This article covers CS2 updates in chronological order. Here’s how Valve is changing the game for the better.
May 16, 2025 CS2 Update
Key changes introduced by the May 16 update:
Gameplay Changes
Deathmatch mode was updated to allow unbalanced teams, providing more flexibility for casual play and custom server configurations.
Graphics Fixes
Visual issues were addressed, including fire effects being visible through the AK-47 viewmodel and lighting inconsistencies for stickers in left-hand mode. Additionally, a bug causing inventory item icons to render incorrectly while scoped was fixed.
Audio Improvements
The AK-47’s firing sound was shortened at the front end, and the delay for body shot impact sounds from the attacker’s perspective was reduced. These changes enhance auditory feedback during combat.
May 13-14, 2025 CS2 Update
Key changes introduced by the May 13-14 update:
HUD and Visual Updates
A new HUD setting, “Glow Weapon with Rarity Color,” was introduced, enabling weapons to glow based on their rarity, enhancing inventory navigation and in-game recognition.
Furthermore, minimally scraped stickers now properly cover the gap on the front grip of the AK-47, improving the weapon’s aesthetic.
Map Adjustments
Several maps received updates:
- Jura: Fixed unintended clipping and visibility issues; added a missing prop on A site.
- Brewery: Addressed a gap between boxes at CT to Site; fixed bottle smashing in CT Spawn; raised ceiling clips around the upper bombsite level; improved player, grenade, and physics clipping.
- Grail and Dogtown: Updated to the latest versions from the Community Workshop.
Gameplay
This update fixed a bug where weapons bought using “Buy & Throw” could be refunded after firing.
Premier
The world and regional leaderboards for Season 2 have finally been populated.
May 9, 2025 CS2 Update
Key changes introduced by the May 9 update:
Missions and Progression
This update resolved a critical issue where mission progress would reset upon reconnecting to a match, ensuring players’ efforts are preserved during disconnections.
Map Updates
The community-created map Grail received an update from the Community Workshop, incorporating design enhancements and bug fixes to improve gameplay.
Graphics and Audio Enhancements
A visual bug allowing fire effects to be visible through smoke was fixed, restoring intended visual fidelity during gameplay. Additionally, various UI sound bugs were addressed, and overall client stability was improved.
May 8, 2025 CS2 Update
Today, on May 8, 2025, Valve released a fairly significant CS2 update that changes the Casual and Deathmatch map groups.
Some players will now need to think twice before choosing between Defusal Group Alpha and Defusal Group Delta. Each of them contains four frequently played maps but not necessarily the ones you might have in mind.
Map Group Changes
In their latest CS2 update, Valve changed the composition of their map groups.
Defusal Group Alpha Maps
Here are the four maps that you will get to play on if you choose the Defusal Group Alpha option:
- Dust 2
- Mirage
- Inferno
- Vertigo
The first three of these maps are part of the Active Duty Map Pool. Vertigo is part of the Reserve Map Pool but we probably won’t see it back in competitive play any time soon.
Defusal Group Delta Maps
Here are the four maps that you will get to play on if you choose the Defusal Group Delta option:
- Train
- Anubis
- Ancient
- Nuke
- Overpass
Apart from Overpass, every map on this list is played in professional tournaments.
Community Maps
In the Community Map Group, we now have:
- Jura
- Grail
- Agency
Hostage Maps
In the Hostage Map Group, we have:
- Office
- Italy
Other Map Changes
The May 8 CS2 patch introduced several other map changes:
- Community maps Basalt, Edin, Palais, and Whistle were removed from all game modes.
- Community maps Jura, Grail, and Agency were added to Competitive, Casual, and Deathmatch.
- Community maps Dogtown and Brewery were added to Wingman mode.
Missions
Apart from map changes, the May 8 CS2 update added weekly missions, which can be selected from the main menu or the play menu. Players receive one mission per week.
If a player completes a mission, they receive XP. Each weekly mission expires after 7 days.
Audio Fixes And Enhancements
The latest CS2 patch added a new audio setting, named Main Menu Ambience Volume. It also fixed some cases where shooting visible enemies over the top of smoke would not provide the appropriate feedback sound.
In some cases, gameplay sounds used to be skipped or inaudible. These bugs have been fixed.
The following console commands have been removed:
- snd_setmixer
- snd_setmixlayer
- snd_soundmixer_setmixlayer_amount
- snd_soundmixer_set_trigger_factor
Other Bug Fixes
The bug where input bindings to scancode56 or the English key “/” wouldn’t persist across app launches has been fixed.
Lobby invites from any player marked with “Block All Communication” in Steam will now be ignored.
