On the night of May 16, the CS2 developers rolled out a new update, with the main highlight being improvements to the game’s audio system. Valve focused on enhancing the sound experience — particularly when firing the AK-47.
Key Changes
The update shortens the start of the AK-47’s firing sound, making shooting feel crisper. Additionally, the 150ms delay between firing and the sound of hitting an enemy (from the shooter’s perspective) has been removed. To make hit sounds even more noticeable, Valve has temporarily implemented a system that lowers the volume of background noise and gunfire when a hit sound is played.
Watch this short comparison by Thour showcasing the improved AK-47 firing sound and hit feedback in action:
Before vs After of the Reduced delay for body shot impact sounds from the attacker perspective ‼️
I can clearly notice the difference in the AK sound. pic.twitter.com/fazfpdmnMA
— Thour (@ThourCS2) May 15, 2025
Aside from audio improvements, the patch includes several other fixes:
- Deathmatch mode now allows teams with an uneven number of players.
- Fixed a visual bug where fire from molotovs and incendiary grenades was visible through the AK-47 viewmodel.
- Fixed incorrect lighting on stickers covering the front grip of the AK-47 when using the left-hand view.
- Fixed an issue where inventory item icons were displayed incorrectly while aiming.
The update is now available for download. Valve continues to make incremental improvements to the CS2 experience, focusing on details that directly impact gameplay feel.
Why It Matters
These changes are especially important because the quality of audio feedback directly affects a player’s performance in combat. Removing the delay between shooting and hit confirmation allows players to react instantly — which is crucial in the fast-paced nature of CS2. Enhancing the AK-47’s sound — one of the most iconic and impactful weapons in the game — also improves a player’s sense of control, reduces confusion during gunfights, and provides more precise audio cues, which are essential for decision-making at the highest level of play.
