Counter-Strike 2 may look great but without new anti-cheat it’s doomed

Since 2014, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive gamers have had one grievance: cheaters. As a substitute of upgrading the FPS game‘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 remedy the issue; CSGO hackers, it turned out, had been fairly loaded – quite a lot of them might merely purchase their manner again in. Now, with the Counter-Strike 2 release date approaching, there’s hope of a brand new and extra strong 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 concerning a brand new Counter-Strike 2 anti-cheat. That mentioned, there’s excessive probability Counter-Strike 2 may 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 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 challenge 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 dearth of an energetic – or relatively, proactive – watchdog can enable the issue to swell and unfold. Valve doesn’t actively pluck out the hackers, that means they get to wreak havoc till the arrival of a brand new ban wave.

Moreover tick price, 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 modifications concerning maps, smoke grenades, and the dreaded tick price, however with reference to anti-cheat, the one hope we’ve got 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 time. However there’s far more to come back. In just some 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 in all probability would have been introduced by now. It’s beginning to really feel like Counter-Strike 2 could use the identical, or not less than a really related type of VAC that we’ve encountered already in CSGO. If that’s the case, will probably 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 turn out to be an actual take a look at of persistence. As a lot as we wish to get pleasure from all of the shiny new options, the reality is that nothing else actually issues in the event you can’t play honest. As at all times, critical gamers will flip to FACEIT and ESEA for wholesome competitors. As for matchmaking, effectively, it’d simply turn out 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 take a look at spaghetti code that recommend tweaks to VAC, however nothing like an overhaul. A brand new function referred to as VAC Stay may go to detect third-party software program in real-time, instantly cancelling matches if a cheater is detected, just like Riot’s Vanguard system in Valorant. That feels like one thing, however the challenge with VAC Stay is that it’s nonetheless, essentially, VAC. If Stay 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 Stay 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 a bit 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 can be welcomed with open arms.

Whereas it’s unlikely Valve will announce any extra main modifications, it by no means hurts to stay optimistic and preserve these fingers crossed for an anti-cheat improve. Within the meantime, get ready with all of the Counter-Strike 2 maps confirmed to this point, a few of that are being completely rebuilt utilizing Supply 2.