Is the latest Counter-Strike Update a Cash Grab?

Only a few days after wondering whether Valve is killing Counter-Strike, the developers dropped a new update, releasing more than 100 new cosmetic items within a purchasable pass in addition to a few animation and networking updates.

The Armory update received a warm welcome from the majority of players and community figures, but some can find the negatives in everything and criticized the developer for not focusing more on the gameplay as it felt like a more of a cash grab before addressing the main issues with the game.

What is the Armory update?

Valve released what may be the biggest update to CS2 yet, introducing three new weapon collections, a new Weapon Case, new stickers, and Charms—a fresh cosmetic element you can now add to your skins—along with the mentioned gameplay changes above.

The update introduces a new Armory, which you can access for $16. With the Armory pass, players earn credits through gameplay XP, which can then be exchanged for a range of newly released items in the Armory. Here are the significant new cosmetic items introduced in the new update.

CS2 Charms

One of the standout features of this update is the introduction of Charms, a new cosmetic element that you can attach to your weapons. You can apply a charm to a weapon with a simple drag-and-drop action, but each weapon can only hold one charm at a time.

Image source: Valve

Three New Collections

We have received three brand new collections of skins - The Overpass 2024 Collection, The Graphic Collection, and The Sport and Field Collection. For four credits, players can obtain a random skin from any of these collections.

Image source: Valve

Limited Edition Desert Eagle and Gallery Case

Finally, Valve introduced a time-limited Desert Eagle | Heat Treated skin, available until January 3, 2025, for 25 credits. This skin offers a variety of patterns, and variants similar to the Case-Hardened finish.

Image source: Valve

A Cash-grab update?

CS2 player and YouTuber, WarOwl was quick in hitting the keyboard to express his disappointment in the update as ‘someone who cares primarily about gameplay’.

“Not a lot to get excited about in this update unless you're into cosmetics. The leg animation changes were needed, but from someone who cares primarily about gameplay: meh.”

WarOwl on X

Additionally, Ryan “Freakazoid” Abadir, ex-professional player and streamer who went on a rant recently against Valve for shifting focus towards Deadlock wasn’t impressed by the slightest as he addressed the developers saying: “You guys actually suck.”

In like manner, HOUNGOUNGAGNE also highlighted important aspects of the game which Valve failed to address in the latest update, especially the Anti-Cheat.

“Looks like very little changes towards the actual gameplay.. No mention of the anti cheat or the premiere/matchmaking system... Going back to sleep now.”

Jeff on X

Important animation and networking changes

However, within the darkness of reality and criticism shined a light of hope as the animation update reportedly fixed the kill feed delay issue and unusual legs animation.

Complexity player, Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski, was one of the few professional players who publicly stated their opinions on the update. In his post on X, EliGE believes that Valve is fixing a lot of the feel of the game with the animation section.

“Huge change actually, slight T nerf? This does look a lot better though imo Will have to see how much this affects peeking since it looks like it should be easier to hold angles now potentially.” EliGE on X

So, what do we make of the new update? As with any update to CS2, reactions can vary depending on the player. And while the criticism is on point, the little changes made to the core gameplay is certainly a step forward into polishing the game.

For more CS2 updates, be sure to check out the Strafe and follow us on X to stay up to date with the latest esports news.

Featured Image is exclusive to Strafe Esports

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