Counter-Strike 2 is the most current, up-to-date version of Counter-Strike, but CS:GO (Global Offensive) has been getting a lot of attention again after the legacy version recently returned to Steam. It was previously delisted as CS2 took its place. However, while players were excited to jump back in, there was one big issue: there were no official matchmaking servers.

Now, just a few weeks later, the community has already stepped in with a solution. A Reddit user named HilmHugo1, along with two of their friends, has created a new platform called Flikshot that brings back full ELO-based matchmaking for CS:GO. The goal is simple: give players the classic competitive experience using 128-tick servers previously found on third-party providers.

Flikshot aims to revive CS:GO with 128-tick ranked matchmaking

One of the biggest highlights of this platform is 128-tick servers. For many players, this is a big deal, as higher tick rates mean smoother gameplay and more accurate hit registration. In-game matchmaking for CS:GO used 64-tick servers, while third-party sites popular with competitive players, such as FACEIT and ESEA, doubled this to 128-tick. According to the creators and many fans, anything lower just doesn’t feel right for competitive play.

For Counter-Strike 2, Valve opted to change to a new ‘sub-tick’ system. Official servers still operate at 64-tick, but the new system is designed to make actions more responsive by ‘timestamping’ actions between the 64Hz server updates to allow for more precision. Regardless of sub-tick, many pros of the game agree that 128-tick servers still feel better.

The platform also includes a proper ELO ranking system, allowing players to track their progress more clearly. Everyone starts at a base rating, and it changes depending on match results and performance.

Another interesting feature is the free progression system. Players can earn weapon skins and other rewards just by playing matches and ranking up. There’s no pay-to-win system here, and the creators have made it clear that they want to keep things fair for everyone.

Right now, servers are available in Europe and North America, with plans to expand to more regions like SEA if enough players join. The system also supports solo queue as well as full parties of up to five players, making it easy to play with friends.

Since this is still an early version, the developers are actively asking the community for feedback. They want players to test the platform, share what works, and point out what needs improvement. In any case, for players who missed classic CS:GO matchmaking, this might be the closest thing to getting it back.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.