Valve has officially announced Counter-Strike 2, set to launch in Summer 2023, as a free upgrade for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Thanks to a new 3d engine, Source 2, the game presents reimagined maps meticulously designed from the ground up utilizing innovative engine tools while preserving their original layout and features.

Players can expect enhanced graphics and optimized server performance for improved gameplay. In addition, Counter-Strike 2 boasts upgraded smoke effects, utilizing dynamic volumetric particles that interact with the environment and respond to light, shots, and explosions. Smoke particles now work with a unified lighting system to create more realistic effects.

Valve has described the new shooter as “the biggest technical leap in the history of the series.” The current version, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, was released in 2012.