What is an operation in CS:GO. Why is everyone eagerly awaiting it in CS2?
From almost the first day of CS:GO’s release, developers regularly launched operations, which added variety to the gameplay. These events motivated players to spend more time in the game, earning various rewards. Operations introduced new cases, collections, maps, modes, and much more. Today, April 24th, it’s been 945 days since the release of the last operation. For over three years, players have been anticipating new content and still believe in its imminent release. Let’s recall what was in past operations and try to predict what awaits us in the future.
Content from operations.
A complete list of operations and their durations:
- Operation Payback – April 25, 2013 – August 31, 2013
- Operation Bravo – September 19, 2013 – February 5, 2014
- Operation Phoenix – February 20, 2014 – June 11, 2014
- Operation Breakout – July 1, 2014 – October 2, 2014
- Operation Vanguard – November 12, 2014 – March 31, 2015
- Operation Bloodhound – May 26, 2015 – September 30, 2015
- Operation Wildfire – February 17, 2016 – July 16, 2016
- Operation Hydra – May 24, 2017 – November 13, 2017
- Operation Shattered Web – November 18, 2019 – March 31, 2020
- Operation Broken Fang – December 4, 2020 – May 4, 2021
- Operation Riptide – September 22, 2021 – February 22, 2022
In total, there have been 11 operations in CS:GO, and almost each of them left its mark on Counter-Strike. To activate the event, you need to purchase a special pass, but the tasks and all other content are available to everyone. You can complete missions, play various modes, but your progress won’t be saved unless you buy a pass. The main rewards, which users complete tasks for, can only be obtained after purchasing the pass – these are in-game items. By completing missions, you earn a medal, and its quality depends on the number of stages completed. The medal is displayed in the profile and cannot be sold or exchanged, so it serves more as a commemorative trophy.
During operations, you could significantly boost your inventory, which is why most players decide to buy a pass. The only exception was the first CS:GO operation – Payback, but it was released before skins were introduced in the game. In all subsequent operations, valuable items were obtainable, which in most cases justified the pass purchase. The drop system improved with each new operation, and initially, many players had to spend a huge amount of time in the game. All content was randomly given to players after completing matches in special modes. In the Shattered Web operation, VALVE changed the mechanics, making a full-fledged store where items were sold for stars earned by completing tasks. Operations brought us legendary skins like AWP | Dragon Lore, Butterfly Knife, AK47 | Fire Serpent, AWP | Asiimov, agent models, and much more.
CS:GO operations were often timed to coincide with announcements of major events, primarily related to changes in the competitive map pool. They gave us such maps as Cobblestone, Cache, Overpass, revamped Train, Nuke, and Dust 2. Interesting game modes were added, some of the most legendary:
- Wingman (a 2v2 game)
- Retakes (simulation of a bomb plant scenario)
- Weapon Specialist (each weapon could be bought only once per game)
- Flying Scoutsman (an analogue of the cult mode from CS1.6 “sv_gravity 100”)
- Danger Zone (you take damage for every miss)
- Various thematic missions with a full-fledged storyline
New types of weapons were also added, such as:
- Heavy Armor (significantly reduces damage and makes you almost invulnerable)
- Medical Syringe (restores health)
- Tactical Grenade (allows you to determine the enemy’s location)
All these changes greatly diversified the gameplay and motivated players to stay in the game, as access to unique content could end at any moment.
Will VALVE release a new operation in CS2?
The release dates for the next operation have been repeatedly postponed. So much so that users have even grown tired of making predictions and trying to create hype around it. The community patiently awaits official information or irrefutable evidence related to the potential release.
The long pause between operations was initially attributed to work on transitioning to the new Source 2 engine. But it’s been 6 months already, and no operation has been released by the developers. There’s no doubt that an operation will eventually be released, but it’s not worth building illusions about something grandiose. Based on the experience of updating CS2 to the first Major, VALVE isn’t considering any major changes. However, nothing stops us from dreaming and gathering all the rumors regarding new content in the next operation in CS2:
- New cosmetic items (besides the usual skins, stickers, and patches, there are rumors about releasing charms, grenade skins, and smoke color customization)
- Return of old maps from CS:GO (Cache, Cobblestone, Train, Tuscan) and addition of new ones
- Game modes, some of which should be implemented permanently
- New types of weapons (tactical grenade, mines, or another firearm)
- Enhanced view of statistics, where you can see special ratings similar to HLTV
It’s worth noting that with the release of each operation, the developer supports the work of map designers and skin creators. When their product is added to the game, the authors receive decent money from VALVE. Perhaps the delay is due to the lack of content that meets VALVE’s interests, and they are waiting for something truly revolutionary.
We’ve already mentioned that naming a potential release date is extremely ungracious, but there’s a feeling that a release can be expected by summer 2024. First, we need to wait for discounts on stickers from the Major, and after their end, VALVE shouldn’t leave players without updated content. Also, summer is the time for traditional Steam sales, and there will be a long pause in the competitive scene. Developers like to make announcements at the most unexpected moments, and a rather dull summer is an excellent reason to please players and motivate them to show interest in their product.