Valve replaces case openings with "X-Ray Scanner" in Germany

Through a post on X, the official Valve handle announced that starting 16th March 2026, players in Germany can no longer open Counter-Strike 2 cases the old-fashioned way. They will instead be required to go down the "X-Ray Scanner" route where the scanner reveals the item inside the case and players have the option to claim that item for the price of regular Counter-Strike 2 case key.

However, a scanned item is hardcoded into the scanner until claimed, meaning which a player cannot open/scan another case until the previously scanned skin has been claimed for the price of a regular Counter-Strike 2 case key. The concept was first introduced in France as Valve's response to tightening guidelines and regulations around online gambling. The X-Ray Scanner comes with a one-time exclusive non-tradable item- The P250 | X-Ray, which must be claimed in order to use the X-Ray Scanner.

While some saw this as a welcome change, others criticized Valve for continuing on the online gambling track with a new disguise and most of the community passed humorous comments towards OhnePixel, a German Counter-Strike streamer widely known for opening ridiculous amounts of Counter-Strike cases.