The Entire History of CS2 (CSGO)

Have you heard of CS2 (CSGO)? If you are a hardcore gamer, probably you’ve played it with friends at some point. It is arguably the most intriguing multiplayer FPS. So, let’s learn how it all started with this whole Counter-Strike franchise!

Counter-Strike Before CS2 (CSGO)

Counter-Strike was developed by Jess Cliffe and Minh Le, who released the game's beta version in 1999. The multiplayer game drew more attention in 2000 when Valve bought the game’s intellectual property. In September of the same year, the company released the first non-beta version of the game for PCs.

As the game gained more popularity, some individuals started forming organized gaming teams, which led to the dawn of eSports. The 2001 Cyberathlete Championship was the first significant eSports competition for Counter-Strike (won by the legendary Ninjas in Pyjamas).

The rapid technological advancement led to powerful hardware that could run complex games. Counter-Strike developers saw an opportunity to improve the game by introducing more features. Unfortunately, some sequels, such as the “Counter-Strike: Condition Zero” or “Counter-Strike: Source” did not gain such big popularity… but it all changed with CS2 (CSGO)!

The Development of CS2 (CSGO)

Pre-release

The development of CS2 (CSGO) started in March 2010, eleven years after the release of the original Counter-strike. Valve saw the need to expand Counter-Strike’s gameplay when Hidden Path Entertainment tried to port the game into consoles.

The original version was somehow outdated since gamers had better tools to run complex games with more features. The idea was to reinvent the FTP to meet the needs of the fast-growing fan base. In August 2011, Jess Cliffe, one of the developers, announced on Stream Forums that they were developing "Global Offensive", a new version of Counter-Strike.

Valve wanted to turn Counter-Strike into a slightly different game by incorporating new features. Unlike its predecessor, the new game would be able to support ranked matchmaking and also run-on dedicated servers. Its new gaming engine would benefit both hardcore and casual players since it could improve the overall gaming experience.

CS2 (CSGO) Beta

After months of development, Valve announced the completion of the beta version of CS2 (CSGO) in October 2011. The company invited professional gamers to test the game’s mechanics and point out areas that need improvement. After a thorough analysis of the feedback, the company decided to delay its release to fix major bugs and issues.

In November 2011, Valve released the closed beta version, but it was restricted to about 10,000 players. The selected individuals got a chance to explore the game as developers identified and fixed errors in the source code. In August 2012, the company allowed other players to try the game, prioritizing the people who pre-ordered the FTP.

Post Release

Hidden Path Entertainment stopped contributing to the source code when the beta phase ended. The release of stable versions meant that the game had minimal bugs, and it met the expectations of most gamers. As of now, Valve is the only company responsible for the maintenance of the game. Since the takeover, the firm has made major improvements in the appearance and functionality of the game.

Although CS2 (CSGO) has robust source code, Valve continually updates the game. For instance, there are some adjustments in the gameplay, in-game store, and weapons. Additionally, developers have introduced the Stream Workshop feature that allows players to use custom content like playing on aim maps.

CS2 (CSGO) Success & eSports

While in the development stage, Valve’s team never imagined that their product might become a big name in esports. Since its inception, CS2 (CSGO)’s fan base has been growing organically as the developers keep adding new features by analyzing players’ feedback. As a result, the game’s viewership rate increased tremendously as more people became interested in esports.

In fact, the game is now so big that there are even dedicated CS2 (CSGO) gambling sites like CSGOEmpire or Hellcase, sites where people can trade skins, and online bookmakers like where you can bet on CS2 (CSGO) matches.

The game is relevant in modern esports because it was designed for competitive gaming. CS2 (CSGO) is one of the titles that appear in major gaming tournaments across the globe. For instance, large crowds buy tickets to see experienced players battle out in events like Dreamhack or IEM Katowice.

A game like CS2 (CSGO) will continue to appear in esports for generations since it continually evolves to meet user needs. If you are into the game, we encourage you to check out our CS2 (CSGO) articles, where we cover a variety of topics!