How to Watch and Record Demos in CS2

What a demo is and why you need it

A demo is a file with a full recording of a round or match: player positions, shots, grenades, movement. Unlike a regular video, a demo stores game data, so the replay can be watched from any point on the map and from any player's perspective.

Demos are used to review your own mistakes, study opponents, make frag clips and videos, and resolve disputed moments. The files have a .dem extension and are far smaller than a video recording of the same match.

A demo stores game events, not an image, so during playback you can freely move the camera and change the angle.

Where demos are stored in CS2

By default, the demos you record and the replays you download live in the game folder. Knowing the path makes them easy to find, move or delete.

Matchmaking demos, once downloaded from match history, end up in the replays subfolder. They are packed into a .dem.bz2 archive that the game unpacks automatically before viewing.

The Steam path may differ if the game is installed on another drive. Find the game folder via Steam: right-click CS2 - Manage - Browse local files.

...\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\

# matchmaking demos after download:
...\game\csgo\replays\

Recording a demo: record and stop

CS2 can record a demo locally right during the game. This is handy on your own servers, in practice and in unofficial matches. Recording requires the console to be enabled.

The record command starts recording and takes a file name without an extension. The stop command ends the recording. The finished file is saved in the csgo folder.

The file name must not contain spaces. If a file with that name already exists, recording may not start - use a different name.

1. 1Enable the developer console in the game settings
2. 2Join a server or match and open the console with the tilde key
3. 3Type record with a file name, for example record clutch_round
4. 4Play the segment you want
5. 5Type stop to finish and save the recording

record mydemo     // start recording to mydemo.dem
stop              // stop recording

Playing a demo: playdemo

To watch a local demo, use the playdemo command with the file name. The file must be in the csgo folder, otherwise you have to specify a path relative to it.

You can also open a demo through the Watch - Your downloads menu in the main game interface, but the console is faster if you know the file name.

If a demo will not start, check the exact file name and its location. You do not need to include the .dem extension in the command.

playdemo mydemo                 // play mydemo.dem from the csgo folder
playdemo replays\match_730      // play a demo from the replays subfolder
demo_pause                      // pause / unpause
disconnect                      // exit demo playback

The demoui interface

demoui is the playback control panel with buttons for pause, rewind, speed change and jumping between rounds. It is the main tool when reviewing demos.

The demoui command (or the Shift + F2 shortcut) opens and closes the panel. It makes it easy to skip to a specific tick, slow a moment down and switch cameras without typing commands.

The Shift + F2 shortcut opens demoui instantly - you do not have to memorize the command.

• Play / Pause - start and pause the replay
• Progress slider - scrub along the match timeline
• Speed - change the playback speed
• Round buttons - quick jump between rounds

demoui                          // open / close the control panel
demo_timescale 0.5              // slow playback down by half
demo_timescale 1                // normal speed
demo_gototick 12000             // jump to a specific tick

Watching matchmaking demos

Official matches (Premier and competitive) are stored on Valve servers. You can download them from match history right in the game and rewatch them like any other demo.

Storage time is limited, so download important matches in time. After downloading, the file appears in the replays folder and is available through the downloads viewer.

Matchmaking demos are available for download for a limited time. If the download button is gone, the replay has already been removed from Valve servers.

1. 1Open the main menu - Watch - Match history
2. 2Find the match you want in the list
3. 3Click the download demo button next to the match
4. 4Wait for the download - the file lands in the replays folder
5. 5Open it via Your downloads or with the playdemo command

GOTV and broadcasts

GOTV is the Source 2 broadcast system through which a match is relayed to viewers with a small delay. On professional and large amateur servers, GOTV demos are recorded automatically.

A GOTV demo differs from an in-game one in that it is written from a spectator's point of view and often at a reduced relay tickrate. It plays with the same playdemo command and opens in the same demoui.

GOTV demos are handy for reviewing the whole team game, since they are recorded from a spectator's view of the entire match.

playdemo gotv_match             // play a GOTV demo
spec_mode 4                     // free camera while watching
spec_mode 5                     // first-person player view

Useful playback commands

When reviewing a demo, a free camera and speed control help a lot. Free flight across the map lets you study positions, timings and grenade lineups from any angle.

The commands below work during playback of any demo - local, matchmaking or GOTV.

The free camera (spec_mode 4) is the best mode for reviewing positions and timings: the camera is not tied to players.