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Valve files two trademarks for 'CS2', fueling Counter-Strike sequel rumors

The recent trademarks filed by Valve for 'CS2' make mention of 'video game software' and 'organization of competitions relating to video games'.

TJ Denzer

March 20, 2023 9:10 AM

Image via Valve

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Valve has filed some very interesting new trademarks this month and they may be related to the rumors swirling around possibility of a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive sequel. The company recently filed two trademarks for something simply referred to as “CS2.” However, the details attached the trademark go on to share that it is a game and it may involve some level of competition, leading many to believe this is a filing for the Counter-Strike series.

These recent “CS2” trademarks were discovered on the US Patent and Trademark Office website, as reported by PC Gamer. Both trademarks were filed by Valve on March 14, 2023. The first CS2 trademark simply refers to “video game software,” which would still likely be good enough to draw some conclusions, putting Valve, CS2, and video games together on an official record. The second trademark is a little more illuminating and sounds very in-line with what Valve and Counter-Strike fans would want out of another game in the franchise:

The particular mention of “competitions relating to video games” seems like a dead giveaway for a proper CSGO2. Readers may also recall that recently it was reported that a supposed Counter-Strike 2 (apparently a working title) was in the final stages of development and could be announced in official capacity as late as April 1. Further details on the rumored game were discovered in an Nvidia graphics drivers update, in which dataminers apparently discovered files including “csgo2.exe”. This would suggest that an executable for a new Counter-Strike game is already prepped and nearly ready to go.

Valve itself has confirmed nothing in regards to a new Counter-Strike game just yet. Nonetheless, there are a lot of arrows pointing in the same direction. If CSGO2 is real, is seems we could see it in the very near future. Stay tuned for further news and a possible official announcement here at Shacknews.

TJ Denzer

Senior News Editor

TJ Denzer is a player and writer with a passion for games that has dominated a lifetime. He found his way to the Shacknews roster in late 2019 and has worked his way to Senior News Editor since. Between news coverage, he also aides notably in livestream projects like the indie game-focused Indie-licious, the Shacknews Stimulus Games, and the Shacknews Dump. You can reach him at tj.denzer@shacknews.com and also find him on Twitter @JohnnyChugs.