Since 2014, Counter-Strike: International Offensive gamers have had one criticism: cheaters. As an alternative of upgrading the FPS sport‘s anti-cheat software program, VAC or delivering a one-time resolution, Valve has deployed a collection of annual ban waves. The paywall replace in 2021 did little to assist resolve the issue; CSGO hackers, it turned out, have been fairly loaded – a whole lot of them may merely purchase their manner again in. Now, with the Counter-Strike 2 launch date approaching, there’s hope of a brand new and extra sturdy anti-cheat resolution. The CS2 trailers nevertheless appear to have doused these hopes in chilly water.
In addition to a leak right here and hearsay there, nothing substantial has been revealed concerning a brand new Counter-Strike 2 anti-cheat. That mentioned, there’s excessive probability Counter-Strike 2 could have the identical previous VAC, so it’s not too late to decrease your expectations and stick with third-party platforms.
Counter-Strike 2 with out a new anti-cheat means nothing
Counter-Strike 2 is meant to be game-changing, however because the restricted beta check rolls on, gamers are already reporting cheaters. It appears CSGO’s decade-old subject has returned in Valve’s shiny new shooter.
Each multiplayer sport 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 shortage of an lively – or moderately, proactive – watchdog can permit 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.
In addition to tick charge, the poor efficiency of VAC has been the most important catalyst in pushing gamers to third-party platforms like FACEIT. Now, Counter-Strike 2 has been launched with three main adjustments concerning maps, smoke grenades, and the dreaded tick charge, however almost about 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 may be resolved earlier than the summer season. However there’s way more to return. In only a few months we’ll reveal the entire particulars of Counter-Strike 2,” Valve says.
If Valve had any plans for a serious 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 might 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 is going to be an actual disappointment for followers trying ahead to video games on the Valve official servers.
Counter-Strike 2 is providing higher visuals, responsive smokes, and even seen legs! However, with out a new and improved anti-cheat, the shooter might grow to be an actual check of endurance. As a lot as we wish to get pleasure from all of the shiny new options, the reality is that nothing else actually issues when you can’t play truthful. As at all times, critical gamers will flip to FACEIT and ESEA for wholesome competitors. As for matchmaking, nicely, it’d 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?
Thus far, information miners have been capable of finding clues within the CS2 restricted check spaghetti code that counsel tweaks to VAC, however nothing like an overhaul. A brand new characteristic known as VAC Reside may go to detect third-party software program in real-time, immediately cancelling matches if a cheater is detected, much like Riot’s Vanguard system in Valorant. That feels like one thing, however the subject with VAC Reside is that it’s nonetheless, basically, VAC. If Reside detects cheaters utilizing the identical strategies as ever, don’t anticipate a whole lot of cancelled matches in CS2 – the hackers will nonetheless be getting away with it.
If, nevertheless, 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 increase considerations about privateness, personally I’d sacrifice slightly extra participant information if it meant ridding my sport 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 to date, a few of that are being completely rebuilt utilizing Supply 2.
