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Paintball mode, cash stacks, and lighting changes: What’s hidden in the Animgraph 2 beta files
Valve’s Animgraph 2 beta features more than just animation changes. Data miners have already examined the files and discovered several additions that point to something more significant coming to CS2.
Paintball is coming soon
Six paintball impact textures have been added to the game files under the new Impact.Paintball decal type. Six different paintball impact patterns indicate a fully-fledged system, not just a placeholder. There are already rumors in the community about a special paintball mode, and this makes it more realistic.
Paintball Decals in CS2 ‼️
— Thour (@ThourCS2) April 2, 2026
Here are all six Paintball Impact Decals added to the game files in today’s AnimGraph2 Beta update. pic.twitter.com/S11cC5FfLu
Stacks of money point to a new regime
A new money stack model was found in a folder clearly labeled “gameplay.” This isn’t a cosmetic folder. The last time CS had a mode built around collecting money from the environment was Danger Zone. It’s unclear whether this signals the return of Danger Zone or an entirely new mode, but its folder location precludes any cosmetic purpose.
New Model – Cash Stack found in this Update ‼️
— Thour (@ThourCS2) April 2, 2026
Maybe a new game-mode or Danger Zone back? pic.twitter.com/9Ll0ySzHKC
Nuke and Vertigo received lighting updates
Both Nuke and Vertigo received lighting changes in the beta, along with animation updates. Neither map was mentioned in the official patch notes, suggesting that Valve is quietly working on visual updates for two of the most popular maps in the pool.
Nuke and Vertigo also have some lighting changes in today’s AnimGraph2 Beta Branch 💡
— Thour (@ThourCS2) April 2, 2026
Here’s a before-and-after preview: pic.twitter.com/7k5vJEEhoj
The beta is still in its early stages, and Valve hasn’t officially confirmed any of these features yet. But the files don’t lie, and they currently point to the largest expansion of CS2’s gameplay in years.