CS2 update, September 22, 2026: Rush mode and map updates

• Updated the map selection process to give players more opportunities to play maps they've been learning.
• Map selection process:
• Team 1 picks one map
• Team 2 picks two maps
• Team 1 picks a final map.
• One of the four maps will be randomly selected and the match will begin.\
• Rush is a fast-paced queued 3v3 game mode.
• Players battle through a series of battle arenas to reach the opponent's castle and win the match.
• Battle arenas are randomly selected for each match, so no two matches are the same.
• Control the tower when you eliminate the enemy team (or time expires) to win the round.\
• Players can now reload silently (but slowly) by pressing and holding the reload key.
• Un-scoping a sniper weapon no longer produces a sound.
• Globally increased visual clarity and improved fidelity of bullet impact decals.
• ammo_grenade_limit_total setting now also enforces the total number of grenades a player is allowed to purchase in a round.
• Chickens now take damage from the Zeus x27.
• Crosshairs have been updated to be resolution independent.
• A new "Crosshair/Scopes" tab is available in the Settings menu, and includes updated crosshair settings.
• Added new crosshair styles
• Updated the default crosshair to "Dynamic Quad," which better represents weapon accuracy.\
• Updated engine code to the latest version of Source 2.\Ancient
• Fixed holes in world in Long A Main Hall.
• Adjusted door geometry and grenade clipping inside Jaguar.Cache
• Some gap fixes and clipping adjustments around the blue doors in Mid.Mirage
• Reinforced scaffolding by balcony in A site.Train
• Blocked pixel gap in crates on bombsite A.\
• Added ability to set a "Clan Tag" for players who are members of Steam Community Groups. You can adjust your Clan Tag from your Player Profile.
• Added support for applying stickers to C4.
• The Starjunk 95, Industrial Sunset Memories Music Kit is now available for purchase in standard and StatTrak versions through the STORE tab.
• Halftime scoreboard stats should now fully reflect the results of the previous round.
• Fixed a case where players could avoid a kick ban.
• Players can now adjust music volume per game-mode.\
• Added "minimap_volume" entity which enables a custom minimap image when a player is within the volume.
• Added "sky_camera_volume" and "sky_camera_volume_target", which enable custom location-specific skybox rendering.
• Added "point_deathcam_bounds" entity that constrains the player death camera.
• Added "env_shake_volume" entity that allows camera shake only within a specified volume.\
• Added CSRadarPoint entity.
• Added CSObservablePoint entity.
• Added AddTeamMoney API method.
• Added OnPlayerTeamChanged callback.
• SetDialogVariableString now accepts a localization string.

The update introduces Rush mode, a fast-paced 3v3 queued game where teams battle through randomly selected arenas to reach the opponent's castle. Players gain new capabilities including silent weapon reloading, sound-free sniper scope unscoping, and a redesigned crosshair system with new styles and resolution-independent rendering. The map selection process is revamped to ensure equal chances for all four maps in a match.

Server administrators should note that the ammo_grenade_limit_total parameter now enforces total grenade purchases per round. New map-building entities are available: minimap_volume for custom minimap images, sky_camera_volume for location-specific skybox rendering, point_deathcam_bounds to constrain death cameras, and env_shake_volume for camera shake within specific volumes. New API methods AddTeamMoney and OnPlayerTeamChanged callback expand plugin functionality for community servers.

Geometry fixes address issues on multiple maps: holes and gaps on de_ancient, de_cache, de_mirage, and de_train have been patched, with improved bullet impact decal clarity. Sticker support for C4 and Clan Tag functionality for Steam Community Group members are now available.