CS2 VACNet: Is Overwatch back in Counter-Strike 2?
As of August 2026, Valve has launched a VACNet Labeling Portal in a closed test. It works similarly to the old Overwatch system: selected players can review clips of suspected cheaters and label what they see.
Read up all on the new Anti Cheat System, what VACNet Labeling Portal is doing, how you can join the limited test program and everything else you need to know about the "successor" of Overwatch!
About the VACNet Labeling Portal:
As of August 2026, Valve has launched a VACNet Labeling Portal in a closed test. It works similarly to the old Overwatch system. Invited Players can review game clips of suspected cheaters and label what they see!
This will potentially be a huge step in Counter-Strike 2's Anti cheat, in VACNet, VACNet Live and in a potential new Overwatch-system for CS2.
Learn all about the brand new CS2 "VACNet Labeling Portal"closed test, what this could mean for the Anti cheat and Counter-Strike 2 in general. And we will also tell you how you can be invited to do some good old fashioned "Overwatch Cases".
This will potentially be a huge step in Counter-Strike 2's Anti cheat, in VACNet, VACNet Live and in a potential new Overwatch-system for CS2.
Learn all about the brand new CS2 "VACNet Labeling Portal"closed test, what this could mean for the Anti cheat and Counter-Strike 2 in general. And we will also tell you how you can be invited to do some good old fashioned "Overwatch Cases".
CS2 VACNet Labeling Portal: Is Overwatch is here?
Valve has quietly brought back an Overwatch-style system to Counter-Strike 2 through a new VACNet Labeling Portal. The system launched in August 2026 and is currently invite-only. We will talk about HOW you can be invited to the closed VACNet Test and thus the "new Overwatch" later.
Yes, but it is not exactly the same as CS Overwatch.
The VACNet Labeling Portal can be considered the spiritual successor to Overwatch because it puts suspicious gameplay in front of human reviewers.
However, there is a major difference:
In Overwatch you could help to ban and prosecute Cheaters and Hackers, but with the VACNet Labeling Portal you only help to train future version of the Counter-Strike 2 Anti Cheat.
Yes, but it is not exactly the same as CS Overwatch.
The VACNet Labeling Portal can be considered the spiritual successor to Overwatch because it puts suspicious gameplay in front of human reviewers.
However, there is a major difference:
In Overwatch you could help to ban and prosecute Cheaters and Hackers, but with the VACNet Labeling Portal you only help to train future version of the Counter-Strike 2 Anti Cheat.
VACNet vs. Overwatch
Unlike the old CS:GO Overwatch system, reviewers cannot directly ban players. Instead, selected players watch short gameplay clips and label suspicious behavior such as aim assistance, wallhacks, auto-bhop, or botting (being a Bot).
Their verdicts are used as training data to help Valve improve the VACNet anti-cheat system. Valve states that: "The player you are watching will not be directly affected by your verdict. Rather, labels may be used to train future VACNet models."
The new system is also browser-based, rather than being the full in-game Overwatch experience CS players remember. Valve has not publicly explained the exact requirements for receiving an invitation, or why they have chosen to have the new System browser-based instead of having the demos in the game. Here is what that looks like:
Their verdicts are used as training data to help Valve improve the VACNet anti-cheat system. Valve states that: "The player you are watching will not be directly affected by your verdict. Rather, labels may be used to train future VACNet models."
The new system is also browser-based, rather than being the full in-game Overwatch experience CS players remember. Valve has not publicly explained the exact requirements for receiving an invitation, or why they have chosen to have the new System browser-based instead of having the demos in the game. Here is what that looks like:
Is the VACNet Labeling Portal the same as CS Overwatch?
The short answer is: No.
It serves a very similar community-review function, but the new system is primarily designed to collect labelled data for VACNet rather than allow reviewers to directly determine punishments.
It definitely is the spiritual successor of Overwatch from the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive days.
It serves a very similar community-review function, but the new system is primarily designed to collect labelled data for VACNet rather than allow reviewers to directly determine punishments.
It definitely is the spiritual successor of Overwatch from the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive days.
Valve's Rules
According to the Counter-Strike 2 Developers at Valve here are the "rules" and explanations about the new System:
- X-Ray is active.
- The player you are watching will not be directly affected by your verdict. Rather, labels may be used to train future VACNet models.
- It is fine (and expected) that you will often select "Uncertain." Please be certain if you make any other selection.
- Clip selection is not a representative sample of gameplay.
How do I get access to VACNet?
You either get invited directly by Valve, but why and how they chose the players, Valve did not state. But if you or a friend have access, you need to complete at least 100 cases (review clips), to invite your friends.
Keep an eye out for your messages, and be sure if you get invited that it is a real, genuine link for CS2 Net - VACNet.
Here is what your access will look like in Counter-Strike 2 and on the Valve official CS2 website.
Keep an eye out for your messages, and be sure if you get invited that it is a real, genuine link for CS2 Net - VACNet.
Here is what your access will look like in Counter-Strike 2 and on the Valve official CS2 website.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading our article on the brand new VACNet system. We hope you will be reviewing Clips and Gameplay dutiful, and help train the next generation of CS2's Anti cheat to get rid of the cheating problem once and for all. We hope our little guide about the new VACNet Labeling Portal.
Time to do some "Overwatch" in Counter-Strike 2 and help this new tool bust some cheaters!
Time to do some "Overwatch" in Counter-Strike 2 and help this new tool bust some cheaters!
