CS:GO

CS:GO is among the most popular esports titles today (source: www.vcgamers.com)

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, often abbreviated as CS:GO, is one of the most pivotal and popular titles in the world of computer games. This first-person shooter, developed by Valve in collaboration with Hidden Path Entertainment, has become a pioneer in the genre and has garnered an enormous international fanbase.

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History and general information about CS:GO

With several previous versions of the game Counter-Strike, CS:GO continues the battle between two teams – terrorists (referred to as T) and counter-terrorist units (often referred to as CT) – in challenging tactical fights. However, the Global Offensive version brought new life into this iconic series. Players can look forward to reworked classic maps, innovative game modes, and many other improvements that keep the game fresh and current. Since its release on August 21, 2012, CS:GO has become a pinnacle of esports and its influence on the gaming community is undeniable. CS:GO and Valve are not lagging in development. In March 2023, an upcoming update based on the new Source 2 engine was announced, bringing not only graphical enhancements but also important changes to the game system. Thanks to the constant development, Valve attracts new players and satisfies veterans, with the new engine ushering in a new era of Counter-Strike 2. CS:GO has achieved success not only among players but also in the esports world. Games like CS:GO have become arenas for professional players competing in tournaments with million-dollar prizes. World teams compete in prestigious tournaments such as the Major Championship Series, showcasing their tactical intelligence and shooting skills. These events attract tens of thousands of spectators and allow players to achieve fame and fortune. There is no doubt that CS:GO has such a strong impact that it has shaped the direction of esports and opened doors to careers for players, commentators, and esports event organizers. Players in CS:GO can become legends, whether at a professional level or within the community.

Game preview

Tactics, competitiveness, and game progress

CS:GO gameplay is based on careful balance of skill and strategy. Players must make quick decisions and cooperate with their teammates to achieve victory. The key is choosing the right equipment – from pistols to heavy weapons and grenades. Tactical positions, coverage, and communication are key to success. Players must also learn to shoot quickly, correctly use hidden paths on maps, and respond to unexpected situations. Each map in CS:GO has its unique characteristics and features, requiring players to adapt and quickly read the situation. Players also have the option to choose whether to play as Terrorists or Counter-Terrorists, adding variety to the gameplay. Some game modes, such as Competitive and Wingman, are highly competitive, with a very competitive atmosphere and emphasis on strategy and coordination. The game also has a robust ranking system that rates individual player skills and ensures that players face opponents of matching levels. This system motivates players to constantly improve and move up the hierarchy. CS:GO is not just about shooting, but also about smarter thinking and team cooperation, making this game so addictive and highly competitive.

Most common game modes

Various game modes add diversity and fun to CS:GO for players with different gaming preferences. Each of them requires a different playstyle and strategy, keeping the game fresh and interesting for players all the time.

Casual and Competitive

These two modes are among the most common and popular game modes in CS:GO. Both modes include Bomb Missions and Hostage Missions, offering diversity in tactical approach. Casual mode is primarily intended for beginners and occasional players, where the game is accelerated and the rules are relaxed, such as no team damage. On the other hand, the competitive mode is for players looking for a challenge and wanting to compete at a higher level. Here it is played 5 vs. 5 and teams must achieve 16 winning rounds. This competitive atmosphere and effort to achieve the best possible rank attract players from all over the world.

Bomb Missions

This mode involves Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists, where the Terrorists’ task is to plant a bomb at one of the designated sites and Counter-Terrorists must either prevent the bomb from being planted or defuse it if it has been planted. Bomb sites are marked with letters A and B on maps. This mode requires coordination and tactics and is one of the most popular among CS:GO players.

Hostage Missions

Here Counter-Terrorists must rescue hostages held by Terrorists and escort them to the extraction point. The Terrorists must prevent the hostages from being rescued. The game can mix up this mission, either by trying to prevent the rescue or by trying to rescue the hostages. Monetary penalties are given for killing a hostage, which forces players to be careful and precise.

Arms Race

This mode is about rapid weapon swapping, with the goal of reaching level 16. Each level features a different weapon and players must get a kill with each of them. Finally, at the last level, players use a golden knife. The team that first reaches the final level wins.

Demolition

In this mode, players are given specific weapons at the start of the game and gain additional weapons by killing opponents. The game is about adapting to different weapons and shooting with them.

Deathmatch

Deathmatch allows players to freely choose weapons and compete against each other to get the most frags. The game is played in respawn mode, meaning players reappear on the map after death.

Wingman

This mode is a competitive version for four players (2 vs. 2). Players strive to win 16 rounds. Each team is tasked with either planting or defusing a bomb on a map with one bomb site. This mode emphasizes cooperation between players and tactics on smaller maps.

Flying Scoutsman

This mode brings fun and action with a significantly different gameplay style. Players have only two weapons available each round: the SSG 08 sniper rifle and a knife. This creates fast and intense battles where precise shooting and good use of the SSG 08 are needed. Additionally, gravity is significantly reduced in this mode, allowing players to jump into the air and perform acrobatic shots. Flying Scoutsman is a great way to unwind from traditional CS:GO gameplay and experience something entirely different.

Community servers

One of the unique features of the PC version of CS:GO is the ability for players to run their own servers. This opens the door to endless gaming possibilities as the community has created a wide range of custom game modes that differ from the traditional competitive mode. These include popular modes like JailBreak, where one player is imprisoned and the others must find a way to free them, Trouble in Terrorist Town, where players must uncover the traitor in the team, or Surf, where players race on specially designed maps.

Danger Zone

This game mode is a response to the popularity of the Battle Royale genre in the gaming world. Players can play solo or in a team and start the game by selecting their drop location on the map. They must then survive as the last team or player alive on the map. They can use weapons found on the map and also a tablet that allows them to buy weapons and utilities with money earned by surviving, exploring the map, or killing enemies. Danger Zone brings tension, strategy, and adrenaline-filled moments, making it a favorite for Battle Royale game fans.

Offline game modes

Both offline modes provide players the opportunity to hone their skills and prepare for challenging online matches. They are ideal for those who want to gain better game awareness and become stronger players without the pressure of online competition.

Offline with bots

This mode allows players to practice their skills and play against artificial intelligence. Players can play on various maps against computer-controlled bots that simulate the behavior of real players. This mode is great for beginners who want to improve their shooting skills, tactics, and map knowledge without the pressure of real online opponents. Bots can be set to different difficulties, allowing players to progress from easier opponents to more challenging ones as they improve.

Weapon training

This mode is specifically designed to improve players’ shooting skills. Players can practice their accuracy and weapon control in this mode. There are several different maps, each focusing on different aspects of shooting, such as spray control and reflex training. Players can also experiment with different types of weapons and their shooting behavior. Weapon training is an essential tool for players who want to achieve high accuracy and efficiency in shooting battles in CS:GO.

Weapons in CS:GO

Weapons are a key element of the game, so it is important to understand their characteristics and proper use. With knowledge of these weapons, you will be better equipped for playing CS:GO and will be able to strategically choose the most suitable weapon for the situation.

Pistols

In CS:GO, pistols are key equipment used by players in various situations. There are several main types of pistols, including:

• Glock: Terrorists start the round with this fast pistol with a high rate of fire. The Glock can cause instant death with a headshot, but its body shots are relatively weak.
• USP-S and P2000: Counter-Terrorists choose between these two pistols before the round starts. The USP-S is a silent and accurate pistol suitable for long-range shooting, while the P2000 offers more ammunition and less recoil.
• P250: A universal pistol with a good price/performance ratio, often used in economic rounds.
• CZ-75, Five-Seven, and Tec-9: All these pistols have their specific characteristics and are popular for their power in certain situations.
• Desert Eagle (Deagle): This pistol is known for its high damage capability and can cause death with one headshot. However, it is difficult to control due to high recoil.

Rifles

Rifles are very popular among CS:GO players and are divided into two main categories:

• Assault Rifles: Among the most popular are AK-47 on the Terrorist side, which has high accuracy on the first shot and relatively easy recoil pattern. On the Counter-Terrorist side, you can choose between M4A4 and M4A1-S. The M4A4 offers more ammunition and a higher rate of fire, while the M4A1-S is quieter and has slightly higher accuracy.
• Scoped Rifles: Scoped rifles include AUG and SG 553. These rifles offer scopes and are suitable for medium-range shooting.

SMG (Submachine Guns) and heavy weapons

SMGs are more affordable than rifles and are often used in so-called anti-eco rounds. Notable SMGs include P90, UMP, MP9, Mac-10, and PP-Bizon. Heavy weapons include shotguns and machine guns, such as Nova, XM1014, MAG-7, M249, and Negev.

Grenades

Grenades are a key tactical tool in CS:GO. There are various types of grenades:

• High-Explosive (HE) Grenade: Used to deal damage to enemies who are not directly visible.
• Flashbang: Blinds enemies, which can be crucial for breaking through defenses.
• Smoke Grenade: Creates a smoke screen that can cover team movement or block paths for enemies.
• Molotov/Incendiary Grenade: Causes damage to enemies and can block paths.

Knife

The knife is the only melee weapon in CS:GO. It is very powerful in close combat and can cause death with one strike. Knife skins are purely cosmetic and do not affect its properties.

Operations in CS:GO

Operations are special events or actions in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive that bring new content, challenges, and experiences for players. During an operation, players are offered the opportunity to purchase a badge that serves as a ticket to this event. The badge can be purchased during the operation period, which can last from three to five months. Upon purchasing the badge, players gain access to various benefits, including the ability to play on exclusive maps in competitive mode. These maps often bring new tactics and challenges, keeping the game interesting. Operations also contain lists of challenges and missions that players can complete during their gameplay. Completing these tasks can earn players various rewards, including more expensive weapon skins. One of the main elements of an operation is also Operation Cases, which can be earned as rewards for completing missions or purchased on the CS:GO market. These cases contain unique and attractive weapon skin patterns and are often highly valued among player collectors. Overall, operations in CS:GO bring new content, challenges, and fun to the game and often serve to finance esports tournaments, helping to keep the player community active and engaged. Operations are a popular feature in CS:GO and often enjoy great interest from players.

CS:GO as a driving force in esports

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is not just an ordinary video game. It is also a haven for one of the most engaged and passionate esports communities in the world. The professional CS:GO scene has become the epicenter of competitive gaming, where the best players and teams compete in worldwide tournaments to showcase their skills and fight for huge rewards. This professional scene is divided into several layers. There are third parties that organize their own leagues and tournaments, and then there are the Major Championships sponsored by Valve, the game’s creators. Majors are undoubtedly the most prestigious events in CS:GO and are known for their huge prizes for winners. One of the most successful teams in CS:GO history is Astralis, which is still considered the team that set the standards for performance and tactics in this game. With a core team that has won four Majors, Astralis has earned the respect of the entire esports world. However, this esports community has not been spared controversies and challenges. Scandals, such as the first major match-fixing scandal in 2014 or the “Coaching Bug Scandal” in 2020, have affected the course of the professional scene and led to measures against fraud and unfair practices. These events show that CS:GO is not just about the game but also about competition and sometimes controversies that accompany it.

Stickers and Pick’em minigame

Stickers and Pick’em are fascinating parts of the esports world within CS:GO. Stickers are small graphic elements that feature team logos and player signatures and are commonly part of newer CS:GO Major tournaments. Players have the option to apply these stickers to their weapons, allowing them to show support for their favorite teams and players. Stickers exist in four different types: basic, holographic, special, and gold, with different price levels on the Steam market. Part of the proceeds from the sale of these stickers goes to the players and teams, contributing to the support of professional CS:GO. Additionally, there is also the Pick’em minigame, which comes with each CS:GO Major. In this minigame, players can bet their stickers on the results of individual teams during the tournament, including the group and playoff stages. Some Majors even allow players to bet on the best players. For correct predictions, players earn gold, silver, or bronze badges, which cannot be obtained any other way than by participating in this minigame. Stickers are locked for the duration of the tournament and cannot be used in any other operations, but after the tournament ends, they become freely usable. Some Majors even offer a “viewer pass,” allowing players to bet on teams regardless of whether they have purchased stickers. Overall, stickers and the Pick’em minigame add another layer of fun and interactivity to professional CS:GO tournaments, helping to build passion and engagement among esports fans.

Exclusive collectible cases

Collectible cases are a unique feature of CS:GO Major tournaments that add another dimension of excitement for fans and collectors. These cases are exclusively available during Major tournaments and have several interesting features. The first interesting aspect is the way you can obtain these collectible cases. Valve randomly distributes them to viewers watching CS:GO Major tournaments on various platforms, including Twitch, steam.tv, or directly in the game through GOTV (Gameplay Over the TV). In the past, during MLG Columbus in 2016, it was even possible to obtain these cases by watching on the mlg.tv platform. The collectible cases themselves contain skins (cosmetic appearances) for weapons from the map collection that was currently played when the case dropped to the player. This detail gives the collectible skins the name “souvenir.” Souvenir skins are generally rarer and more valuable than regular skins because they are associated with a specific historical moment from a CS:GO Major tournament. For collectors and CS:GO fans, collectible souvenirs are a great opportunity to obtain rare skins and connect them with memorable moments from prestigious Major tournaments. These cases not only increase interest and excitement during tournaments but also contribute to building the CS:GO esports community and history.

The Czech presence in CS:GO

The Czech presence in CS:GO esports has been represented at various Major tournaments. Some Czech players have made it to the big stage of these prestigious events, and here are some of their significant participations:

1. Tomáš “oskar” Šťastný – Played for mousesports and participated in several Major tournaments, including PGL Major Kraków 2017, ELEAGUE Major 2018, and FACEIT Major 2018.
2. Adam “NEOFRAG” Zouhar – Player for OG, who participated in IEM Rio Major 2022 and Blast Paris Major 2023.

CS:GO gambling

Gambling with CS:GO skins is a phenomenon that emerged within the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player community. This form of gambling involves using virtual skins, which are special visual camouflage for weapons in CS:GO, as a form of virtual currency. These gambling sites that accept CS:GO skins allow players to exchange their skins for gaming credits or other virtual money. From 2016 to 2018, CS:GO skin gambling was very popular until Valve developers introduced measures to address this issue. Specifically, there was a seven-day hold on trading any CS:GO item traded between players. This means that once a player received a skin from the market, they had to wait seven days before they could transfer this skin to another account. This measure aimed to increase security and reduce the risk of gambling abuse. Another form of gambling associated with CS:GO is opening cases on websites. Players spend money on keys and open virtual cases containing random CS:GO skins. The goal is to obtain rare and valuable skins that have different values on the community market. The outcome of opening a case is random, and thus this activity can be perceived as a form of gambling. There is also peer-to-peer (P2P) trading of CS:GO skins. This form of trading allows players to directly buy and sell their CS:GO skins among themselves. This way, players can avoid the seven-day waiting period for skin transfers and have greater flexibility in trading. Websites often act as intermediaries between the buyer and seller, facilitating the entire process. Overall, CS:GO skins and related gambling form an interesting and controversial aspect of the player community, although developers strive to regulate and mitigate the risks associated with this phenomenon.

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2️⃣ How does gambling with CS:GO skins work?

3️⃣ What is the significance of CS:GO skins and stickers?

Peter Broz

Article author – esports expert
Email: peter@slothbet.com

I came into contact with playing computer games long before a billion-dollar business with professional teams emerged around them. Although I never reached the professional level, I still have many acquaintances among the top esports players today. At SlothBet, I will primarily contribute to the esports section.

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