Since 2014, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players have had only one complaint: cheaters. Rather than update the game’s FPS anti-cheat software, VAC, or provide a one-size-fits-all solution, Valve has implemented a series of annual waves of bans. The 2021 paywall update did little to fix the problem; As it turned out, CSGO hackers were very busy: many of them could simply buy their way back. With the Counter-Strike 2 release date approaching, there is hope for a new and more robust anti-cheat solution. However, CS2’s advances appear to have dashed those hopes.
Aside from a leak here and rumors there, nothing significant has been found regarding Counter-Strike 2’s new anti-cheat system. However, Counter-Strike 2 will most likely have the same VAC as before, so It’s not too late to lower your expectations and stick with third-party platforms.
Counter-Strike 2 means nothing without a new anti-cheat
Counter-Strike 2 is supposed to be a game changer, but as the limited beta continues, players are already reporting cheating. It looks like the CSGO fail of a decade is back in a brilliant new shooter from Valve.
There are intruders in all multiplayer games, but CSGO hacking and cheating seems to be particularly common. In 2021, Valve banned 304,655 cheaters in three months, suggesting that the lack of an active, or rather proactive, watchdog could allow the problem to grow and spread. Valve doesn’t actively stop hackers, which means they can wreak havoc before another wave of bans hits.
In addition to tickrate, VAC’s poor performance was the main catalyst that pushed players towards third-party platforms like FACEIT. So Counter-Strike 2 came out with three major map changes, smoke grenades, and a terrifying tickrate, but when it comes to anti-cheats, the only hope we have is a little stamp at the bottom of Valve’s announcement. .
“The limited test only tests a subset of Counter-Strike 2 features, so major issues can be resolved before summer. But that is not all. In just a few months, we will reveal all the details of Counter-Strike 2”, says Valve.
If Valve intended to revise their anti-cheat system, they probably would have announced it by now. It looks like Counter-Strike 2 could use the same, or at least a very similar, form of VAC that we’ve seen before in CSGO. If so, it will be a real disappointment for fans who can’t wait to play on Valve’s official servers.
Counter-Strike 2 features enhanced visuals, responsive smoke, and even visible legs! But without a new and improved anti-cheat, a shooter can be a real test of patience. While we’d love to take advantage of all the shiny new features, the truth is, nothing else matters if you can’t play fair. As always, serious gamers will turn to FACEIT and ESEA for some healthy competition. As for matchmaking, it can be fertile ground for trolls to create funny content on YouTube.
Will there be new anti-cheat features in Counter-Strike 2?
So far, data miners have been able to find clues in the limited CS2 spaghetti test code that suggests VAC settings, but nothing like a hotfix. A new feature called VAC Live can work to detect third-party software in real time, instantly voiding matches if a cheater is detected, similar to Riot’s Vanguard system in Valorant. It sounds like something, but the problem with VAC Live is that it’s still basically stroke. If Live detects cheaters in the same way as before, don’t expect many CS2 game cancels; hackers can get away with it anyway.
However, if Valve makes VAC Live more invasive, with better access to CS2 player information, there will be a silver lining to the MM beasts. While invasive anti-cheat raises privacy concerns, I personally would sacrifice a bit more player data if it meant ridding my game of cheaters. Most serious CSGO players gravitate towards FACEIT anyway – a program like this for official matchmaking will be welcomed with open arms.
While it’s unlikely Valve will announce any major changes, it never hurts to stay optimistic and cross your fingers for an anti-cheat update. In the meantime, get ready for all the confirmed Counter-Strike 2 maps, some of which have been completely rebuilt with Source 2.
Source : PC Gamesn
