In April, the average online player count for Counter-Strike 2 reached a record high since its full release - 930,749 players, according to data from the analytical service Steam Charts.
However, the peak online count also hit a record high since October of last year. Last month, the number of players at peak times reached 1,618,685.
The improvement in online metrics is likely attributed to a recent major update. Specifically, in the competitive map pool, Dust2 replaced Overpass, some gameplay changes were made to Inferno, and sights for grenade throws and the option to choose a left-handed view were added.
Here's the online statistics for CS2 over the past 12 months:
On official servers, there has been a sharp increase in the number of matches being canceled due to the detection of suspicious gameplay, as reported by data miner Maxim "Gabe Follower" Poletaev on his Twitter account.
Players involved in canceled matches are receiving a one-day competitive matchmaking ban. According to Gabe Follower, developers have implemented this duration of restriction to send the game demo for inspection by the "Patrol" team.
Interestingly, a significant wave of player bans during matches has been observed recently, with the reason cited as "Account convicted by the Patrol." As noted by Gabe Follower, these bans number in the "hundreds, if not thousands."
It's worth noting that on April 26, CS2 received a major update introducing the "Patrol" system. Unlike CS:GO, not all players have access to reviewing demo recordings of suspicious matches; only "trusted partners" have this privilege.