How to play Counter-Strike 2 limited test beta

Counter-Strike 2, the sequel to CS:GO, is currently running a limited test beta ahead of the full release. Here’s everything you need to know about downloading, accessing and playing the CS2 beta.

After revealing the Counter-Strike sequel with a trio of videos on YouTube, Valve announced the limited-test beta was starting that very same day, on March 22.

They also confirmed an official release window for Counter-Strike 2 of Summer of 2023. And for the lucky few who get access to the beta, you won’t have to wait for the full release.

However, the CS2 beta is very limited in terms of access, and so very few players are able to play. Here is everything we know so far about the Counter-Strike 2 limited test beta, and how you get access.

Contents

• When does the Counter-Strike 2 limited test beta start?
• How to access CS2 limited test beta
• Do I need a key for the Counter-Strike 2 beta?
• What features are included in the CS2 limited test beta?
• How to report a bug in Counter-Strike 2
• Are skins in the CS2 limited test?

Valve Corporation

When did the Counter-Strike 2 limited test beta start?

The limited test beta began on March 22 and has no official end date. Players can keep track of limited test announcements on the Counter-Strike 2 blog post.

The full release for CS2 is due in Summer 2023, so expect the limited test to end before then. Latest indications point to a full release in September.

How to access Counter-Strike 2 limited test beta

If you are selected to participate in the Counter-Strike 2 limited test, you will receive a notification on the main menu of CS:GO. More players will be added to the beta over time. There are no keys or drops for access to the CS2 beta.

The developers elaborated that a number of factors go into which players are selected, like playtime on Valve official servers, trust factor, and Steam account standing.

Players are selected for the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test based on a number of factors deemed important by the Counter-Strike 2 development team, including (but not limited to) recent playtime on Valve official servers, trust factor, and Steam account standing.

— CS2 (@CounterStrike) March 22, 2023

If you receive an invitation, select ENROLL and begin the download. As of June 7, the majority of CS:GO players still don’t have access, with only a lucky select few invited so far. Roughly less than 1% of the CS:GO player base has access, based on various estimates.

Valve says more players will be added “over time,” and to “keep checking your CS:GO main menu to see if you have received an invite.”

Valve has released numerous updates to the beta, to add new maps and fix issues, but so far, no new waves of invites have taken place, as of July 18.

Do I need a key for the Counter-Strike 2 beta?

No – there are no keys or codes required for the CS2 limited test beta.

You will simply need to wait for the pop-up in the main menu of CS:GO for your invitation.

Beware of scams. The only way to check for Limited Test access is to launch CS:GO through Steam and check the Main Menu.

Do not log into third party sites claiming to check your Steam account for access or offering Limited Test access or keys; there are no Limited Test keys.

— CS2 (@CounterStrike) March 22, 2023

Valve has warned players to avoid potential scams offering access to the limited test through a key, and not to log in to any third-party sites offering these fake keys. Don’t click on any links on social media to get access – they will be scams.

There are also no ‘drops’ – so watching a Twitch stream won’t grant you access either.

What’s included in the CS2 limited test beta?

The first Counter-Strke 2 limited test currently offers deathmatch and casual on all competitive maps, except Inferno, and Italy as well. Competitive modes were removed from the beta as of August 15.

Italy replaced both Ancient and Anubis, which have had their time in the testing pool. There is still one competitive map that has not been tested yet – Inferno. Once this has been implemented in the beta, we can expect a release date to follow.

Today we're adding all maps shipped thus far in CS2 into one Casual playlist. This and more in today's Release Notes: https://t.co/wBLPW5vSqE

— CS2 (@CounterStrike) August 17, 2023

Valve has said that future limited test releases will offer other game modes, maps, and features. Previously, Competitive and Wingman were also featured in the beta.

Valve

You can see the full list of maps we know are coming to CS2 here.

How to report a bug in Counter-Strike 2

If you encounter a bug during your time with Counter-Strike 2, the devs have implemented the ability to report a bug. To do so, you will need to follow their recommendation: “send an email to cs2team [at] valvesoftware [dot] com and title your email “CS2LT Report.”

So, if you experience a glitch or any irregular bugs, make sure to try and report them so that the final product can be as polished and complete as possible.

Are skins in the CS2 limited test?

You can also use all of your existing skins and other items from CS:GO in the limited test beta.

Although all skins, stickers, gloves and knives are the same, some of them have a slightly new appearance, especially when impacted by the new lighting.

However, while all your items are available, you won’t be able to modify them, such as adding or scraping stickers. This will need to be done in CS:GO. Trade-up contracts are also not available in the limited test.

You also cannot open cases in the CS2 beta.

For more information, Valve has an official FAQ on the beta here.

For more guides and information on Counter-Strike 2, be sure to check out our other guides:

What will happen to skins in Counter-Strike 2? | Will Counter-Strike 2 be on Steam Deck? | Everything we know about Counter-Strike 2 | Pros react to Counter-Strike 2 | What is Follow Recoil in Counter-Strike 2? | Every game mode in Counter-Strike 2 | Counter-Strike 2: Every confirmed map from CSGO in Source 2 update | Can you play Counter-Strike 2 on console? Will it come to PS5 or Xbox Series X?