The current season is only halfway through, and players are about to face five more months of competition. With the imminent release of CS2, uncertainty has enveloped the scene. Today, let’s contemplate what might unfold in the CS:GO esports arena over the next half-year.
(Rumors of CS2 with Fresh UI and Multidimensional Data)
ESL Pro League and Gamers8 to Continue with CS:GO
The upcoming main events, Gamers8 (August 16th to August 20th) and ESL Pro League (August 30th to October 1st), will still be held in the CS:GO format. Clearly, even if Valve releases CS2 within the remaining three weeks of August, event organizers won’t have time to prepare using the new version. Therefore, a transition before October 1st is highly unlikely.
Both EPL and Gamers8 are large-scale events, not only in terms of prize money but also the number of top-tier teams. Although their status and attention received are far from that of IEM Cologne, IEM Katowice, or even the Major, they can’t be deemed as super critical tournaments.
(2019 IEM Sydney)
Earlier, when ESL announced the event in Sydney, there were speculations that it would feature CS2. However, even staff members and marketing executives have no clue about what version will be in place come October. They stated, “It’s a million-dollar question, and we don’t know what the better answer is. Clearly, CS2 is on the horizon, and we can use it post-release, just like we did at DreamHack Melbourne. During IEM Dallas, we had an exhibition match with CS2. Truth be told, I don’t even know when CS2 will be integrated into events.” It’s apparent that even event organizers aren’t prepared for the transition to the new version.
As for representatives from BLAST, there’s been no discussion about the transition. Information from insiders suggests that ESL and BLAST have an agreement to continue hosting CS:GO events until year-end. However, whether this choice suits Valve and if the development roadmap will change remains a significant question.
(Ancient Added to CS2 Testing Map Pool)
The Lack of Desire for Top-Tier Events
As everyone prepares for the transition to CS2, it’s unclear whether teams will still have the motivation to prepare for CS:GO tournaments. Among clubs, coaches, and even players, many remember the transition from CS1.6 to CS:GO: the longer you spent in the old version, the harder it was to adapt to the new one. This is evident in the case of NAVI, which struggled in the first two CS:GO Majors after the transition. Today, no one wants to repeat those mistakes.
Moreover, after CS2’s release, interest in CS:GO tournaments might wane. In theory, if CS2 is launched, the appeal of IEM Sydney might diminish. Imagine players needing to sit in training facilities, dedicating 12 hours each day to analyze every detail of the new version for a better experience. Would they still have the enthusiasm to participate in CS:GO events?
In such times, what should viewers and event organizers do? This could pose another million-dollar question. With the release of CS2, undoubtedly, there will be many show matches, showcasing cool players and smaller competitions. However, to truly experience the grandeur and high attention of large-scale events, one might have to wait until the Copenhagen Major in March next year.
(Anubis Added to CS2 Testing Map Pool)
Valve’s Silence Since Announcing a Summer Release
This summer, compared to the prolonged break after spring’s announcement, developers have been more actively involved in CS2’s development. We have already playtested various maps and observed new purchase menus and other features. Yet, Valve has refrained from making any statements about esports.
Clearly, Valve has discussed with ESL and BLAST, and event organizers have definitely inquired about the release of CS2. But why does Valve maintain silence towards the outside world? This is yet another question. Perhaps developers still intend to release the game this summer and then delve into the esports realm. Alternatively, they understand that dealing with game files still requires too much time, which is why they don’t want their attention further divided by event preparations.
(Valve Previously Stated CS2 Will Release in Summer)
Earlier, there were rumors about CS2’s release on September 23rd, sparking hopes. But what does this mean for esports? Perhaps CS2 might be released during the early days of EPL in September, potentially causing a sharp drop in interest for this event. The next six months seem to be the most challenging period for CS esports.
