Best CS2 and CS:GO Books and Documentaries — Updated October 2025

From CS:GO classics to contemporary CS2 releases, this list compiles what's worth watching or reading now. Everything here is essential year, runtime or page count, language, and where to legally get these resources.

Editors' picks (Top 6)

If you would rather not browse through everything, begin with these six standouts: 

1. First Person Shooter: A detailed and startlingly realistic representation of gaming culture that follows the growth of Counter-Strike in the United States.
2. CS:GO Documentary Powered by HyperX: Despite appearing to be an obsolete demo file, this documentary provides a mid-2010s snapshot of NaVi, Fnatic, and the early tournament atmosphere.
3. G4M3RS: The documentary is primitive yet interesting in its depictions of LAN cafes, clunky PCs, and teams attempting to define esports.
4. Good luck! Have fun! By Roland Li:  This easy introduction to CS2 explains esports without using jargon, making it useful for newbies.
5. How to Become a Professional Gamer by Michael Diver:  Although some of the background is outdated, Fnatic's experience serves as a case study for turning gaming into a career, providing readers with structural lessons.
6. Contrary. Path to Victory, by Daniil "Zeus" Teslenko: The ideas presented in Zeus's CS:GO book about leadership and in-game leaders (IGL) are still useful for anyone creating a CS2 team. 

Documentaries and Films

Discover some excellent choices for your viewing pleasure. This section highlights notable films and documentaries about CS2, sorted by the CS:GO and CS2 eras. 

CS:GO-Era 

• Type: Documentary
• Year: 2014
• Runtime: 45 minutes
• Languages: English and Russian subtitles.
• Synopsis: Tournament highlights and team interviews, with a focus on NaVi and Fnatic. A polished, sponsor-supported work from its period.
• Best for fans of mid-2010s Counter-Strike.
• Where to watch: YouTube's HyperX official channel
• Editor's note: This is a quick read but well worth revisiting.

• Type: Documentary.
• Year: 2003
• Runtime: 55 minutes
• Language: ENG.
• Synopsis: Early esports coverage of amateur U.S. teams and families. LAN cafés, team scrims, a look inside the scene before it became popular.
• Best for: Historians and enthusiasts of esports' difficult beginnings.
• Where to watch: PBS Archive.

• Type: Documentary
• Year: 2022
• Runtime: 100 minutes
• Language: ENG.
• Synopsis: A comprehensive study into gaming culture, including chapters on competitive shooters. Not only does it include Counter-Strike, but it also nicely illustrates the game's ascent.
• Best for: Anyone seeking background beyond Counter-Strike.
• Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video.

CS2-Era

As of October 2025, there are just a few specialized CS2 films, most of which are produced by event organizers. There is no full-length Netflix-level release yet.

• Type: Documentary (short)
• Year: 2023
• Runtime: 25 minutes.
• Language: ENG.
• Synopsis: Produced by Blast Premier. Covers the transition from CS:GO to CS2, including player interviews and production insights.
• Best for: Current players and experts following the technological advance.
• Where to watch: Blast Premier's official YouTube channel. 

• Type: Documentary (Event recap)
• Year: 2024
• Runtime: 40 min.
• Languages: English with German subtitles.
• Synopsis: ESL produced a recap of Cologne 2024, which is coincidentally one of the first major CS2 events. The recap includes behind-the-scenes and stage footage.
• Best for: Live event enthusiasts.
• Where to watch: ESL Gaming YouTube Channel.

Books

With the growth of esports into the mainstream, literature centered around games like CS2 has also grown in popularity. Here are some good picks for those looking for an enjoyable read on CS2.

Good luck! Have fun! By Roland Li

• Type: Book
• Year: 2016
• Length: 288 pages.
• Language: ENG.
• Synopsis: The book describes the rise of esports, particularly CS:GO, in the mainstream media.
• Best for: Beginners and casual fans.
• Where to read: Penguin Random House.
• Actionable takeaway: Esports did not emerge immediately; rather, it evolved in messy phases.

How to Be a Professional Gamer by Michael Diver (with Fnatic)

• Type: Book
• Year: 2016
• Length: 224 pages
• Language: ENG
• Synopsis: An industry overview utilizing Fnatic's expertise as a foundation. Discusses contracts, team culture, and media.
• Best for: Career-oriented readers
• Where to read: Bloomsbury.
• Actionable takeaway: The framework of professional play (organizations, contracts, branding) is just as important as raw talent.

Contrary. Path of Victory by Daniil "Zeus" Teslenko

• Type: Book (memoir)
• Year: 2019
• Length: 320 pages
• Languages: Russian, English translation
• Synopsis: The NaVi and Gambit captain reflects on his CS:GO career, team problems, and leadership lessons.
• Best for: IGLs, team leaders, and followers of NaVi's heritage.
• Where to read: Zeus Official Store.
• Actionable takeaway: A team's survival is dependent on leadership rather than sheer skill.

How We Picked

We selected books ad documentaries based on:

• Credibility: Official publications from respected publishers.
• Relevance: Clearly related to CS:GO history or the CS2 transfer.
• Production quality: Not every camera angle has aged well, but we avoided half-finished uploads.
• Availability: Only resources that are legal to watch or purchase today.
• Educational value: Resources contain information regarding Counter-Strike gaming, the industry, or the culture surrounding it.

FAQ

1. Where can I watch CS:GO and CS2 documentaries legally?

   Most official releases are available on YouTube via ESL, Blast, or HyperX. Broader documentaries, such as First Person Shooter, are available on Netflix and Prime.

2. Are there any CS2-specific documentaries yet?

   There are currently only short-form or event-specific documentaries available. Major studios have yet to make a full-length worldwide CS2 documentary.

3. I am new to Counter-Strike. What should I read first?

   Begin with Roland Li's Good Luck! Have fun! It's user-friendly and provides a broader esports background.

4. Do game updates make books outdated?

   Gameplay references fade rapidly, while cultural and leadership lessons (as in Zeus' memoir) stay relevant.

5. Are these resources accessible worldwide?

   No. Streaming rights vary. ESL and Blast programming is often worldwide, while Netflix/Prime availability varies per area.

6. Are there translations or audio versions available?

   Yes. Contrary. Path to Victory has been translated into English, and most popular esports books are available as audiobooks.