You can still play CSGO after CS2 launch, here’s how

While Counter-Strike 2 represents the franchise’s evolution, many players find themselves missing specific CS:GO elements that haven’t transitioned to the new platform. The legacy version serves as a temporary bridge for those not ready to fully abandon the classic experience.

The Source 2 engine delivers impressive visual enhancements and technical improvements in CS2, yet numerous beloved gameplay components remain absent. From specialized game modes like Arms Race and Demolition to thousands of community-created maps, Valve continues working to migrate these features. The transition period creates a unique situation where both versions coexist temporarily.

Fortunately, Valve implemented a controlled rollback mechanism allowing players to revisit CS:GO’s final build. This legacy access provides a safety net for competitive players adjusting to CS2’s gameplay changes or those wanting to enjoy classic maps not yet available in the new client.

Accessing the CS:GO legacy build requires navigating Steam’s beta participation system. This process temporarily replaces your CS2 installation with the previous Global Offensive version, requiring approximately 15GB of additional storage space during the transition.

• Launch Steam client and navigate to your Games Library section
• Locate Counter-Strike 2 in your game list and right-click it
• Select Properties from the context menu that appears
• Click the Beta tab in the properties window
• From the Beta Participation dropdown, choose ‘csgo_legacy’ option
• Allow the download to complete and verify installation
• Restart Steam and launch the game normally

After successfully completing these steps, you’ll encounter the familiar CS:GO interface rather than CS2. The legacy build represents the final pre-CS2 version with all its original features intact, though with important limitations discussed in the next section.

The legacy version functions as a limited-access archive rather than a fully featured game. Most significantly, all community server functionality has been disabled, meaning you cannot join custom servers or play with other players online. This restriction fundamentally changes how you can experience the classic game.

Workshop map support remains completely unavailable in the legacy build, preventing access to thousands of custom creations. Your skin collection remains visible in the inventory screen for inspection purposes, but these cosmetic items cannot be equipped during actual gameplay sessions. The only available gameplay option involves practicing against bots on official Valve maps, which may feel restrictive for players accustomed to community content.

Valve has announced official support for the CS:GO legacy version will conclude on January 1, 2024. The company hasn’t clarified whether this means complete removal or simply ceasing updates. This timeline suggests Valve expects to have substantial Workshop support implemented in CS2 by year’s end, similar to how Weapons Unlock systems evolve in other franchise titles.

For players seeking community server experiences, third-party platforms may offer limited alternatives, though these operate outside Valve’s official ecosystem. The gaming community continues developing workarounds, much like how Complete Guide resources emerge for other transitioning franchises.

The January 2024 deadline indicates Valve’s confidence in CS2’s development timeline. As the new platform matures, expect feature parity to gradually eliminate the need for legacy access. Players should monitor official announcements regarding Workshop implementation timelines.

Understanding these limitations helps set appropriate expectations. The legacy version serves best as a transitional tool for specific training scenarios or nostalgic sessions rather than a permanent CS:GO replacement. As with mastering Class Guide systems in other games, adapting to platform changes requires strategic planning.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » You can still play CSGO after CS2 launch, here’s how Complete guide to accessing CS:GO legacy version with step-by-step instructions and limitations explained