With limited Counter-Strike 2 testing already underway, files for the upcoming FPS game point to the possibility of a new form of Valve Anti-Cheat, potentially borrowing a core feature from Riot Games’ multiplayer rival Valorant, immediately nullifying games where cheaters are detected. Ahead of the Counter-Strike 2 release date, which sees CSGO Source 2 receive a complete rebrand in CS2, along with changes to weapons, skins and maps, it now seems possible that VAC will also do the subject to overhaul.
We’ve already reported on all of the Counter-Strike 2 changes to come this summer, including new knife skins, reworked smoke mechanics, and of course, rebuilt and redesigned maps with Source 2.
Files related to CS2’s current limited test now suggest that Valve’s proprietary anti-cheat software, used in Counter-Strike, Team Fortress 2, and some of the older Call of Duty games, is also undergoing a fundamental change.
The code in the CS2 limited test mentions something called “VAC Live” and appears to describe two on-screen messages that will appear to Counter-Strike 2 players if a cheater is detected in a game.
The first message simply says “Cheater Detected” while the second says “This match has been canceled by VAC Live”. Discovered and shared by ‘aquaism,’ a full-stack developer and Counter-Strike 2 fan, you can see the CS2 code strings below:
Valorant, Riot Games’ multiplayer shooter and longtime CSGO rival, features the same system, whereby games are instantly canceled if Riot Vanguard, the developer’s anti-cheat software, detects a player using traps.
With Counter-Strike 2 still in its limited testing period, it’s currently unclear what features will be in the final version of the game, although an improved anti-cheat solution seems to be just fine for the next generation of shooters.
Since your items carry over into Counter-Strike 2, take a look at the best CSGO scopes. You’ll also want to climb the CSGO ranks, or perhaps try out some of the other best free Steam games available right now.