What Does Souvenir Mean in CS2?
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Hardcore game fans who collect unique loadout items treasure souvenirs dearly. But what do souvenir skins mean in CS2? These skins come from a specific collection dedicated to a Major tournament. Unlike StatTrak skins that track player statistics, souvenir skins feature unique player signatures and are tied to a specific map or match.
Some souvenir skins rank among the most expensive and rarest in the game due to their limited availability and unique designs, obtainable only from a souvenir package. Still wondering, “What is a souvenir skin in CS2?” Don’t worry. We’ve prepped this quick guide to explore these skins and their value for collectors.
Souvenir Skins in Counter-Strike: How Did They Appear?
What does souvenir mean in CS2? To understand the meaning, let’s delve into the history. The first souvenir items emerged during the DreamHack Winter tournament in 2013. It was the only event where players received all souvenirs with just one sticker applied—six normal and six foil stickers available in the package, which could not be obtained by any other means. The popularity of this inaugural collection skyrocketed immediately. Since then, souvenir skins have become integral to the game’s cultural heritage, representing significant historical game events and the memories created during them.
How Do Souvenir Skins in CS Differ from Others?
Souvenir skins commemorate Valve-sponsored Majors and correspond to the type of package you purchase and open. For instance, buying a souvenir collection dedicated to a match on the Mirage map will yield a weapon item adorned in Mirage-specific designs. These decorations evolve over time with map updates; for example, the Mirage StarLadder Berlin 2019 Package leveraged the Original Mirage Collection, while Operation Riptide featured the 2021 Mirage Collection.
It’s important to note that there are no StatTrak souvenir skins. Souvenir skins come with a special tournament-related tag, gold engraving on an item box, and player names highlighted in yellow. Beyond their thematic designs, these Covert skins boast exclusive, high-value gold stickers representing participating teams, players’ autographs, and the events themselves. Each sticker on a souvenir skin in CS2 tells its own story, capturing the unforgettable emotions players experienced during the matches to which a specific collection is dedicated.
Summing up, the CS2 souvenir meaning is the prestige of owning such an item in your inventory.
How to Get Souvenir Skins in CS?
Beyond the question of “What are souvenir skins in CS2?” lies another important question: how can you obtain a souvenir package? Here are some methods:
1) Tokens
Since 2019, one way to get souvenir skins is by purchasing Major Viewer’s tokens in the in-game store. Afterward, you can earn these tokens by completing quests, such as predicting match results.
2) Purchase a Specific Case via Steam
During and after events, the in-game shop displays various available souvenir cases related to matches played on every map. You can choose any cases from concluded matches and receive a few for free, as was the case during the Copenhagen PGL Major 2024, or buy them at an affordable price. The best CS2 souvenir skins can be acquired this way.
3) Buy a Skin from Another Player
If you have a specific skin in mind and it’s available on the market, go for it. Just keep in mind that you can only get shooting weapons as souvenirs—no knives or gloves. Before confirming a transaction, do some due diligence to ensure the seller is reliable.
4) Map Collection Cases
You can also purchase a whole map collection case without knowing exactly which skin you’ll receive when opening it. The rarity of some skins is exceptionally high due to their drop frequency during specific events. For instance, the AWP Dragon Lore souvenir skin, which dropped during one of the major finals, is now one of the rarest and most expensive skins in the game.
5) Buy Souvenir Skins on Third-party Platforms
Numerous trusted online markets sell Counter-Strike game items, including souvenir skins. The event’s rarity also influences the price, so be aware of the difference between items from events like IEM Katowice 2014 packages and more recent Majors like Copenhagen PGL 2024.
Is It Worth Investing in CS2 Souvenir Skins?
Now that we’ve figured out how to get souvenir drops in CS2, let’s take a closer look at the potential investment in these skins. While there is potential for investment, it comes with risks. Despite unique designs, some souvenir skins have low popularity and, consequently, low prices. So, if you’re considering investment options, it’s crucial to factor in the year of the event, the item’s rarity, map popularity, and community sentiment. Some items might not increase in value for some time, especially for recent Majors like Copenhagen. However, if you purchased a case during matches in the Danish arena, consider saving it for later instead of opening it—you might end up with a valuable item!
Players who invested in the best souvenir packages in CS2 have seen significant returns:
- ESL One Cologne 2014 Cobblestone Souvenir Package;
- DreamHack 2014 Cobblestone Souvenir Package;
- Cologne 2016 Cobblestone Souvenir Package;
- Atlanta 2017 Cobblestone Souvenir Package;
- Krakow 2017 Cobblestone Souvenir Package;
- Boston 2018 Cobblestone Souvenir Package.
So, be sure to conduct thorough market research and careful consideration before deciding what to invest in. Buying a package with a discount after an event concludes might allow you to sell it later at a higher price.
The typical ROI level is usually between 30% and 35%. Regardless, the uniqueness and limited edition of CS souvenir skins will attract other investors. Additionally, as time passes after a tournament, the popularity of its souvenir collections usually increases, especially as maps change or get removed from the game’s map pool.
Conclusion
That’s it, folks! Now you know the answer to the question, “What is a souvenir in CS2?” We don’t know about you, but we’ve picked up a few Copenhagen 2024 souvenir Packages to remember this first-ever Major in Counter-Strike 2 forever. You might have also heard about highly sought-after skins like the AWP Desert Hydra, AK-47 Gold Arabesque and Fire Serpent, M4A4 Howl, and M4A1-S Imminent Danger. Just like real-life souvenirs, souvenir skins hold a special place in players’ hearts.
