Maps from the Steam Workshop need to be added to CS2.
Anyone who has successfully passed their acquaintance with Counter-Strike and has at least 100 hours in the game has encountered maps from the Steam Workshop. The content offered by VALVE is very limited, while the game’s capabilities are practically limitless. The transition to Source 2 has opened up even more opportunities for developers and enthusiasts from the community. It’s been almost half a year, and we haven’t seen anything new and haven’t even received all the previous modes from CS:GO. In CS2, Danger Zone or Retake, which were in demand, were not transferred, and it’s definitely not worth talking about their irrelevance. In this material, we will talk about other well-known and useful maps, but from the Steam Workshop.
Maps to improve training processes.
Aim Botz
If you’ve never warmed up on aim_botz or tried to kill 100 bots for speed, then you’re not familiar with CS yet. Every player spends 10-15 minutes here to “warm up” before intense matchmaking games or on Faceit. Even pro players prefer this map despite the large number of analogs. With the transition to CS2, the map’s appearance has changed slightly, but all functionality has been fully restored, and even some cool features have been added.
Why there’s nothing similar inside the game so far remains a huge mystery. Almost every shooter has a so-called “training ground” that any newcomer can find. Developers definitely need to consider implementing this map into the game to lower the entry threshold and make the training process more friendly to newcomers.
Refrag
Maps from this author were very popular in CS:GO, but there are significantly fewer of them in CS2. Now on Refrag maps, you can also shoot bots, but their popularity in CS:GO was due to training modes:
- Surf – a great mode to feel the character model better and simply kill time while searching for a game. Even the tournament operator ESL uses recordings of Surf runs during breaks between matches in their broadcasts.
- KZ – if you want to learn to jump into the window on Mirage, then you need to train movements and correct jumps here.
- Prefire – simulation of a bomb site entry, where bots are placed in the most popular positions. The task: check all positions, find enemies, and kill them before they kill you. The most important thing is to learn to position your crosshair correctly on the screen and aim where the opponent’s head might potentially be.
- Spread maps – here you are shown precise lineups for the perfect grenade. Where to stand, where to aim, and how to throw to achieve the desired result. All this can be learned on Refrag.
Regarding the last point, it is fair to note that VALVE has significantly simplified the training process on an empty map. Now you don’t need to enter an endless number of commands into the console. It’s debatable whether all this functionality is needed for an average user, but adding these modes to the game will definitely increase their popularity and positively impact the quality of games in matchmaking.
Config Generation
A map that will save you from digging into settings, typing various commands, and endless searching for information. Change hand positions, bind any command, customize HUD, etc. – all this can be done on one map in two mouse clicks.
Basic settings should be made accessible and simple for everyone, which is what the authors of this map are trying to do. They have made it possible to copy the settings of the most popular pro players literally in a second. Save and restore everything back in a couple of actions. It would be great if VALVE helped newcomers better understand the game and provided them with the full range of settings without unnecessary hassle.
Entertainment maps for leisure.
Hide and seek
A mode that became popular back in CS 1.6 and still finds its fans. The imitation of hide and seek has practically nothing to do with CS and only requires basic shooting and movement skills. Essentially, it can be called a mini-game within Counter-Strike, where you hide and try to remain unnoticed.
The game still features the most boring arms race, which people play just to get a few experience points quickly. Similar entertainment modes can increase online activity and attract new users.
Only up
This map probably shouldn’t be added to the game, but we just want to introduce you to it in case you didn’t know. In the fall of 2023, a game with the same name was very popular, where you had to reach the top by jumping. Each fall sends you back, and you have to start your journey again.
Since the game is based on jumps, Counter-Strike fans were eager to try a similar map but with familiar movement mechanics. It took the creator less than a week to implement such a massive project and successfully maintain it for a long time. If you haven’t played this game, just try it out, it will definitely not leave you indifferent.
Inspect Skins
Skins are an integral part of this game, and some spend more time on the trading floor than on servers. This map is specially created for skin enthusiasts, where you can inspect every item in any pattern and even with applied stickers. In CS2, VALVE slightly improved the skin preview function, but in Inspect Skins, it’s practically limitless.
We’re unlikely to ever see these maps in the CS main menu, but who knows how the company’s policy will change in the near future. Perhaps employees should have closer contact with map creators and unite efforts for the common good. Workshop maps bring creators money through advertising sales. If VALVE were to buy out some popular maps, they would get rid of unnecessary advertising on their platform and simplify life for many users, especially newcomers.