What to expect from the transition to Source 2

According to the SteamDB database, on March 6, the CS:GO files were updated with several data packs. One of them has AppID 2279721, which may correspond to the Source 2 Workshop Tools for CS:GO. 

Currently, information about the application with this number is hidden from view, but dataminers are based on a comparison with similar IDs in information about Dota 2, which has been running on a new version of the engine for several years. A comparison of the file names and keywords found in them suggests that similar tools have now been added to CS:GO.

What to expect from the new version? However, players expect this to happen soon, since the update should bring several improvements at once. 

One of them could be an update to the matchmaking system. According to many, it should become more transparent. While on FACEIT players can see detailed data about matches played, which becomes the basis for calculating their rating, in official matchmaking the system remains largely closed.  

Judging from the experience of the Dota 2 update, there will be no significant changes in the FPS indicator. On the one hand, Source 2 is better optimized and adapted to work on modern hardware than the first version, which is already more than fifteen years old. On the other hand, the update will improve textures, shaders and various graphic elements of the cards, which will create additional load. These two effects may simply cancel each other out. Most players should not have problems with system requirements, because Source 2 was also released about ten years ago, which means it will work on older machines without problems. Anti-cheat will most likely remain the same. According to Valve, it is already quite effective, despite the fact that from time to time it causes criticism from the community. The current system combines different methods for detecting foul play, including analyzing player behavior using artificial intelligence and involving other participants in the analysis of difficult cases. While we can expect improvements in the quality of textures and lighting, significant changes in the graphical style are also unlikely. Judging by information from insiders, cards with the prefix s2, which have been being worked on over the past six months, are almost indistinguishable from the original ones. However, modders and mapmakers will definitely have new opportunities. The situation is similar with skins for CS:GO – existing items will remain unchanged, but new effects and surface textures may appear, and the process of creating skins will become more convenient. 

Thus, one can hope that Valve will be able to strike a balance, using the capabilities of the new engine, but without disturbing the order of things familiar to players.