Counter-Strike 2 Leaks Online Ahead of Summer 2023 Release as Skins Reveal Creates Waves in the Market and More

After much anticipation and a crazy bunch of rumours, Valve finally decided to unveil its next big title for the players, Counter-Strike 2. The game has been scheduled to be released in the Summer of 2023 and will be arriving as a free update to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. At the moment, Counter-Strike 2 is in a limited testing phase, where only select players on Steam can try out the title.

Today we’re excited to announce Counter-Strike 2. Counter-Strike 2 is an overhaul to every system, every piece of content, and every part of the C-S experience. First, let’s talk about smoke grenades: pic.twitter.com/iTtguRHJ0S

— CS2 (@CounterStrike) March 22, 2023

However, it seems like having this limited test on Steam has had its consequences. Through a tweet by vx-underground, we learn that Counter-Strike 2 has leaked online ahead of its Summer 2023 Release Window. It is being speculated that one of the play testers has shared the game files for Counter Strike 2 online.

Right now the game is available to specially selected people on Steam. Our hypothesis is that one of these individuals shared the game files.

This game leak also cannot be played in multiplayer.

More details: https://t.co/TpaKvbUhZw

— vx-underground (@vxunderground) March 24, 2023

Counter-Strike 2 skins reveal puts market into a frenzy

For those who do not know, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s skin market was one of the biggest gaming marketplaces ever. Players splurge upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars just to dawn a new skin in the game. Moreover, if a player wished to purchase all the skins from the market, they would end up spending a whopping $5 Million.

It seems like this huge waves have been created in the market thanks to Valve’s latest announcement. According to a report by PCGamer, Valve has stated that players will be able to carry over their entire inventory from CS:GO to Counter Strike 2. Players will be allowed to retain every single item they collected from years of playing CS:GO, and these items will also benefit from “Source 2 lighting and materials”. It seems like this news has amped up the price for most existing skins.

Tarik needs more from Counter-Strike 2

Popular CS:GO veteran and Valorant professional player, Tarik has come out and expressed his opinions about the Counter-Strike 2 Beta. According to a report by DotEsports, Tarik is very happy with all the changes that Valve has brought to the game. However he still holds some reservations about the new smokes and hopes that the developer introduces a lot of content for players to try out.

Pyth retires from professional gaming

In other news, a professional Valorant player and former CS:GO Veteran, Jacob Mourujarvi aka “pyth” has announced his retirement. This announcement came at the same time Valve announced the arrival of Counter Strike 2. Pyth announced his retirement through a tweet, thanking all the fans that have supported him over his career.

It’s time for me to announce my retirement from @PlayVALORANT , thank you for everything <3

— pyth (@pythofficial) March 22, 2023