We recently held a major community stream where we answered your most burning questions. Players from around the world sent in hundreds of messages, and we talked about topics ranging from the remaster and UI improvements to the 2026 winter update, eSports, and changes to the in-game economy.

This has been the hottest topic of discussion for months. It’s true we’ve released less new content lately, but that’s because our focus has been on building a new network infrastructure.

We’ve been working on the remaster for a while now, focusing primarily on the new server architecture. This process is essentially like building the core game from scratch. In fact, every new feature we add to the main game also has to be implemented into the remastered version. Maintaining both versions at the same time has significantly slowed our overall progress.

That’s why we’ve reduced the number of new features in the current game to make sure the remaster’s release is a success.

The client-server feature is currently in active testing. This will have three phases in total, with the first one already underway:

Phase 1: Internal Testing

Our dedicated team of specialized playtesters get their hands on the remastered version and leave feedback

Phase 2: Influencer Preview

Content creators, streamers, and pro players gain access to the remastered version. At this stage, they may share select content with their audiences.

Phase 3: Mass Playtesting

Large-scale testing begins prior to launch. We still haven’t decided if it will be open testing or closed testing, but the goal is to ensure a smooth experience before the official release.

Each stage may last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

The remaster is almost ready, but we don’t have an exact release date yet. It’s unlikely that we’ll launch it by the 2026 winter update or even Season 11, but we’ll keep you updated on new developments and how each testing phase goes.

We’re also giving Standoff 2 a complete visual overhaul. This is an ambitious project that goes far beyond redesigning buttons, and requires carefully planning many interconnected aspects.

We’re actively testing and polishing new technical aspects of the game. That’s right, technical aspects — not just new visual elements.

Here’s what the updated interface brings:

We’d like it to go live before the remastered version drops, but we won’t be ready to release the enhanced UI by the 2026 winter update.

Even though we’re working hard on bringing you the new UI and remaster, we haven’t neglected the 2026 winter update in the current version of the game! It’ll be an exciting one.

The filter will hide obscene nicknames and messages, and block certain words or phrases in chat.

The Workshop is one of the most highly-anticipated features in Standoff 2, both for the devs and the players. We don’t want you to just play the game. We want you to create your own content inside it. Bringing this idea to life is a marathon, not a sprint, and it has several stages.

Initially, we planned to build an entire ecosystem around the Workshop. Currently, the plan is as follows:

Right now, we’re essentially rebuilding the game from the ground up, both technically and visually. Our team is developing a new network architecture from scratch as well as giving the visuals a complete overhaul.

If we released Workshop tools now, we’d have to rebuild them later for the new architecture, doubling our work and delaying the full release. That’s why we're focusing on this approach first:

Step 1. Laying the groundwork for the remastered version and new UI

Step 2. Implementing workshop tools afterward

We’ve deliberately shifted a large part of our team’s focus to the remastered version of the game to speed up its launch and the release of the new interface. It was a difficult but necessary decision, one that will ultimately make the Workshop even more powerful and exciting in the future.

We can’t wait to see the maps, modes, and other incredible features you’ll create. And thanks to the Workshop, you’ll finally be able to play those long-requested maps like Zone 9 or Sakura!

It makes sense in theory, but it doesn’t always work that way in practice. Too many cooks can be a bad thing. We have exactly the team we need, and everyone is working in sync toward the same goal.

This kind of work is a sequential process, fine-tuned for perfection. For example, Team A lays the foundation, Team B builds on it, and Team C handles polishing. To do it right, there’s simply no room for a hasty approach, no matter the team size.

With the core elements of the remaster now complete, we’re concentrating on:

We actively expand our team when the need requires it. You can find all open positions listed on our website.

We don’t plan on bringing it back to the game just yet.

While the Rental Market was a great way for some players to earn Gold, it also created an uneven playing field. That’s why we’d like to focus on introducing game mechanics designed to give everyone equal opportunities to make some Gold on the same terms.

These equal opportunities might be things like:

The Rental Market was an interesting idea, but in practice, it causes more harm than good to economic balance.

Two reasons:

You can still earn your medals, however, but now they’ll be a true mark of skill and dedication.

There are more ways to make Gold now. You can:

Tune in to Major streams on our official Twitch channel to boost your chances of earning valuable items!

For unofficial tournaments, any organizer is welcome to host their own event. You can find the tournament application form on our website. And finding a qualified eSports manager is a straightforward process, too.

For major official series, our primary goal is expanding the audience. This means we’re currently choosing accessibility and broad appeal over structural variety.

Right now, we’re developing new in-game features designed to draw more players into eSports. These will launch after the remastered version of the game is released.

At the moment, we can’t yet confirm when new organizations or LAN tourneys will expand to other cities or regions. This will depend entirely on the growth and popularity of eSports.

Yes, we currently have several games in development.

These are managed by independent teamsnot affiliated with Standoff 2.

The Standoff 2 development team is fully dedicated to Standoff 2. And if additional specialists are needed, we hire them to strengthen the team.

That’s a cool idea, but there’s a catch. Many old maps never enjoyed much popularity.

In fact, Zone 9 and Sakura were only selected in 1–2% of all matches. That’s exactly why we replaced them with similar but more modern alternatives.

We’re not sure if there’s enough player demand for a full classic-themed update.

But hey, here’s the good news: all the old maps will be available in the Workshop once it goes live.

We’ve found a balance between the two.

It offers:

As the Marketplace evolves with more items and smarter traders, older approaches to managing the economy are no longer viable.

That’s why we’ve added new mechanics, including:

Your feedback matters, and it helps us improve the game.

We wanted its release to be symbolic and originally planned to launch version 1.0 during a large-scale event. In the end, our team decided to mark the remastered version as 1.0.

It’ll be a new beginning for the game, powered by its new architecture.

The App Store and Google Play take update verification very seriously. Because of their review processes, you might not see updates available on all platforms at the same time.

A major limitation is that apps cannot access or scan the entire device. This is a strict privacy and security rule.

That’s why our anti-cheat system can’t use the same advanced methods as PC games. Instead, we’re working hard on improving our own systems to detect and prevent cheating in other ways.

We can’t wait to show you more. Our team has hidden a few important and mostly undiscovered story clues in the summer update teaser.

Stay tuned to our socials for all the latest news, because we have more reveals on the way. Rest assured, we’ll share more stories of the original characters you’ve grown to love.

Running tests.

Everyone who works on game updates is also involved in testing. Testing can be challenging because unexpected issues can always arise.

Sometimes, it’s during testing that we realize a feature feels unpolished and needs to be delayed.

It can be frustrating, but it’s the right approach and it boosts the game’s quality in the long run.

Given the current game architecture, it’s impossible.

However, we might implement this mechanic in the remastered version of the game.

Our team wants to lay a solid foundation first, and then we’ll consider looking at the physics.

Yes! Daily login rewards are coming in the 2026 winter update. A pleasant surprise will be waiting for you every time you log in.

The new game’s UI will help us bring a system like that to life.

It’s not a priority feature, though. Our team has some more pressing tasks first.

We’ve been exploring different options. Our goal is to evolve clans into full-fledged communities, featuring:

Our team is already brainstorming aspects of the clan system redesign as part of our broader UI overhaul.

Yes, this is something we can do. And we’re already exploring how to build a system like this. Our team is discussing the best way to integrate it into the game experience.

If we do bring it to life, it’ll likely feel a bit different than a traditional “wear and tear” system.

It all depends on the scale of the mode.

Developing a mode can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months.

Why does it take so long?

We follow a few core rules when designing our maps. For example, it’s crucial that the defending team reaches the bombsite faster than the attackers.

It’s also essential that defenders have enough time to rotate between sites and engage opponents before detonation.

Want to dive deeper? Check out this video to see exactly how we bring our maps to life!

Currently, it’s very unlikely.

Right now, we’re focused on bringing you Standoff 2, version 1.0. And when it launches, it’ll mark a new beginning for the game.

We’ve already discussed a potential collaboration with Faceit.

One of their most appealing features is their powerful anti-cheat system for PC.

Unfortunately, Faceit can’t guarantee the same level of anti-cheat support for mobile devices.

Because of this, we are putting the Faceit integration on hold for the time being.

As for growing our eSports presence, our dedicated team continues to strengthen our ecosystem by hosting more events, improving in-game tools, and supporting various tournament series. We’ll be able to do even more once the remastered version launches, giving us access to new advanced features.

These maps continue to be player favorites due to their popularity, performance, and pick rates.

Since Sandstone and Province are so loved, we have no plans to rework them.

When it comes to weapons, we introduce new guns to expand your arsenal and add more variety to gameplay. It’s true that the game already offers a wide range of weapons, which makes it challenging to design something that feels truly fresh and unique.

That said, we’re always looking for ways to refresh the gameplay. For example, Akimbo Uzi delivers unmatched firepower for an SMG and gives players aggressive new options in close-quarters combat, while Mallard is an affordable but hard-to-master sniper rifle that rewards precision and control.

And speaking of modes and match durations, we carefully monitor how much time players prefer to spend in the game. Using this gameplay data, we tailor updates to match what you enjoy most. So we’ll keep introducing changes that best fit your playstyle.

Unfortunately, we’re not ready to share this information publicly at this time.

Our collaboration roadmap includes both brand partnerships and community-driven projects.

A key part of this second one is the Workshop, because we see it as the main platform where we can create content together. And we can’t wait to share it with you!

A killcam isn’t possible with the game’s current architecture, but it’s a feature we’re planning to implement in the remaster at some point.

Although leaderboards may be a very compelling addition to the game, our primary concern is preventing them from being dominated by cheaters. Our team’s current focus is on strengthening the anti-cheat system. We’re optimistic that the remaster will provide a fairer player environment where we can confidently introduce competitive leaderboards.

Our team is focused on optimizing for mobile devices exclusively. We don’t support or resolve issues related to emulators. Supporting emulators would take a lot of time and effort, as well as create an unfair advantage for PC players. Our core goal has always been delivering the best possible experience for our mobile community.

We’re considering splitting the player pool based on the platform they use. Our team is currently building a tool to make this possible, and we’re carefully studying the potential consequences of this decision, such as how it might affect matchmaking times, fairness, and the experience for emulator users.

In the past two months, we’ve already launched three new servers across different global regions.

We closely monitor server load, and, if needed, we’ll open a second server for Brazil. It’s one of our fastest-growing regions, and we’re dedicated to supporting its growth.

We love this idea and we know how excited the community is about it.

However, to make it happen, we first need to add bots and develop full-fledged tools to control their behavior and advanced PvE logic. Bots will only be introduced after we release Standoff 2 v1.0 and the remastered version.

And once that’s done, we’ll actively explore co-op missions and dive deeper into the lore and stories behind our maps, agents, and skins.

We recently reduced the number of rounds and are still closely monitoring how this change affects gameplay.

If we determine that an adjustment is necessary, we’ll bring back the previous match format!

Yes. Once we release the client-server update, some animations will definitely change. This includes making characters less hunched and ensuring their movement and other animations feel much smoother.

Our team often updates animations out of necessity. When we improve the character skeleton or integrate new network infrastructure, these technical upgrades require animation adjustments. This way everything works correctly.

Our team has noticed this question a lot recently. We’ll definitely let our artists know you're interested, and we’ll ask them to design new Flip knife skins in the near future.

That said, new Flip knife skins won’t be ready in time for the 2026 winter update, since we’ve already prepared other skins for this release.

When designing new content, we don’t focus on a specific gender because the game is meant for everyone.

That’s why we aim to create content that appeals to players of all backgrounds and playstyles. Whether you’re a hardcore or casual player, a collector, a newcomer, or a veteran, there’ll always be something for you.

The client-server update, also known as the remastered version of the game, will introduce features like:

Plus, this update will lay the groundwork for creating entirely new and unique game modes. Once it’s live, we’ll be able to develop and integrate advanced features that simply aren’t possible within the current game architecture.

Yes! Once we transition to the new UI, we'll be able to introduce features like item stacking, item storage, updated filters, and more.

We can’t promise all of these all at once, though. Our team will first need to test the new interface, fix any issues that arise, and then gradually roll out additional inventory features.

Absolutely! We love exploring different world cultures and bringing them to life in the game.

Standoff 2 has already traveled across the globe. So far, we’ve released:

We’re very likely to continue creating updates inspired by the cultures of different regions, including those where our player community is most active.

Our team is fairly large, and many developers prefer to stay out of the spotlight.

That said, you can still get to know some of the faces behind Standoff 2 by tuning into our Standoff 2 Live channel.

We’re already planning clan-focused features coming after the clan system update is released. Though we’re still deciding on the exact format, which may be a tourney or other activity, we can promise new rewarding experiences for clans in the future.

Yes, this feature is already in development.

Absolutely! You’ll see more of these rewards in the upcoming 2026 winter update.

Our dream collaboration always depends on the update’s theme. For the Reforged update (Season 8), Terminator could’ve been a natural fit! And for Kitsune Dreams, anime giants like Attack on Titan or Demon Slayer would’ve worked really well.

Oh yes.

A prime example is the Carnage mode from the Space Vision update.

Our team has a lot of nostalgia for the classic game mechanics that inspired the mode, but the player reception didn’t match our enthusiasm. Because of that, Carnage wasn’t added as a permanent mode.

We learned a lot from this experience. Situations like this help us refine our understanding of what the community enjoys, and we use these insights to make the game even more fun for everyone.