Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) became free-to-play on December 6, 2018, marking a significant shift in the game's business model. This change came alongside the introduction of a new battle royale mode called "Danger Zone."

Prior to going free-to-play, CS:GO cost $14.99. Players who had purchased the game before this transition were automatically upgraded to "Prime Status," a premium tier that typically costs $14.99 for new players.

The transition to a free-to-play model was part of Valve Corporation's strategy to compete with other popular free-to-play shooters like Fortnite and maintain the game's player base. This move proved successful, as CS:GO saw a significant increase in its player count following the change.

Here's what changed when CS:GO became free:

- The base game became available to download and play at no cost
- All existing players received Prime Status automatically
- New players could purchase Prime Status for $14.99
- Free-to-play players got access to all core game modes
- The new Danger Zone battle royale mode was introduced

Prime Status offers several benefits over the free version:

- Exclusive matchmaking with other Prime players
- Access to Prime-exclusive souvenir items and weapon cases
- Eligible for receiving weekly item drops
- Higher trust factor in matchmaking

Since becoming free-to-play, CS:GO has maintained its position as one of Steam's most popular games, regularly reaching over a million concurrent players. The game continues to generate revenue through in-game purchases, including weapon skins, operation passes, and Prime Status upgrades.

It's worth noting that while the game is free, serious players often choose to purchase Prime Status to access better matchmaking and avoid potential cheaters who might take advantage of free accounts. This two-tiered system has helped maintain the game's competitive integrity while making it more accessible to new players.

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