Core Insights - The recent update by Valve Corporation (V社) has significantly impacted the virtual item trading market, particularly affecting the prices of rare items like knife skins and gloves in CS2, leading to a market crash for high-value items [2][5][16] - The update allows players to combine five ordinary red-quality weapon skins to create a knife or glove, breaking the monopoly of random box openings for acquiring these rare items, thus increasing their potential supply in the market [3][12] Market Dynamics - The CS2 item market operates on a consensus-driven model where the value of items is primarily derived from their rarity and unique appearance, with the lowest drop rate for rare items being approximately 0.26% [3][6] - The introduction of the new crafting system has disrupted the established market logic, leading to a collapse in the prices of previously high-value items, while simultaneously causing a surge in the prices of the crafting materials (ordinary red-quality skins) [5][12] Community Reactions - Following the update, many players who had invested heavily in high-priced items expressed their frustration and regret, with reports of significant financial losses circulating on social media [5][6] - The update has prompted a shift in player engagement, with more ordinary players participating in the crafting process, aligning with Valve's goal of making the game more accessible [16] Historical Context - The volatility of the CS2 item market has been a recurring theme, with past events like the "Black Egg" incident illustrating the risks associated with speculative trading in virtual items [6][9] - Similar speculative behaviors have been observed in other virtual markets, such as the "Banana" game, where the value of items became detached from their functional use, highlighting the speculative nature of these markets [11][12] Regulatory Implications - Valve's intervention through the crafting update reflects a broader trend of game developers needing to balance market vitality with the control of speculative risks, aiming to return the focus to the gaming experience rather than purely financial speculation [12][16] - The introduction of a trading protection period prior to the update was an attempt to mitigate short-term speculation and promote more rational trading behaviors among players [14][16]