"Even 64 tick is better": CS2 community debates the sub-tick system

Valve introduced the new sub-tick system for CS2 to help improve user experience. The game's predecessor, CS:GO, used to operate on the 64-tick rate. This basically meant that the game's servers would update the world 64 times per second. Valve did away with the old system to smoothen the player experience, and yet many continue to wonder if the sub-tick system actually works well in Counter-Strike 2.

Recently, famous leaker Ozzny took to their X page to urge the developer to consider using the 128-tick rate system instead. The CS2 community was soon abuzz with opposing takes. One X user, @Vadim_Zurkov, seemed to agree with Ozzny. In fact, they would go one step further by suggesting that even the 64-tick rate felt better.

"Even 64 tick is better. I am still dying and killing behind walls."

Even Ozzny felt that fans had given CS2 enough time to show results with the sub-tick system. Unfortunately, the leaker believed that perhaps it is now time for Valve to use the 128 tick rate and give up on the new technology.

X user @typhl0 believed that Valve developers were lost. They suggested a simple experiment to see which tick rate works better, saying:

"@valvesoftware lead devs for @CounterStrike are completely lost. Fire up 2 PCs and compare the games live, side by side, in a room with the actual devs."

Meanwhile, some others believed that the sub-tick was just fine. User @CrickJV3 felt that perhaps the community was blaming the new tick rate for no good reason. They found some complaints to be unsubstantial.

One CS2 player, @Chasing_Amnesia, believed that the sub-tick is just better for the community overall. They suggested that the system works far better than its predecessors for players with slow or spotty network connections:

"Unfortunately sub-tick is just better for the community overall, 128 tick would negatively impact regions with slow/spotty internet more than sub-tick effects the whole community as is."

So what exactly is the issue with the new tick rate? Several members of the community complain about the laggy movement and some even report getting shot even with an object blocking the bullet's path. Can it all be blamed on the sub-tick system?

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Complaints regarding the many issues in CS2

Counter-Strike 2 (Image via Valve)

Fans have previously complained about the game not being as smooth as CS:GO. In fact, some even go as far as comparing CS2 to Valorant. Social media platforms such as X and Reddit often have discussions regarding the game's current state.

The truth is, Counter-Strike 2 introduced a lot of changes and at times, it feels like the game has overwhelmed itself. Hackers are abundant, bugs are common, and smoothness complaints have taken wind since Day 1.

Perhaps it will take some time for the title to live up to the expectations of many fans across the world. With time, it can perhaps regain the glory that CS:GO enjoyed for over a decade.