Blog
The Strikeistan blog
Guides, explainers and analysis about Counter-Strike 2, written by the Strikeistan team.
Guides · How to Check Steam Server StatusHow to tell whether Steam itself is down or the problem is on your side, and what to do while you wait.
Guides · History of Dust 2: From CS 1.1 to Counter-Strike 2Who made Dust 2, why it was pulled from CS:GO's map pool, what the 2017 remake changed and how the classic map carried into CS2.
Guides · How to Request a Steam RefundSteam's refund rules explained for CS2 players, with the request steps and the cases where a refund is unlikely.
Guides · How Steam Wallet Funds Work for CS2A plain guide to the Steam Wallet for Counter-Strike 2 players, covering top-ups, Market credit, limits, refunds and common scams.
Guides · How to Fix CS2 Antivirus False PositivesWhat to do when antivirus software flags or quarantines CS2 files, and how to fix it without weakening your PC's protection.
Guides · How to Stream CS2 on TwitchA practical setup guide to stream CS2 on Twitch with OBS Studio, from game capture and audio to performance and stream safety.
Guides · How to Take Screenshots in CS2How to take a CS2 screenshot with Steam, change the key, find and upload your pictures, and use Windows tools as a backup.
Guides · How to Record CS2 GameplayRecord CS2 with Steam's built-in Game Recording, the in-game demo system or screen capture software. Here is what each method is good for.
Guides · How to Fix the Steam Overlay in CS2The Steam overlay gives you friends, chat, a browser and screenshots inside CS2. Here is how to get it working again when Shift+Tab does nothing.
Guides · How to Fix CS2 Failed to Connect to ServerThe match popped but you cannot get in. Here is how to fix a CS2 failed to connect error quickly, and how to avoid a cooldown while you do.
Guides · How to Fix CS2 Matchmaking Not Finding GamesAn ordered checklist for when CS2 matchmaking is not working: the queue never pops, modes are locked, or the search fails straight away.
Guides · CS2 Account Standing: What You Can Check and What Stays HiddenA checklist for your CS2 account standing: which signals you can actually see, which ones Valve keeps hidden, and what to do about each.