10th Birthday of CS:GO: how did the history of the best shooter begin

The history of the CS:GO game begins with the official announcement of the game on August 12, 2011. The developer of the latest version of Counter-Strike has remained the same - Valve. They promised to keep the original gameplay from Counter-Strike 1.6, keep the classic map set, and add brand new multiplayer. The initial release date of the shooter was set at the beginning of 2012. The developers said the game should be released on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

How it all began

On August 15, 2011, other news regarding the game appeared: it became known that the Hidden Path Entertainment studio, cooperating with Valve, intends to deal with updates for Counter-Strike: Source after the release of Global Offensive (in parallel with the updates of Global Offensive), details about some details appeared gameplay (for example, the monetary system has been completely redesigned, new explosive items have occurred - a Molotov cocktail and a false grenade that imitates gunshots, confusing the enemy).

After the first announcement, there was news that Valve invited the best pro-players to beta testing. One of them described the new game as "extremely gorgeous" and confirmed that CS:GO uses the latest version of the Source engine. According to the tester, the game is a working version but looks better than many already completed projects. 

On August 26, 2011, the first official trailer of the game was released, which showed a great graph and gameplay, including a buy menu, new cards, and equipment items. Arsenal: Demolition and Arsenal: Arms Race modes, which are present in Counter-Strike: Source, will also be in the new CS:GO. This became known on September 22, 2011. Valve also announced that the game's PC version would not differ from the console version.

On September 6, 2011, it became known that Counter-Strike: Global Offensive would be presented at the game exhibition "IgroMir 2011". The exhibition will be the first in the world to show the game's PC version.

On June 4, 2012, Valve at E3 announced the release date for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, which is scheduled for August 21, 2012, and the price for all platforms is $14.99.

On August 8, 2012, the game became available for pre-order on the Steam Digital Platform. It was also announced that open beta testing would start on August 14. However, it will be available to those who took advantage of the pre-order of the game and purchased it before the official release.

On August 15, 2012, Valve posted the complete beta test statistics from December 1, 2011, to August 15, 2012. On August 16, 2012, it became known that everyone who pre-ordered Counter-Strike: Global Offensive would receive an item from Team Fortress 2 as a gift. This item is a sniper weapon made in the form of an AWP. Elephant Fighter in the highest quality has already been received by everyone who pre-ordered CS:GO on Steam before August 21. On August 21, 2012, the game was released on Steam. On the same day, the first update was released.

Gameplay

Counter-Strike has significantly changed Half-Life mode, and upgraded version CS:GO changed the C line. Changes involved: economy, maps balance, shooting, bugs, models of personality, more guns, improved bullet penetration through some walls, materials, and objects. Radio commands for bots and players have been updated (recently, radio commands have been removed, and it is no longer possible for bots to give commands), among other changes, etc.

The economy: ammunition no longer needs to be bought. In addition to the graphical updates, the HUD, crosshair, and VGUI shopping menu have been updated. The game has a Competitive Matchmaking system based on ELO ranks and titles. The game only supports dedicated servers on PC and Mac. Leaderboards were included in the original release but were cut in an update on February 17, 2016. 

Weapons and equipment

Added 8 new weapons to the Global Offensive. There are also modified weapons and old ones. Changed the weapon's characteristics, fire speed, and movement.

Global Offensive contains several multiplayer game modes:

1. Casual and competitive mode. The competitive mode differs from the usual one only in terms of the selection system of players and the method of ranks.
2. Bomb planting. Terrorists must plant C4 on one of the two bomb sites, defend the planted bomb from SWAT, and eliminate all SWAT; the special forces must prevent the terrorists from planting the bomb, demining the bomb, and eliminating all the terrorists.
3. Hostage Rescue. SWAT must save hostages, eliminate all terrorists, terrorists must protect hostages from SWAT, and eliminate all SWAT.
4. Arms Race. Kill enemies with different weapons, reach the last level with Golden Knife and win the match.
5. Demolition. Combines the normal Bomb Planting mode and the Arms Race. In this mode, you can not buy items, weapons are upgraded only with the help of kills, and there is only one point on the map for planting a bomb.
6. Flying Scoutsman. Gravity is lowered, and all players have SSG 08 with high accuracy.
7. Deathmatch. Kill enemies, and get points for each kill. The winner will be the one with the most points.
8. Wingman. 2v2 matches in shortened versions of Bomb Plant maps.
9. The presence of cosmetics like weapon skins, graffitis, and stickers have been a staple of CS: GO since its early days. It allows players to customize their inventory while allowing Valve to keep investing in the game’s longevity and esports ecosystem.

To celebrate CS: GO‘s upcoming 10th birthday, the developer launched a collection of 65 stickers made by the community. You can buy the sticker capsule directly from CS: GO‘s a menu or buy your favorite ones via Steam Market. Except all, a single-player game with bots is available, which offers the same modes, but with extraordinary artificial intelligence and briefing - a map for one person created for the education and training of the player.

10-Year Birthday Sticker Capsule - Complete information about all CS: GO sticker

In honor of this event, the developers added the Tuscan map to the game, which many people remember from the cult Counter Strike 1.6. Valve also brought Anubis and Breach back into ranked matchmaking. You can try it in all game modes.

Additionally, a capsule containing 60 Community Stickers can now be purchased from the in-game store. An animated sticker with Lenticular quality also appeared there. And users with Prime status are waiting for a unique coin that can be picked up until August 22. Valve has released the statistic that CS:GO is gaining popularity: last year, more than 20 million players a month entered the game. In general, CS:GO is not going to stop on achievement. Players are waiting for the next game anniversary but hope that valve will show and upgrade CS to a new level.

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