Official Steam servers assign a unique, permanent SteamID based on a user's account credentials. Non-Steam emulators generate a hardware-based or IP-based SteamID (often prefixed with STEAM_ID_LAN or VALVE_ID_LAN ).
Most modern Non-Steam clients run on Protocol 48, which is the same engine protocol used by the official Steam version. This ensures that Non-Steam players can join "dual-protocol" servers that accept both official and emulated clients. non steam cs 1.6
However, Valve has historically taken a passive approach toward the CS 1.6 Non-Steam ecosystem. The community builds have acted as a massive historical preservation tool, keeping the game alive in regions where digital purchasing power is low, such as parts of Eastern Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia. Many players who started on Non-Steam clients eventually transition to purchasing official Valve titles later in life. Official Steam servers assign a unique, permanent SteamID
With the release of Counter-Strike 2 , Valve has no incentive to update CS 1.6. This means the Non-Steam scene will likely outlive the official version. This ensures that Non-Steam players can join "dual-protocol"