I’m trying to decide whether to invest in CS2 skins the same way I did in CS:GO. With all the changes to the market, engine, and overall player base, I’m not sure if it’s worth it. Do you guys still trade and invest or is it just for fun now? I don’t want to put money into something unstable.

Depends what you're aiming for—profit or collecting. The market is definitely more volatile now.

Value retention is still strong for most high-tier CS2 skins, especially knives and gloves. The visual update gave some older skins a new shine, which actually increased demand for certain patterns cs2 wiki highlights which skins saw the most value change since the transition. That said, the market reacts faster now—new cases, streamer trends, or even minor patches can shift prices overnight. Long-term holding still works if you focus on limited releases or discontinued collections. For short-term flipping, stay active in forums and watch community sentiment. Just avoid overpaying in hype moments. Treat it like a hybrid between investing and gaming fun.

Good points about the market side. But do skins actually make the game more fun for you or is it mainly about collecting and value at this point?

Bit of both honestly. The collecting part is fun but I play more because my skins look cool. Read something at https://1883magazine.com/the-intersection-of-fashion-and-gaming-how-skins-are-revolutionizing-the-industry/ about how skins changed gaming culture. Not affiliated with them. It explains how customization became part of the gaming experience now. When I'm using a knife skin I like, it just feels better even though it doesn't change gameplay. My friends feel the same way. We compare loadouts before matches and joke about who has better inventory. The value stuff is interesting but mostly I just want my character to look good. Started playing more Valorant recently and same thing there. Skins make games more personal