Valve ban Snap Tap and other movement automations in CS2

In the past few months, the technology known as Snap Tap in CS2 has sparked much debate. However, following the end of IEM Cologne 2024, developers have made an official decision. Valve has announced that starting now, movement automations such as null binds and Snap Tap are no longer allowed.

What is Snap Tap? Why is Valve banning it?

Razer’s exclusive Snap Tap function ensures seamless and non-overlapping movement in games. This means you can consistently execute a quick switch from moving left (A) to right (D), without any stray movements. Other brands like Wooting have comparable features, such as SOCD, which are often collectively referred to as Snap Tap, although they may have slight variations.

But if it’s a feature that makes the game more precise, why is Valve banning it?

Immediately after the feature became available for all users, several people expressed worries about it. Notably, professional player Robin “ropz” Kool quickly pointed out that Snap Tap significantly lowers the game’s skill cap, and Valve seemed to acknowledge this concern. Through Mike’s analysis on Substack, it was discovered that a significant number of players were secretly utilizing Snap Tap at various LAN events, and as more players began using it, a decision from developers became necessary.

“Developing one’s coordination and reaction time has always been key to mastering Counter-Strike.”

Valve might choose to prohibit Snap Tap, following their revamp of Jump Binds, or they could adapt it to be usable by all players, not only those with specific keyboards. In contrast to this, the creators of CS2 opted for the latter solution.

As an enthusiast, I’m embracing a new policy: I won’t tolerate the use of automation, either through scripting or hardware, that bypasses essential gaming skills. From now on, and initially, only on Valve Official Servers, players suspected of automating actions from a single game input may face removal from their match.

Valve’s Snap Tap ban may affect Pro player performances

As a passionate esports enthusiast, I had the opportunity to witness the debut of Snap Tap during ESL Pro League Season 19, initially used by only four pro players. However, at IEM Cologne 2024, its popularity skyrocketed, with an impressive 39 players giving it a try! This surge in usage sparked intriguing speculations among analysts about the potential impact of Snap Tap on players’ performance. Recently, Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg shared his thoughts on NiKo’s remarkable improvement in form, suggesting that Snap Tap could be a factor worth considering.

Despite Valve’s Snap Tap ban having minimal impact on the overall competitive landscape, this is evident from Team Vitality’s victory at IEM Cologne. Post-event analysis on Reddit of their match demos revealed that none of the players utilized the banned feature during any matches.