• Valve's October 15 Counter-Strike 2 update makes demos easier to review, with download progress, revised camera controls, and the ability to use free and chase cameras while playback is paused. The patch also adjusts AUG reload animations, changes how servers handle round backup files, and improves Vulkan stability.

Reviewing demos while playback is paused

Demo and replay downloads now display a progress bar, making it easier to tell whether a file is still downloading. Once a demo opens, the camera uses click-and-drag controls. Valve also fixed minor issues that could occur when seeking to another point in a demo.

The paused-camera change is useful for anyone inspecting a particular moment in a round. Viewers can now move free and chase cameras while playback is stopped instead of letting the demo run as they look for an angle.

Server backups, AUG animations, and Vulkan

Server operators must now launch the game server with -allow_round_backup_files to use round backup files. Valve has also specified which radio commands are allowed.

The AUG's standing and crouched reload animations now better match its new reload duration. The update does not announce another change to that duration; it brings the animations into line with it.

Valve added the toolsskybox_occluder tool material to the CS2 Workshop Tools and improved the stability of the Vulkan renderer. The announcement does not specify which Vulkan issues the patch addresses.

Full changelog (Valve patch notes)

[ UI ] Demo/Replay viewer improvements:

  • Added a progress bar for demo/replay downloads
  • Camera controls now use click-and-drag scheme
  • Free and chase camera are usable during a paused demo
  • Fixed some minor issues when seeking to a different position in the demo file [ MISC ] Round backup files now require the game server startup flag "-allow_round_backup_files"Updated AUG reload animations for standing and crouch reloads to better match new reload durationAllowed radio commands now have an explicit listAdded toolsskybox_occluder tool material for CS2 Workshop ToolsStability improvements for Vulkan renderer