Top 5 Features That Didn’t Make It Into CS2

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If we delve into the history of Counter-Strike, almost all discoveries by dataminers have eventually been added to the game. Enthusiasts who scrutinize every new file have uncovered future additions such as glove skins, a battle royale mode, new weapons, agents, and much more. However, not all datamined discoveries made it into the final release. Let’s recall some content that prematurely became public but remained just a finding in the game files.

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TAC-21 Sniper Rifle

The first mentions of a new CS2 weapon tagged TAC-21 appeared almost 10 years ago, on October 23, 2014. Developers added references to the weapon’s firing sounds with names like tac21_shoot and tac21_shoot_distant, but the actual audio files were missing. Players quickly identified it as a new sniper rifle, as a TAC-21 weapon was easily found online. A year later, in early 2016, a new clue appeared in the game files: an inspection animation named tac21_loop. This was linked to a long weapon even larger than the AWP. However, no textures or models of the gun were found, and the TAC-21 never appeared in the game. All mentions of the rifle eventually disappeared, suggesting that the developers decided against adding another sniper rifle.

Capture the Flag Mode

In 2014, a file named cp_dust2 was found in the map source codes, hinting at a new game mode. On the Dust2 CS2 map, two zones with flagpoles appeared where players could capture a flag and needed to hold the area until complete victory—classic Capture the Flag mechanics. This mode never materialized, and by 2018, when it was almost forgotten, developers changed one of the parameters in the file. This might have been a joke, as there were no further mentions of Capture the Flag.

Tomahawk, Adrenaline, and Bow

CSGO files have repeatedly revealed references to unusual weapons that could have changed the gameplay. These included the tomahawk, an adrenaline syringe, and a composite bow. In 2014, mentions of new melee weapons were found: the falchion, Bowie knife, classic CS2 knife, and M48 Tomahawk. The first three were eventually added to the game, but the tomahawk remained unrealized. After the December 2015 update that introduced the R8 Revolver, players discovered an "adrenaline" icon known from Left 4 Dead 2, but its functionality remained a mystery. In 2016, there were reports of a "composite bow" that players could use to adjust arrow shot strength and attach grenades. However, the idea of adding such items to a balance-focused game puzzled the community.

Heist Mode

Another intriguing mode found in the game files was “Heist.” At the end of 2016, a model of the Heavy Phoenix with the “Wildfire” operation, wearing a sports bag with money sticking out, was discovered. There was also a file setting for Heist Mode. However, this idea seems to have been shelved or repurposed, as similar mechanics are now used in "Danger Zone."

SCAR-17 Assault Rifle

The most hyped find in Counter-Strike files was the SCAR-17 CS2 rifle. This weapon was mentioned from the very beginning of the closed beta test of CS:GO in 2011. By 2016, players had a complete picture of the SCAR-17: model, textures, animations, sounds, characteristics, and other details. Moreover, on the CS icon, a character could be seen holding this very rifle. It is likely that the SCAR-17 will never appear in the game. Dataminers believe that developers originally planned to make this weapon the main one for the counter-terrorists, but ultimately chose the M4A4 instead. The numerous mentions of the SCAR-17 in the files are likely just echoes of early plans and a lack of cleanup in the game files.

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Conclusion

The history of Counter-Strike is full of examples where potential new features remain just findings in the game files. Perhaps in the future, developers will surprise CS2 players by revisiting these ideas, but for now, they remain part of the legends surrounding this popular shooter series.