CS2 is the Most Played Game on Steam

Counter-Strike 2 is the Game with the Highest Player Count on Steam

The Top 10 most played games on Steam have a new king. Counter-Strike 2, the much-anticipated successor to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, made its debut on September 27, and its impact has been nothing short of monumental. This latest addition to the legendary Counter-Strike series is based on Valve's cutting-edge Source 2 engine, significantly boosting the graphics and gameplay of CS:GO. Recently, CS2 dethroned Dota 2 as the most played game on Steam.

For years, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive had held the throne as Steam's most popular game, amassing a staggering 1.8 million daily players in May 2023. With the announcement of Counter-Strike 2, expectations were high, and the gaming community could barely wait for its release. It's safe to say that Counter-Strike 2 has not only met those expectations but also soared beyond them, currently reigning as the most played game on Steam in terms of the current player base.

Counter-Strike 2 Surpasses the Competition in Terms of Player Count

Looking at the current Steam charts, we find Counter-Strike 2 proudly seated at the top, with a peak player count above 1 million. This figure is almost twice that of Dota 2, which occupies the second position, demonstrating the game's immense popularity and appeal. Valve's latest tactical first-person shooter entered the scene with a massive following on Steam, fueled by a pre-release limited beta that invited select players. The hype train surrounding Counter-Strike 2 skyrocketed as leaks and gameplay footage began circulating, and each day that passed was an adrenaline boost right to the CS:GO community’s heart.

What's truly impressive is that Counter-Strike 2 has surpassed other gaming giants like GTA 5, PUBG, and even Apex Legends, solidifying its position as a resounding success, precisely what Valve had envisioned. Beyond the numbers, it's worth noting that Counter-Strike 2 isn't just a statistical triumph; it's also a remarkable game in its own right and a significant step up from its predecessor, CS:GO.

One of the standout features that players have praised is the enhanced graphical fidelity, made possible by the adoption of Valve's new Source 2 engine. Given that Valve first introduced the Source engine more than ten years ago, with Counter-Strike: Source serving as the pioneer in its implementation, this engine represents a significant advancement.

What are the most played games on Steam?

Currently, the top 10 most-played games on Steam are:

• Counter-Strike 2
• Dota 2
• PUBG: Battlegrounds
• Apex Legends
• Naraka: Bladepoint
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Rust
• War Thunder

We didn’t include Wallpaper Engine or Source SDK Base 2007 since they’re not really games but utility apps.

Bumps in the Road: Bugs and User Complaints

Despite all the improvements and the dedicated player base, Counter-Strike 2's release hasn't been entirely without hiccups. Bugs and user complaints have been surfacing, revealing a less-than-smooth experience for some players.

One of the notable bugs that garnered attention is the "Michael Jackson bug." This quirky issue sees players spotting enemies leaning forward in the iconic "Smooth Criminal" fashion, leading to hilarious montages and clips shared on platforms like Reddit, but also boosting your scoped shots and making you nearly unstoppable. While amusing, such bugs can occasionally disrupt gameplay and immersion.

A specific group of players, those using AMD graphics cards, faced bans from official servers when enabling AMD's anti-lag features. Fortunately, Valve has recognized and begun to reverse these bans, seeking to provide a more inclusive gaming experience.

However, AMD users also encountered stuttering issues after a graphics driver update. These stutters could be so severe that players found themselves teleporting in the direction they were moving, giving their opponents an unexpected boost. The issue stemmed from shaders not preloading; instead, they loaded in real time, causing these hiccups.

Another common issue that drew attention was the game's tick rate. For the uninitiated, the tick rate is how frequently a server processes updates, with a higher tick rate translating to a smoother gameplay experience. Valve initially set the tick rate at 64 Hz for CS:GO on official servers, although it could be adjusted on other servers. It was expected that tick rate issues would be resolved with Valve's new sub-tick update system. However, currently, Valve is enforcing a universal 64 Hz tick rate for all players, as revealed by SteamDB creator Pavel Djundik.

Perhaps the most palpable and frustrating issue affecting Counter-Strike 2 is the hitbox misalignment problem. This issue causes the game to fail to register damage inflicted on an enemy, leading to a less-than-accurate gameplay experience, particularly at competitive levels. Hitbox misalignment can be incredibly frustrating, as players might feel like they're hitting their shots but not seeing the expected results.

Despite these issues, Counter-Strike 2 remains a phenomenal game, not just in terms of its player count but also its enduring appeal. Valve and Steam have witnessed an incredible success story with this latest addition to the Counter-Strike franchise, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the gaming industry. As the developer addresses these bugs and continues to fine-tune the game, there's no doubt that Counter-Strike 2 will remain a top contender in the world of competitive gaming for years to come. Its popularity is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Counter-Strike series and the dedicated gaming community that continues to support it.

Counter-Strike 2 is undoubtedly leaving an indelible mark on the gaming landscape, and it's only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey in the world of competitive shooters.

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