xQc Pulls Ultra-Rare Skeleton Knife in CS2 Loot Box Opening — Odds Were 1 in 2.5 Million
Félix “xQc” Lengyel, one of the most popular video game and casino streamers on Twitch and Kick, struck digital gold on Monday during a live Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) loot box opening. The Canadian streamer stunned fans by unboxing a Skeleton Knife, one of the rarest CS2 skins with an estimated drop rate of 1 in 2,500,000.
xQc Hits Rare CS2 Drop Live On Stream
The unexpected moment unfolded in real time and quickly went viral. xQc took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to share his excitement, highlighting the almost impossible odds. The knife was hidden inside a yellow case, and fans watching the stream were left in disbelief as the prized skin appeared on screen.
According to current secondary market prices, the Skeleton Knife skin could fetch as much as $1,000—though Valve maintains that all in-game items have no real-world value.
Loot Boxes and Gambling Concerns Continue
The streamer’s lucky moment reignites ongoing debates around loot boxes and their connection to gambling. Countries like Belgium and the Netherlands have outright banned loot boxes in video games, citing concerns over underage gambling. Meanwhile, the UK, Australia, and United States continue to explore regulation.
Valve, the developer behind CS2, has faced legal scrutiny over loot box mechanics and the secondary skin gambling market. A previous class-action lawsuit targeted the company for enabling skin-based gambling through third-party sites. In response, Valve issued cease-and-desist letters, but unregulated black markets for skins still persist today.
The Business Behind Loot Boxes
Despite the controversy, loot boxes remain a lucrative revenue stream. In 2023 alone, players spent over $1 billion on loot boxes in Valve’s ecosystem. Critics warn that the mechanic resembles behavioral gambling, especially among younger audiences.
xQc’s incredible luck may have delighted fans, but it also highlights the ongoing conversation about video game monetization, digital gambling, and the blurred line between the two.