How to Install Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), the next title in the franchise which will be succeeding CS:GO, has been announced by Valve and is currently running a Limited Test ahead of the complete release, scheduled for Summer 2023.

At this point in time, the CS2 Limited Test is very much live and running, but only for a few selective players. So it is possible to download and install Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test but the process might not be simple and straightforward.

Since the initial announcement on 22nd March, players have been added in small batches to test the game. Here is the complete information on gaining access to the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test and even playing the game.

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How to Access, Install, Play Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test: Complete Details

Many in the community are excited about Counter-Strike 2 and want to play the next version of the game by downloading and installing it on their systems. Unfortunately, this is not so simple and straightforward because only very few players have gained access to the current trial version.

Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test: How to Gain Access?

Earlier in March, along with the initial announcement Valve had given certain players an invite to the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test within CS:GO itself.

Certain players, upon opening CS:GO had received a notification on the main menu, which was in fact an invitation to enroll for the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test.

Players were given three options to choose, Enroll, CS2 Info, Close, along with information about the download size of Counter-Strike Limited Test which was 15 GB.

At that point in time, Valve had also mentioned that the criteria for players receiving a Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test invite included factors like recent playtime on official servers, trust factor, and Steam account status, among other factors.

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

However, these criteria were updated on 31st August by Valve. According to the new announcement, the process of inviting as many eligible players as possible to the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test has begun.

In order to receive a possible invite the following factors have to be met,

Players must have CS:GO Prime Status.

An active Competitive Skill Group.

Play the majority of their official matchmaking games in one of the regions where the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test is available.

Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test: How to Download, Install, and Play?

In case you have already received a Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test invite then it is well and fine. On the other hand, you can follow the best practices mentioned above and hope to receive one soon directly on your CS:GO main menu.

Do keep in mind that, the only way to receive legit access to Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test is by launching CS:GO via Steam and checking the main menu for an invite.

Valve has already warned players about not logging into third-party websites and falling for the concept of Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test Keys, as nothing like this exists.

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

Now, once a player receives a legitimate invite they can simply press on ‘Enroll’ and install Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test which should be 15 GB in size.

After the install completes and the game is automatically installed, players need to head over to CS:GO on Steam and click on Play.

Now, two options will pop up in front of the players whether they want to launch CS:GO or Counter-Strike 2, simply click on the second option and enjoy playing the game.

Here is everything you need to know about how to gain access to the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test. After receiving the legitimate invitation download and install so that you can play it and experience the power of the Source 2 engine.

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