Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) has been one of the most popular video games in the world for years, with millions of players logging on every day to compete in multiplayer matches. In March of this year, CSGO broke its all-time peak player count record when 1,519,457 people logged on following the announcement of Counter-Strike 2. However, that record has now been broken once again, with SteamDB recording 1,818,773 players – a jump of almost 300,000.
So what has brought all these players to CSGO? While some may cynically suggest that the numbers are inflated by bots, it’s likely that many of these players are participating in the final CSGO Major and its associated rewards. Since the Paris Major began on May 8, Valve has added its usual Pick’Em challenge, in which CSGO players can attempt to predict the results of the tournament. The more accurate your guesses are, the better the rarity of prizes you can earn.
Another factor driving interest in the Paris Major is the newly arrived cosmetics. A sticker with the logo of every team and one with the signature of every player competing in the Major can be added to any weapon you own. With so many options available, players seeking a specific sticker or signature may head to the Steam Community Market, where prices can range from a few cents to hundreds of dollars.
Of course, the Paris Major is particularly significant because it will be the last Major played in CSGO. The game has been a staple of the esports scene since its release in 2012, but Valve has announced that Counter-Strike 2 will soon be taking its place. The first Major played in Counter-Strike 2 won’t take place until March 2024, meaning that the Paris Major will be the only Major of 2023. This is a significant change, as normally there are two Majors held each year.
Counter-Strike 2 is currently undergoing limited testing for a select group of players, and Valve has promised that the sequel will be “an overhaul to every system, every piece of content, and every part of the C-S experience.” This suggests that fans of the original game can expect big changes when Counter-Strike 2 is finally released.
Despite the imminent release of Counter-Strike 2, CSGO continues to be a force in the gaming industry. The game’s popularity shows no signs of waning, and the Paris Major is expected to be one of the biggest esports events of the year. With millions of players tuning in to watch the tournament and participate in the Pick’Em challenge, it’s clear that CS:GO remains a cultural phenomenon that will be remembered for years to come.
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