Counter Strike 2’s (CS2) launch is set to revolutionize the Nation’s PC Gaming Landscape
The much-anticipated Counter Strike 2 from Valve has been launched globally on Steam as of September 28, 2023. This marks a free upgrade from CS:GO (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive), and is the most significant technical improvement in the history of Counter-Strike. Counter-Strike has been a major player in India’s gaming industry since the birth of Esports in the nation. In India, the game has become very popular and is one of the most frequently played and viewed PC Esports titles. The introduction of CS2 is anticipated to bring a significant shift to the Nation’s PC Gaming Landscape.
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Regarding the release of Counter Strike 2, or CS2, stakeholders of the Indian Esports industry share their thoughts on how it will affect the country’s video gaming scene:
Mr Lokesh Suji, Director of Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF): “Counter-Strike 2’s eagerly awaited launch in India marks a significant step for our PC gaming community. ESFI has closely monitored the game’s growth in India by selecting the best Indian athletes for international competitions for years. It was a milestone for our country when our female team qualified for the Asian qualifiers for the first time this year. Counter Strike 2 is expected to bring even more international achievements.”
“Provided the game’s developers’ support in terms of official tournaments, Counter Strike 2 will not only give existing top players the opportunity to realize their full potential but will also clear the path for emerging talent. We believe that the arrival of Counter Strike 2 will take the country’s PC Esports scene to new levels.”
Devam “Dev” Vyas, Vice President: Esports at Gods Reign, a leading Indian esports organization:“The release of Counter-Strike 2 symbolizes a significant transition in the Indian Esports field. As Gods Reign shifts from a strong legacy in CSGO to the era of CS2, we expect to reach unprecedented heights in CS2. The launch has invigorated me—it’s a call to redefine India’s position in Esports. We foresee a time of greater triumphs in CS2, further enhancing India’s global Esports reputation.”
Mr. Rohit Agarwal, Founder & Director, Alpha Zegus, a next-generation gaming & lifestyle marketing agency:
“CS:GO has been one of the favorites in the PC gaming world, and CS2 has been welcomed warmly by the gaming community. Our creators at Alpha Zegus, some of whom are major PC gamers in India, are very enthusiastic about CS2. In terms of Esports and content creation, I see CS2 becoming a strong crowd favorite as it has been received much better than expected.”
Mr. Sagar Nair, Co-founder, and CEO of Qlan, the Gamers’ Social Network: “Counter-Strike 2 might considerably shape India’s PC gaming industry in the future. We hope that Valve will present a structured roadmap for the game and allow additional third-party tournaments. This would develop the game’s ecosystem in the country.”
“This would trigger growth for Esports organizations, event organizers, and content creators within this bustling ecosystem. As a result, we might see an increase in sponsorships and partnerships within the gaming community, attracting mainstream interest and boosting the PC gaming industry. Given Counter-Strike 2’s potential to empower local talent, generate revenue, and nurture a thriving ecosystem, the future of PC gaming in India seems promising.”
The game was launched on September 27 and peaked at over 1.3 million players, also topping the Steam player charts. Valve’s CS:GO was released in 2012, and a decade later on May 6, 2023, a new peak player record of 1,818,773 players on Steam was recorded.