Shroud claims CS2 will be a ‘dead game’, but fans strongly disagree
As one of the most established gamers ever, Michael "Shroud" Grzesiek's word is normally gospel. The former Counter-Strike professional has warped into some form of empyrean judge, jury, and executioner of games in recent years after mastering an impressive portfolio of titles.
But just as CS2 rolls out, the ex-pro has given a scathing review of the sequel title, and fans aren't buying that there isn't an ulterior motive.
Shroud claims that CS2 will be a 'dead game'
Click to enlargeAfter taking aim at some of the new smoke features, where players are becoming much braver, popping out of the grey clouds, and following an encounter with a cheater, Shroud doomed Counter-Strike 2 to an early grave.
"I think this game dies. I think CS dies with 2. I firmly believe that," Shroud said on-stream. "I think this is the end of Counter-Strike with this game. We had a good run," he added.
Counter-Strike has been around for an age, though, having first launched in 2000, and has fought off competition from VALORANT in recent years. It's cimbed back to the top of the tree and earned apologies from the doubters.
Other players have agreed with Shroud, as ex-Halo professional Nick "MaNiaC" Kershner added, "I literally hate the abilities on VAL but I hopped on CS2 and was [Bored emoji x2]. Hate to keep repeating this, but there was simply no dope."
Shroud's critique of CS2 slammed by fans
Following Shroud's lambast of CS2, a wealth of industry figures have pitched into the argument, with many claiming that this is more of a ploy to push his fans away from the game and back towards the genre he will soon be building a game in.
"Isn't Shroud an advisor for Shrapnel, [a] web 3 title very similar to CS2 and potential competitor of CS2 or no?" quizzed Esports Journalist of the Year Kevin Hitt.
The title Shroud is developing isn't quite a CS2 competitor, given that it's an open-world looter shooter, but others also agreed that his criticism for the game might have hints of self-promo behind it.
"Shroud whose making a video game and left CSGO because he couldn’t win the big one lmfaoo," added a fan. Others have also had enough of some of Shroud's misguided rants.
"Respect for what he did in CS but he's had so many bad takes on games he's played and IMO he just says this for clicks and eyes from the CS community," said esports host James Banks.
CS:GO often passed the test of time, so if Counter-Strike was to die as prophesied by Shroud, it likely wouldn't be for a decade's time anyway.
