Animgraph 2 Beta: new CS2 animation system

Today we're shipping a beta build that updates CS2's animation system to Animgraph 2, which reduces the CPU and networking costs associated with animation. Along with the technical work involved in switching to the new system, all third person animations have been re-authored and, in many cases, adjusted in response to player feedback.

It's time for you to take a look, poke around for bugs, and tell us what you think. To opt into the beta build, follow the instructions here and choose the 'animgraph_2_beta' build. Note that you will not be able to connect to Valve servers while you are using the beta build. To report bugs or provide feedback about Animgraph 2, please email csgoteamfeedback@valvesoftware.com with the subject "AG2 Beta".

Valve has released a beta version of the CS2 animation system update codenamed Animgraph 2. The main improvement is a reduction in CPU load and network bandwidth consumed by animations. All third-person animations have been completely reworked and refined based on community feedback. Players will experience smoother visual character movement while enjoying better client performance.

It's important to note that the beta build is incompatible with official Valve servers - beta participants cannot play competitive matches or ranked games on standard servers. Community server owners can maintain both current and new versions in parallel, but direct interaction between players on different versions is impossible. Plugins and custom configurations will remain functional, though animation appearance will change, which may affect user experience and adaptation for regular server players.

Testing covers all game modes and maps since the animation system is fundamental to the entire visual component. Players should pay attention to character movement changes, transition smoothness between actions, and overall gameplay feel. Any issues discovered should be reported to csgoteamfeedback@valvesoftware.com with the subject line "AG2 Beta".