In case you missed it, Valve essentially brought Overwatch back to Counter-Strike earlier this week with its new ‘CS2 Video Review’ tool, which currently works directly from a browser rather than in-game. However, fans of the franchise have already been skeptical about its effectiveness, especially as VAC-banned accounts can reportedly be invited – luckily, they may not get very far.

Unlike the previous Overwatch, the new browser system is much more condensed. It only shows reviewers a 10-15 second replay to analyze and provide a verdict on, rather than highlights from an entire match. Reviewers have the option to flag Aim Assist, Wall Hack, Auto BHop, and Bot Player options, or they can go with ‘Uncertain’ – and that’s OK; in fact, it’s encouraged.

Can cheaters abuse the new CS2 ‘Overwatch’ video review system?

CS2 Review replays are available via the VACNet Labeling Portal, and it’s an invite program. You either get invited directly by Valve, or you get invited by another player with access, provided they have completed a good number of verdicts (the exact requirements remain a mystery). Either way, users report that you can actually invite a VAC-banned account to the program.

The counterpoint to this is pretty simple, albeit speculation for now. Valve is likely able to track VAC-banned accounts and secretly disregard its decisions, as well as any other associated accounts sending these invites in the first place. However, clips have already surfaced online of people using the system incorrectly, labeling blatant cheating clips as “not cheating”.

An important thing to remember about the new VACNet reporting system is that your decisions do not directly affect the accused player (The Suspect/Subject). This is a major distinction from the previous Overwatch implementation, as your verdicts could directly result in timeouts or bans. With the new system, these verdicts are only being used to train Valve’s VACNet AI models.

It seems entirely possible Valve is filtering out ‘bad actors’ in one way or another, or giving more voting power to trusted accounts, such as literal professional CS players, for example. Either way, we’re keen to see how much difference is being made now that Overwatch has finally made a return. It was left out of the game when CS:GO transitioned to Counter-Strike 2 in 2023.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.