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Counter-Strike 2 Release Date: When CS2 Launched and What Valve’s Teaser Said

Counter-Strike 2 launched on September 27, 2023. Valve’s “What are you doing next Wednesday?” teaser hinted at the date a week earlier, but the launch announcement confirmed it.
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Counter-Strike 2 launched on September 27, 2023. A week earlier, Valve’s “What are you doing next Wednesday?” post hinted at that date but did not confirm it. Valve confirmed the launch in its September 27 announcement: “Counter-Strike 2 is here.”

When did Counter-Strike 2 come out?

Valve released Counter-Strike 2 on September 27, 2023, describing it as available and free to play in its release notes for September 27, 2023. Its launch announcement that day was titled “Welcome Home” and declared, “Counter-Strike 2 is here.”

What did Valve’s teaser say?

On September 20, 2023, the official Counter-Strike account posted: “What are you doing next Wednesday?” Because the following Wednesday was September 27, the post suggested CS2 might launch then. But Valve did not name a release date in that teaser; the date was confirmed when the game became available a week later. Contemporaneous coverage likewise treated September 27 as a possibility, not an announcement.

Teaser versus confirmation

Date What happened
September 20, 2023 Valve asked, “What are you doing next Wednesday?” The post hinted at the date without explicitly confirming a launch.
September 27, 2023 Valve announced “Counter-Strike 2 is here” and said the game was available and free to play.

Valve describes CS2 as a free upgrade to CS:GO. Its official CS2 overview highlights features including CS Rating and dynamic volumetric smoke grenades.

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#1 Best Overall
Counter-Strike: Source - PC
  • Single-elimination, team-based online shooter
  • Completely overhauled with better graphics, new characters, items, and environments
  • Package includes Half-Life 2: Deathmatch and Day of Defeat: Source
  • Real-world physics adds depth the gameplay
  • Internet connection required for online play

Why Steam shows an older release date

The Steam store page displays August 21, 2012, but that is not CS2’s launch date. The listing explains that reviews posted before September 27, 2023 were for CS:GO, the legacy version. For the CS2 launch date, Valve’s September 27, 2023 announcement and release notes are the relevant records.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Counter-Strike: Source - PC
Counter-Strike: Source - PC
Single-elimination, team-based online shooter; Completely overhauled with better graphics, new characters, items, and environments
$38.93
Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 3
Half-Life 2 - PC
Half-Life 2 - PC
Sequel to the hit first-person shooter; Realistic physics: objects have varied and appropriate mass, density, physical properties
$13.49
Bestseller No. 4
x2 Action Trackers for Tabletop Games | Customize for Any Game | Point Counter | C4Labs (3 Slots)
x2 Action Trackers for Tabletop Games | Customize for Any Game | Point Counter | C4Labs (3 Slots)
【QUICK RESET】Tip the tracker forward to instantly reset for the next round.
$15.99
Rank #4
x2 Action Trackers for Tabletop Games | Customize for Any Game | Point Counter | C4Labs (3 Slots)
  • 【INCLUDES】Includes two action trackers. Quickly reset by tipping the tracker forward or back to easily move all the trackers to one side. Makes a fantastic gift. A wide range of uses guarantees your favorite nerd will put this tracker to good use.
  • 【ACTION TRACKER】Includes two action trackers. Round pucks slide smoothly between two positions to track actions. Rubber feet on the bottom of the tracker keep it where you want it. Optional rubber bumpers are included for the sliding markers. We found that some people love them and others despise them. We will let you decide which camp you belong to.
  • 【QUICK RESET】Tip the tracker forward to instantly reset for the next round.
  • 【CUSTOMIZE】Dry erase background which custom labels for any game. Stickers. Markers are elevated off dry erase surface so sliding the markers between the too positions will not wipe off the labels. Perfect adition for tabletop games like Roll for the Galaxy, Here to Slay, Shovel Knight, D&D and many more.
  • 【QUALITY - 100% SATISFACTION】This product is made in America by people who care about quality. This product comes with information on how to contact us directly with any questions or concerns.
Rank #3
Half-Life 2 - PC
  • Sequel to the hit first-person shooter
  • Scientist-with-a-crowbar Gordon Freeman joins a ragtag human resistance fighting extradimensional invaders for the survival of a conquered Earth
  • Unnervingly realistic graphics the likes of which have not been witnessed outside of a motion picture or pre-rendered cut scene
  • Realistic physics: objects have varied and appropriate mass, density, physical properties
  • For 1 player

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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