In a recent stream, former professional esports player TenZ, known for his time in VALORANT and CS, voiced strong criticisms regarding Valve’s handling of Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) following the launch of their new game, Deadlock.
TenZ’s Comments on Valve
During a Sept. 30 stream, TenZ responded to a viewer’s question about Valve’s future plans for CS2, revealing his disappointment with the game’s lack of updates since its launch on September 27 last year. He pointed out that Valve has focused more on Deadlock, which has received frequent updates and content patches.
“It was just mainly porting it to the Source 2 engine,” TenZ explained, referring to CS2’s transition from CS. He further stated, “But the other reason is so that they can just do it and say that they’ve done some stuff and then work fully on Deadlock and release two full patches filled with content… but happy birthday Counter-Strike, you didn’t get anything.”
Comparing CS2 to Team Fortress 2
TenZ did not hold back on his comparisons, suggesting that Valve’s treatment of CS2 resembles the neglect shown towards Team Fortress 2 (TF2). “Counter-Strike to Valve was like its f*ing adopted child. And [TF2] is like the cousin**… I think Valve is giving the TF2 treatment to CS right now,” he remarked.
This statement resonates with many players who feel that Valve has shifted its focus away from long-standing franchises in favor of new titles, leading to frustration within the community.
Criticism of Gabe Newell
The criticism extended to Valve’s president, Gabe Newell, whom TenZ claimed he had never seen at a Counter-Strike event, contrasting this with Newell’s frequent appearances at Dota 2’s premier competition, The International. “He f*ing hates Counter-Strike. This game makes him a stupid amount of money, but he just goes, ‘eh’**,” TenZ expressed.
While this negativity surrounds CS2, there is a silver lining for Deadlock, which has garnered significant popularity despite being in its early stages. TenZ acknowledged that Deadlock’s growth may be a positive development, particularly as it continues to receive consistent updates.
Conclusion
TenZ’s remarks have sparked conversations within the gaming community, emphasizing concerns over Valve’s prioritization of new titles at the expense of their existing franchises. As players await substantial updates for CS2, many are left wondering about the future of their beloved game.