
It is considered the most difficult test, requiring teams to prove their skills over the most robust gameplay. The longest format is best-of-five, with only one map banned by each team. In best-of-three, teams take turns banning two maps, with the final three maps played. In best-of-one competitions, teams typically take turns banning three maps apiece and compete on the one remaining.

While the active map pool has consistently remained at seven, they do change periodically to keep the game aesthetically current. Valve has continued to update CS:GO since its release, introducing new maps, weapons, game modes and weapon-balancing changes. They are the most balanced and competitive maps used in official Valve events. The current active duty map pool includes Inferno, Train, Mirage, Nuke, Overpass, Dust II and Vertigo. Matchmaking is supported in each of the online game modes, running the Valve Anti-Cheat to prevent cheating and match players of similar skill levels. There are nine primary game modes: Competitive, Casual, Deathmatch, Arms Race, Demolition, Wingman, Flying Scoutsman, Danger Zone and Weapons Course.Ĭompetitive mode features two teams of five players competing against each other, with each player having a skill-based ranking. Completing objectives earns cash bonuses, while actions such as killing teammates incurs penalties. Players are rewarded at the end of each round based on their performance, earning virtual currency to spend on additional weapons or utility. The goal of the game is straightforward with two teams, the Terrorists and the Counter-Terrorists, competing in different game modes to complete objectives on various “maps.” It was released in 2012 as the fourth game in the Counter-Strike series, with Valve transitioning the game to a free-to-play model in December 2018. Today, a look at Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.Ĭounter-Strike: Global Offensive, commonly referred to as CS:GO, is a multiplayer first-person shooter game published by Valve.


With the games featuring a wide range of formats, competition types and schedules, Field Level Media is producing a series of overviews to introduce you to the most popular titles, teams and personalities. Esports are passionately followed by millions of fans around the globe on a daily basis.
