How Valve made almost $1 billion from Counter-Strike 2 case openings last year

Counter-Strike 2 is one of the most popular and profitable games in the world, with millions of players and fans. But what makes it even more lucrative for its developer, Valve, is the case opening system that allows players to buy and open virtual containers that contain random (kind of) cosmetic items for their guns, knives and gloves.

According to the report, Valve earned a staggering $980 million from CS2 case openings in 2023. It also reveals that the average price of a CS2 case key was $2.49, and the average number of case openings per day was 1.08 million. This means that Valve made an average of $2.7 million per day from CS2 case openings alone.

The case opening system in CS2 is a form of loot box, a controversial monetization model that has been criticized for its addictive and gambling-like nature. Some countries, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, have banned case openings or imposed strict regulations on them, arguing that they violate gambling laws and exploit vulnerable consumers.

However, Valve has defended its case opening system, claiming that it is not gambling and that it provides players with a way to customize their experience and support the game’s economy. Valve also stated that it does not manipulate the odds of getting rare or valuable items from cases, and that it discloses the probabilities of each item on its chinese website.

The case opening system in CS2 is also a major driver of the game’s skins market, where players can buy, sell and trade items with each other using Steam trading mechanic. Some of the rarest and most sought-after items in CS2, such as knives and gloves, can sell for thousands of dollars in real cash. Of course, we recommend using Waxpeer for buying and selling in-game items, as our platform uses P2P system, which provides safe and easy experience to our users.

The popularity and profitability of CS2 case openings also reflect the game’s enduring appeal and relevance, despite being released in 2012 as CS:GO. CS2 is widely regarded as one of the best and most competitive first-person shooters in history, with a loyal fan base and a vibrant esports scene.

CS2 is not the only game that uses case opening or loot box systems, as many other titles, such as FIFA, Overwatch, and Call of Duty, also employ similar mechanisms to generate revenue. However, CS2 is arguably the most successful and influential example of this model, as it has created a huge and dynamic market for virtual items that has enriched both Valve and its players.