Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) was officially released on August 21, 2012, by Valve Corporation. The game launched simultaneously on multiple platforms including Windows PC, Mac OS X, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

Before its official release, CS:GO went through a closed beta phase that began in November 2011. Select members of the gaming community, including professional Counter-Strike players and prominent community figures, were invited to test and provide feedback on the game.

The development of CS:GO was a collaborative effort between Valve Corporation and Hidden Path Entertainment. They aimed to create a modern successor to Counter-Strike: Source while maintaining the core gameplay elements that made the original Counter-Strike series successful.

Initially, CS:GO wasn't free-to-play. Players had to purchase the game for $14.99. However, in December 2018, Valve made a significant change by making CS:GO free-to-play and introducing the "Prime Status" upgrade for players who wanted additional features.

Key dates related to CS:GO's release: • November 2011: Closed beta begins • March 2012: Open beta testing starts • August 21, 2012: Official release • December 2018: Transition to free-to-play model

Since its release, CS:GO has received regular updates and has grown to become one of the most popular competitive first-person shooter games in the world. The game has maintained a strong player base and continues to be a major title in esports competitions globally.

While CS:GO has now been succeeded by Counter-Strike 2 (released in September 2023), its original release date of August 21, 2012, marks an important milestone in competitive gaming history.

Related Articles

Previous Articles