How Pricing Works in Genesis Terminal? CS2 New Skins Review
The new item has been in the game for several days now, but discussions about it still haven’t died down. The unusual item acquisition mechanics, quite controversial skin designs in the collection, and complete confusion about pricing have stirred up the community too much. In this article, we’ll break down the main nuances of Genesis Terminal pricing formation, talk about the community’s reaction, and review the best items that were honored to appear in VALVE’s latest release.
How is pricing formed in Genesis Terminal?
Genesis Terminal can be obtained in weekly drops or purchased on the trading platform (currently costs around $8). Opening it doesn’t require a key – it’s completely free. After launching the “terminal,” you’ll receive up to five purchase offers for skins until you either buy or definitively refuse all lots. To take an item, you need to pay the offered price, but prices vary even for the same item. Why? Let us explain.
Terminal prices are dynamic: they depend on demand. If many players buy a skin (for example, Classified AK-47 | The Oligarch), its price rises like at an auction. If they ignore it – it falls to attract interest and increase demand. VALVE confirmed this in the September 18, 2025 update, stating that the algorithm adjusts pricing in real-time based on purchases worldwide.
Price differences for the same skin are also explained by the float value (skin quality, for example, Battle-Scarred or Factory New). Therefore, be careful and pay attention to this indicator as well.
What bothers players?
Of course, the mechanic where you have to pay for your “luck” doesn’t appeal much to players. That is, when a rare item drops or simply one that you find appealing – developers play on your feelings and “bait” you into buying. Moreover, VALVE kindly gives you a whole three days to think it over, or rather to “find funds for the purchase.” The internet immediately started spreading scenarios where people would begin selling their inventories, urgently looking for money to top up their Steam balance, or even pulling off fraudulent schemes.
It turns out that VALVE wanted to create a transparent scheme without pitfalls, but it turned out that morally or even psychologically they created an even more gambling-oriented mechanic. We partially agree with such conclusions, but if you look at the collection’s skins, you won’t find anything particularly impressive. It seems to us that this isn’t accidental and the developers are simply testing the waters. The terminal didn’t feature new knives or any bright, catchy models, and this fact became another negative aspect of Genesis Terminal.
Genesis Terminal Collection Skins Review
Glock-18 | Mirror Mosaic
Mirror Mosaic seems to be one of the most unusual and genuinely interesting skins of the entire collection. A mesmerizing kaleidoscope of mirror triangles shimmering with silver and purple hues creates the feeling that the weapon is assembled from spaceship fragments. Geometric patterns on the barrel and slide create an illusion of endless reflections, which looks extremely effective when sunlight hits it. At an angle, you can notice barely distinguishable engravings of stardust on each triangle, hinting at origins from the depths of space.
AK-47 | The Oligarch
The most expensive skin of the collection, which has a somewhat classic “real wear” effect on the body materials. In Factory New condition, the skin shines from the slightest glare, and as the float increases, it begins to wear away and a corrosion effect appears on the metal. The design itself tries to turn the AK-47 into an embodiment of luxury: a gold base combines with white and black accents reminiscent of marble columns of an elite mansion. A miniature coat of arms is hidden on the stock, visible only with careful examination, adding a note of historical grandeur.
MAC-10 | Cat Fight
Cat Fight is an explosive mix of street art and Eastern motifs. The body is covered with bright blue and yellow gradients, featuring an image of a snarling cat whose gaze on the barrel looks very realistic, like a freeze-frame from a cartoon. The bolt is decorated with hieroglyphs, and the MAC-10 strap gives off a street, wandering vibe. The design with its dynamic art looks quite attractive, but the pale colors absolutely don’t stand out, which makes it simply lost and becomes a pale shadow of excellent execution.
Dual Berettas | Angel Eyes
Angel Eyes for Dual Berettas is a futuristic interpretation of mystical themes. On the metal body with pearlescent finish, glass elements resembling medical test tubes are placed, and the grips shine with eye-like elements reminiscent of precious gems. The design with its mysterious shine and symmetry looks like a weapon from another universe with an aura of mystery that only the chosen ones will solve.
MP7 | Smoking Kills
The brightest and most noticeable skin of the entire collection, but unfortunately on the completely undemanded MP7. Smoking Kills is familiar cyberpunk art featuring a girl and a smoking cigarette on the body. Blue and purple gradients intertwine with abstract lines, and the magazine is decorated with the inscription “Burn Out.” A tiny skull is hidden on the barrel, noticeable only at an angle, adding a dark accent. The design with neon shine and rebellious vibe feels like another embodiment of street freedom.
Nova | Ocular
Ocular is a visual ode to multiple gazes, somewhat reminiscent of FAMAS | Rapid Eye Movement. The shotgun body is covered with an abstract pattern of eyes rendered in blue and green tones, with smooth transitions reminiscent of ocean waves. The barrel is decorated with relief texture, and miniature faces are hidden on the stock, blending with the background. Interesting detail: when rotating the weapon, you can notice how the eyes seem to follow you, creating the feeling of a living artifact. The design with its mysterious depth and smooth lines looks like an echo of ancient legends.
M4A4 | Full Throttle
The second Classified item of the collection, which in our opinion turned out somewhat controversial. Full Throttle undoubtedly radiates a lot of energy due to its extremely bright and even slightly toxic green color. The body is decorated with black flames in the form of metal stickers used to decorate sports cars from street racing. Various accents on the barrel and magazine in the form of inscriptions strengthen this “DIY custom” vibe. Interesting detail: red dots on the handguard glow in dark areas of the map, like brake lights. The design with its aggressive vibe still looks somewhat outdated and irrelevant for a 2025 novelty.
AWP | Ice Coaled
You’re already perfectly familiar with this collection, and Ice Coaled for AWP is quite a worthy successor to the similar AK-47. The body is rendered in blue and green gradients, with a texture reminiscent of cracked ice. The barrel is decorated with a pattern similar to frozen drops, and the scope is surrounded by glowing lines like the northern lights.
M4A1-S | Liquidation
The Liquidation body is covered with a gradient from deep blue to purple, with an effect as if the metal is melting under pressure. The barrel is decorated with thin lines resembling mercury drops, and the suppressor adds an industrial accent. On the magazine, you can make out barely noticeable waves creating an illusion of movement. The design with its flowing elegance and dark shine looks like another “weapon of the future” from this collection.
Author: Alex
Alex is an author and esports observer with more than seven years of experience. He specializes in analyzing new releases in the world of computer games, gaming services, and in-game economies. Alex shares practical experience and an expert perspective on the development of gaming, helping readers understand complex mechanics and stay up to date with the latest news.
