CSGO sets new record for average players, breaking 2017 mark
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has reached its highest number of average players since its release in 2012.
August has been a good month for the first-person shooter. The number of average players went over 402,000, a significant increase compared to the 393,000 in the month of July. The previous record was established in February 2017.
The number particularly stands out at this time of the year. Historically, CSGO has had a lower number of average players in the summer. June, July, and August are slow months compared to December and January, colder months in much of the world during which the numbers go drastically up. In August 2018, CSGO had 283,000 average players. That’s a 119,000 player difference in just one year.
What makes CSGO so popular?
There isn’t one single reason for that increase. Instead it’s a combination of multiple factors that are raising CSGO’s popularity. For starters, CSGO is one of the most balanced FPS games on the market. Compared with games that constantly introduce new mechanics and dramatic changes, CSGO doesn’t rely on these wild breaks in the game’s structure to attract players.
That’s the case for battle royale titles like Fornite and Apex Legends. Fornite in particular is losing players because of the
recent introduction of the BRUTE mechs. Those players are not migrating in full to CSGO, but they are giving more attention to the game. One example is the popular streamer Tim “TimTheTatMan” Betar, who’s known largely for his Fortnite play but has more recently played CSGO on his stream.
Esports’ growing popularity might also play a part in CSGO’s numbers. Out of the top games with competitive scenes, CSGO is arguably the easiest to understand and watch. The learning curve in games like League of Legends and Dota 2 can be too high for the casual viewer.
Other games like Overwatch are difficult to watch at the highest levels of play considering how many things can happen at the same time with limited spectator options. The viewing experience in CSGO is overall easier, and the format is simpler.
There’s also the obvious factor fo CSGO going free-to-play. Developer Valve moved the game to a free-to-play model in December 2018. While there were significant concerns about how this might attract a new influx of hackers to the game, the increasing player count that has followed as a result cannot be denied.
August is the best time to get into CSGO with the Berlin Major taking place. The best teams in the world are competing for the title and part of the $1 million prize pool.
Read Also
Counter-Strike
Team Spirit vs Team Falcons at BLAST Open Fall 2026: best predictions and picks
Owen Harsono
We’re in for a treat, as the BLAST Open Fall semi-final will feature a matchup between Team Spirit and Team Falcons, with the winner booking a spot in the grand final. It’s a battle between the world number one and number two, so this is a match you definitely don’t want to miss. Here are our BLAST Open Fall Team Spirit vs Team Falcons predictions. Tournament: BLAST Open Fall 2026 ...
Counter-Strike
Is CS2 Dying in 2026?
Owen Harsono
Counter-Strike is one of the longest-standing esports franchises, having built a loyal fanbase over the course of two decades. However, if you’ve browsed through social media platforms across the past few months, you might have seen people claiming that the game is dying or on a steady decline. Below we’ll take a look at why people are talking about this and answer the question of “is CS2 really dying?” One ...
News
The Esports Nations Cup Has Been Postponed to November 2027
Ben Boland
The 2026 Esports Nations Cup has been suspended until 2027. The Esports Foundation announced the delay on August 18, citing ongoing regional uncertainty. The inaugural competition was scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, comprising over 100 national teams and featuring 16 different games, including League of Legends. According to the Esports Foundation, this decision follows ongoing developments in the region and consultation with key stakeholders. Moving the event ...
Esports Betting
MLBB is the most-watched game from the EWC, and it’s hard to see another game beating it
Michael Hassall
The Esports World Cup 2026 has officially passed its midway point and viewership figures for the tournament have surpassed many expectations so far, as per Esports Charts. The viewership tracking site revealed new statistics for the event on Aug. 6, showcasing just how many games had set new records in viewership, including one name leading the way in views: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. MLBB leads the viewership charts with the ...
Counter-Strike
CS2 at the EWC 2026 Preview: Odds, Details, Predictions and More
Owen Harsono
Top-tier Counter-Strike action returns at the Esports World Cup, as 32 of the best teams will take the trip to Paris to compete for millions of dollars. If you’re looking to watch the event, here’s everything you need to know and which teams to keep an eye on. The Esports World Cup is one of the largest CS2 events if we’re looking at prize pools, as $2,000,000 will be distributed ...
News
Opinion: Is Esports Tracing the Same Evolutionary Path As Traditional Sports?
Cecilia Ciocchetti
What happens when an industry compresses centuries of sporting evolution into less than a decade or two? Communities become global audiences overnight, rivalries spread through social media within minutes, and tournaments turn into entertainment products faster than ever before. And so what took traditional sports centuries to build has taken esports a fraction of that. From local communities to sold out arenas, and from informal matches to Olympic-style events, the ...
Counter-Strike
BLAST Bounty 2026 semi-final predictions: who’s making it to the grand final?
Owen Harsono
The top four teams we’re seeing at the BLAST Bounty 2026 semi-finals are far from what anyone would expect before the tournament began, but here we are. We’re only three matches from crowning a winner, so let’s take a look at the best BLAST Bounty semi-final predictions for both upcoming matchups. Starting the semi-finals off is a banger of a series between FaZe Clan and Team Spirit, which is one ...
