CS2 beta update changes gametime to MR12
Valve has not shied away from tinkering with aspects of Counter-Strike as they try to develop CS2 into a bigger and better product. Amongst these changes new code has been shared on Twitter by user 'aquaismissing' that suggests Valve will be enforcing MR12 in Competitive Matchmaking instead of the standard MR15. Right now, Valve has disabled competitive and private matchmaking as part of the beta.
Aquarius told Dust2.us that the change occurred within the two config files in the CS2 game, and that anyone with access to the beta can also access these files. In the gamemode_competitive.cfg, which is used for Competitive Matchmaking, the convar was altered from mp_maxrounds 30 to mp_maxround 24. Secondly, they updated the gamemode_competitive_short.cfg, which is used for the beloved "Shorties". In the update, they "commented out" the convar mp_maxround entirely, which according to Aquarius, nullifies the existence of those short games.
Finally, they added a new config file called gamemode_competitive_tmm, with the last three letters potentially standing for "team matchmaking". This file will be used for Premier and has rules that provide an overtime, timeouts, and other items commonly found in esports competitions.
The change suggests that Valve might move away from the "Short Matchmaking" system that the developer introduced in late 2021, with the now shortened MR12 time becoming the standard. The move would most likely be aimed at engaging casual and new players, with the shorter games easier to dip in and out of compared to MR15 matches that can last up to 90 minutes long (and longer in formats that have Overtime enabled).
Despite no official word coming from the developer, fans are already concerned that this adjustment will come to esports and impact the game going forward. There has been a real mix of reactions amongst the community, with some praising it for encouraging more people to get involved with the game that would be put off by the length of MR15 matches.
Others are clearly not a fan such as Falcons AWPer Miłosz "mhL" Knasiak. Others are more level about the change, feeling that whilst the MR12 format could be a positive switch it would need the economy to be tinkered with as well in order to not break the flow of the game at a Pro level.
When asked if this update might have just been to test out the new gamemode instead of completely switching over, Aquarius believes that it is a possibility, however there are more things Valve is likely to do first before instituting this.
