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Two years after Hydra, when is the next CSGO operation? Counter-Strike Two years after Hydra, when is the next CSGO operation? By M Alzamora Valve eyeing RFRSH, Astralis with new CSGO Major rule change Counter-Strike Valve eyeing RFRSH, Astralis with new CSGO Major rule change By M Alzamora GeT_RiGhT and SicK are among the top CSGO free agents Counter-Strike GeT_RiGhT and SicK are among the top CSGO free agents By M Alzamora
The most useful console commands to customize CSGO settings Counter-Strike
The most useful console commands to customize CSGO settings M Alzamora Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s Source Engine is ancient by programming standards, but its console still gives users a surprising amount of control over their gaming experience. CSGO’s console allows users to enter commands that affect the way the game behaves. For example, users can adjust the volume of game sounds with the console command “volume” or clear bullet holes and blood from walls using “r_cleardecals.” Not all commands work on every …
BIG Academy, Swole Patrol impress in WINNERS League Week 3 Counter-Strike
BIG Academy, Swole Patrol impress in WINNERS League Week 3 M Alzamora WINNERS League Season 3’s third week was a showcase for some of the stronger teams in the invite divisions. Things calmed down after last week’s upsets, with the only outlier being a Team Queso upset over Team LDLC. ESuba started strong on Mirage, building up a solid 5-1 lead before allowing BIG Academy to storm back and take the half 8-7. They carried the comeback mentality into the second half, only allowing …
The best CSGO launch commands that everyone should be using Counter-Strike
The best CSGO launch commands that everyone should be using M Alzamora Counter-Strike: Global Offensive gives players many ways to customize their game experience. When someone is looking for a way to increase FPS or improve the game’s textures, they’ll normally look to the game settings menu or console, but there’s actually a third “Launch Options” tool for changing CSGO settings located in the Steam client. Launch options are short commands that tell CSGO what to do when the game opens. For …
CSGO is Steam’s most-played game in October, beating Dota 2 and PUBG Counter-Strike
CSGO is Steam’s most-played game in October, beating Dota 2 and PUBG gabhernandez For the first time ever, Counter Strike:Global Offensive enjoyed the highest monthly average player count of any game on Steam, bringing in more players than PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Dota 2. Those numbers come from Steam Charts, which has CSGO and Dota 2 trading the daily lead back and forth. CSGO first started peaking above Dota 2 in September, but has started to regularly stand above its rival esports title of …
Amid rumored return, the history of CSGO map de_tuscan Counter-Strike Amid rumored return, the history of CSGO map de_tuscan By M Alzamora Chaos Esports Club returns to CSGO with Ben’s Anime Team, steel Counter-Strike Chaos Esports Club returns to CSGO with Ben’s Anime Team, steel By Steven Rondina Astralis demolish 100 Thieves, win IEM XIV Beijing Counter-Strike Astralis demolish 100 Thieves, win IEM XIV Beijing By M Alzamora
This is how the Krieg became the best weapon in CSGO News
This is how the Krieg became the best weapon in CSGO M Alzamora Counter-Strike: Global Offensive pro players are calling for the SG-553’s immediate nerf, and there’s a story behind how the controversial weapon became this strong. On October 9, 2018, Valve released a CSGO update that introduced a new economy system and price changes for several weapons. The development team reduced the price of the CT-only AUG from $3300 to $3150. The T equivalent, the SG 553, was also lowered in price …
CLG announces missharvey as new director of esports outreach Counter-Strike
CLG announces missharvey as new director of esports outreach Olivia Richman Counter Logic Gaming has announced that retired Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Stephanie “missharvey” Harvey will be the organization’s director of esports franchise development and outreach. According to a press release, this was a role created for missharvey, where the former CLG Red player would focus on engaging with the female esports community. The goal is to inspire “inclusivity-focused esports programming.” Dan Fleeter, CLG’s COO, called missharvey a “legend in the esports …
CLG Red, Tenerife Titans shine in WINNERS League Season 3 Counter-Strike
CLG Red, Tenerife Titans shine in WINNERS League Season 3 M Alzamora Upsets and comebacks were the name of the game during week two of WINNERS League Season 3, as a few fresh faces made their debut. This week, CLG Red takes WIN.gg’s Team of the Week honors with their upset win over Whatever It Takes. Fans were also treated to a first look at the new versions of the Tenerife Titans and Team Singularity. While last week’s games largely went as …
poizon and k0nfig complete new Complexity CSGO roster Counter-Strike
poizon and k0nfig complete new Complexity CSGO roster M Alzamora Valentin “poizon” Vasilev and Kristian “k0nfig” Wienecke will join Owen “oBo” Schlatter, William “RUSH” Wierzba and Benjamin “blameF” Bremer in Complexity’s newly revamped lineup.  After weeks of rumors, Complexity announced that Valentin “poizon” Vasilev and Kristian “k0nfig” Wienecke would be the final two members of its overhauled CSGO lineup. The announcement completes the roster rebuild the team began after finishing poorly at the StarLadder Berlin Major Championship in late August. …
Cloud9, TSM, FaZe Clan, NRG among most valuable esports teams Steven Rondina Counter-Strike The business end of the esports world has been a hot topic of late. It always has been, given the sheer number of celebrity investors jumping into the fray including rapper Drake investing millions in 100 Thieves and NBA star Jonas Jerebko buying Renegades. An explosive piece from Kotaku about the “esports bubble” alongside some harsh statements by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had many wondering whether there was any …
Grand Slam continues with EG and Astralis at IEM Beijing M Alzamora Counter-Strike Counter-Strike: Global Offensive returns to China this week with the Intel Extreme Masters Beijing, and another tournament means another chance for CSGO’s top teams to continue to dominate the competition. IEM Beijing has an interesting assortment of teams in attendance. There are the four European teams in Astralis, ENCE, FaZe Clan, and Team Vitality. Rounding out the list is the new North American 100 Thieves squad signed away from Renegades …
shroud says more streamers to leave Twitch as streaming changes Olivia Richman Counter-Strike When Tyler “Ninja” Blevins made the move to Mixer in August of 2019, fellow streamer Michael “shroud” Grzesiek had described the transition as “the best move he ever made.” And it appears that shroud meant it, because the former Counter-Strike: Global Offensive pro decided to leave Twitch himself at the end of October.  On November 4, Jack “CouRage” Dunlop announced that he would be streaming on YouTube instead of Twitch, and shroud …
Gen.G reportedly targeting Autimatic, daps for new CSGO team M Alzamora Counter-Strike Reports are swirling that Gen.G is looking to enter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive esports and that the organization wants to make that a reality by signing players from CR4ZY and Cloud9. According to dbltap.com, Gen.G is actively pursuing Cloud9’s Timothy “autimatic” Ta and Damian “daps” Steele. The report also mentions that Gen.G has been in talks with Georgi “SHiPZ” Grigorov of CR4ZY. For Cloud9, the moves make little sense from the …
Astralis wins wild, wacky BLAST Stand-Off against Natus Vincere M Alzamora Counter-Strike Astralis may not have won BLAST Pro Series Copenhagen, but they did come out on top of the BLAST Stand-Off showmatch. The showmatch is an honored tradition of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournaments, with most major organizers hosting an exhibition match featuring professional players, casters, and local favorites. These normally take the form of best-of-ones on standard maps, but BLAST Pro Series has found a different format. Instead of patchwork teams …
s1mple leaks location of next CSGO major in video with Neymar Steven Rondina Counter-Strike Details have been scarce regarding the next Counter-Strike: Global Offensive major, but a big detail may have just been leaked. According to Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, the next major will take place in Brazil. The Natus Vincere star let it slip during an Instagram video with soccer star Neymar. “There’s some info, that next major will be in Brazil. I hope you will go and enjoy it,” s1mple said. Though the …
Semmler is unimpressed with the state of pro CSGO M Alzamora Counter-Strike Recently returned Counter-Strike: Global Offensive caster Auguste “Semmler” Massonnat commented on the current state of the CSGO scene, and he isn’t pleased with what teams are showing him. In an interview with HLTV, Semmler made it clear that he believes that CSGO players and tactics should be much farther along than they currently are. Semmler moved from CSGO casting to a permanent position at Activision Blizzard, where he now casts …
FaZe Clan win BLAST Pro Series Copenhagen thanks to NiP throws M Alzamora Counter-Strike FaZe Clan defeated Ninjas in Pyjamas at BLAST Pro Series Copenhagen 2-0 to take first place at the event. Few thought that the BLAST Copenhagen finals would include either the Ninjas in Pyjamas or FaZe Clan given their rocky runs of late, often looking decent but not up to scratch with their competitive prime. Copenhagen proved to be a different story for both rosters. NiP and FaZe booked their tickets to …
s1mple reportedly signs new deal, staying with Na’Vi through 2020 M Alzamora Counter-Strike Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev has reportedly renewed his contract with Natus Vincere’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team. According to dbltap.com, Na`Vi’s star CSGO player has reportedly signed a new deal that will keep him with the Ukrainian esports organization through December 2020. s1mple originally signed with the organization in August 2016 after a stint with Team Liquid. The reported signing keeps one of CSGO’s best players with Na`Vi for at least another …
EG, Astralis, Liquid, Fnatic all set for ECS Season 8 Finals M Alzamora Counter-Strike Evil Geniuses and Astralis are two of the eight elite teams set to face off against each other at the FACEIT ECS Season 8 Finals in Arlington, Texas. AVANAGAR, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Astralis, Fnatic, Sharks Esports, Evil Geniuses, Team Liquid, and MIBR are all locked in for the finals after ECS’ five-week circuit. The series started in September with each region slowly locking in teams for the live finals in …
Astralis and Team Liquid headline ESL Pro League final teams M Alzamora Counter-Strike ESL has announced the second round of groups across all four Pro League regions. Round two will will determine the final eight spots at the ESL Pro League Finals in Odense for the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceana Four teams from both Europe and the Americas already have their slots secured for the finals. The second set of eight teams will include four more teams from Europe, along with two …
CSGO key update likely to shake up the entire Steam economy Nina Forneloza Counter-Strike The latest Counter-Strike: Global Offensive patch targeted third-party services that trade skins and keys, but everyone that uses Steam will likely feel its effects. Within CSGO, keys can be purchased to open loot boxes that may contain valuable skins. That inherent value made keys the most liquid asset within the larger Steam marketplace, transforming them into something of a currency. This CSGO update ended players’ ability to trade or resell …

Counter-Strike has long been among the biggest titles in esports and competitive gaming, even going back to esports’ deepest roots from decades past. What’s more, the game continues going strong today, with developer and publisher Valve releasing the latest iteration of the franchise in 2023. The newest version, Counter-Strike 2, has not been without its issues. But its popularity continues the enduring prominence of the Counter-Strike series, signaling that the venerated franchise is likely here to stay for many years yet to come.

But how did the franchise come be to so prominent in the esports space, and role does CS2 have to play in the industry moving forward?

Counter-Strike has roots in the beginnings of esports

Counter-Strike was unquestionably one of the biggest drivers of what we would today consider to be early professional esports movement. It was far from alone, and it wasn’t the most advanced. That likely was StarCraft: Brood War, a real-time strategy game from famed developer Blizzard that caught on in South Korea and led to a professional scene in the country well ahead of any examples of esports industry elsewhere in the world.

But outside of Korea, Counter-Strike quickly became the driving force behind competitive gaming and esports. First released in 1999 as a modification for popular first-person shooter Half-Life, the game was easy to pick up and play for many gamers. Half-Life was borderline ubiquitous software for gamers with a PC, and adding a mod to it was as simple as downloading and applying said mod. So it was that Counter-Strike began to catch fire and spread across the world.

As it spread, so too did its competitive play. Early competitions often centered around online play, most prominently including the Cyberathlete Amateur League (CAL) in North America and the Clanbase Eurocup in Europe. But live, in-person tournaments, similar to those enjoyed by StarCraft players and fans in Korea, were also rising in prominence.

Within just a few years, there were a number of major annual tournaments being held for the original version of Counter-Strike. Notable international tournament organizers included the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) in the United States, the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) in France, and the World Cyber Games (WCG) in Korea. This was in addition to many other regional tournaments through which teams could test their mettle and battle over smaller prizes.

But even at bigger tournaments, prizes weren’t what they are today, and in general there was far less money available to professional Counter-Strike players than there is in today’s thriving esports industry which sees many players and teams playing at the full-time pro level. That’s a far cry from a time when perhaps a small handful of players were able to make a true living through playing CS alone, and even them, it was often a modest one.

Counter-Strike 2 at the fore of a bigger esports scene than ever before

Counter-Strike 2 was released to a far different esports space than that which the original Counter-Strike occupied. But what exactly is it that has changed the scene so much, besides the accrual of years?

Esports betting is at the top of the list. The sports betting industry is growing and expanding around the world each and every year, and esports has absolutely been a part of that. As esports betting continues to grow and thrive, it brings its benefits to the games that are being bet on. And Counter-Strike 2 is at the top of that list.

These benefits have arrived through a myriad of means. Fan interest in tournaments has gone up and become more consistent with betting markets available for each and every game played, which further incentivizes tournament organizers and their sponsoring partners. But those partners are also now more likely to work with the pro teams and players themselves. Betting operators are among the most common and most generous sponsors in the pro CS2 space, showing how esports betting’s rise has contributed to Counter-Strike’s continued prominence in esports and competitive gaming as a whole.