Valve has released a surprise update for Counter-Strike 2. While the developers did not publish official patch notes, players have already independently discovered a series of major additions, including a companion system, a new dynamic game mode, and tactical mechanics.
The main surprise was the addition of chickens as pets. Now, in their Weekly Drops, players can receive an egg that takes up both drop slots. These hatch into chickens and roosters—overall, there are 34 unique designs available in the game, featuring different appearances and animations.
The new companion appears next to the player in the main menu but is not added to the regular inventory. Pets can be inspected up close and petted, and photos with them can be saved in a special "Pet Book." A feeding item has also been spotted in the game, though the exact details of how this system works remain unknown.
In addition to pets, the update introduced a dynamic Rush 3x3 mode. Its key rules are:

The update also brought a small but important tactical change to the gameplay: players now have the ability to reload their weapons more quietly during crucial moments of the match.
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