches in CS2 – the hackers will nonetheless be getting away with it.
If, nonetheless, Valve makes VAC Reside extra invasive, with higher entry to gamers’ CS2 information, there’s a sliver of hope for MM beasts. Whereas an invasive anti-cheat will elevate considerations about privateness, personally I’d sacrifice just a little extra participant knowledge if it meant ridding my recreation of cheaters. Most critical CSGO gamers gravitate in direction of FACEIT anyway – an identical program for official matchmaking could be welcomed with open arms.
Whereas it’s unlikely Valve will announce any extra main adjustments, it by no means hurts to stay optimistic and hold these fingers crossed for an anti-cheat improve. Within the meantime, get ready with all of the Counter-Strike 2 maps confirmed thus far, a few of that are being completely rebuilt utilizing Supply 2.
