Major hitbox bug in CS2 raises concerns ahead of IEM Sydney

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

8 Oct

Andre Guaraldo

As the inaugural IEM Sydney event for Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) approaches, the competitive gaming community has stumbled upon yet another significant issue plaguing the game. This time, the problem revolves around unreliable player hitboxes, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the pro tournament scheduled to take place in just one week.

The hitbox is one of the fundamental aspects of a FPS game and is usually the source of many jokes (credits: r/GlobalOffensive)

The hitbox bug issue

The alarming hitbox problem came to light on October 7 when a CS2 player and Twitter user known as @Joleksu exposed the issue with a series of video clips and screenshots. These visual materials unmistakably showcased a glaring inconsistency between the player models displayed on clients and their actual server-based locations.

One particularly telling video clip featured Joleksu firing an M4A4 rifle directly at the head of a crouching bot on the Nuke map. By employing console commands, the bot's true hitbox appeared. Astonishingly, while Joleksu aimed squarely at the bot's head, the hitbox was further back, resulting in the game incorrectly registering shots as misses, despite appearing as direct hits on Joleksu's screen.

The problem was not limited to the head hitbox; gaps in the hitbox were also observed on the hands and certain parts of the character's leg. Furthermore, additional images displayed models in various stances, underscoring that the issue extended beyond just crouching characters.

The importance of reliable hitboxes in FPS games

Reliable hitboxes are paramount in FPS (First-Person Shooter) games like CS2. They determine whether a shot registers as a hit or a miss and play a fundamental role in maintaining the game's integrity and competitive balance. Inaccurate hitboxes can lead to frustrating experiences for players, as they might believe they've made a precise shot only to be met with disappointment when the game disagrees. Such discrepancies can undermine the skill-based nature of competitive gaming, eroding trust in the game's mechanics and creating a sense of unfairness among players.

Tight angles are often used as advantage to surprise enemies but can onyl work if hitboxes are precise and accurate (credits: Quora)

Tight angles can surprise enemies but only work if hitboxes are precise and accurate (credits: Quora)

Comparisons to CS:GO and Valve's Response

The hitbox issue in CS2 has drawn comparisons to the state of hitboxes in its predecessor, CS:GO, prior to a significant update in 2015. In CS:GO, character model hitboxes were not directly tied to the character models themselves; instead, they were larger rectangular blocks that sometimes extended beyond the visible model. Valve addressed this problem in a September 2015 update for CS:GO, but it appears that this progress doesn't apply to CS2.

One of the main reasons CS:GO became so popular: the reliability of the new hitboxes (credits: Reddit)

Valve's Race Against Time

While the hitbox issue is a cause for concern, Valve has shown commitment to addressing significant problems since CS2's official release just two weeks ago. They have been actively working on resolving issues ranging from matchmaking Premier ratings to minor visual updates.

However, with ESL's IEM Sydney tournament scheduled to commence on October 16, Valve is under considerable pressure to address this major hitbox fault promptly, especially as other minor issues continue to linger.

IEM Sydney is right around the corner and problems such as the hitbox bug will occur (Image Source: ESL)

Expectations from professional players

As professional players gear up for their first official tournament in CS2, knowing about this known hitbox issue, they are likely to approach the situation with a mix of caution and adaptability. Pros usually deal with unforeseen challenges, and they may develop new strategies and tactics to mitigate the impact of unreliable hitboxes. While the issue is concerning, these elite players have the ability to adapt quickly to in-game situations.

Their collective experience and adaptability will be put to the test, as they strive to maintain the competitive spirit and sportsmanship that define the world of professional gaming. Their ability to navigate this issue while delivering high-level gameplay are part of the spectable fans and industry experts want to see.

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