Sports Then and Now

Valve’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has set a new record for the average number of players.

When the game was changed to a free free-to-play model in November 2018, player numbers started to quickly rise. But the reason for the new record also coincided with the new Shattered Web update released last November and was a great success indeed.

CS:GO as a sport

CS:GO, also known as Counter-Strike Global Offensive, is a very popular multiplayer first-person shooter game, where eSports professionals and recreational players alike compete all over the world. It was first released in 2012. CS: GO has proven to be an exceptional game in the world of e-sports alongside games like League of Legends and Dota 2, whose numbers only increase as the game gets older and becomes more retro. In terms of e-sports, the number of tournaments continues to grow and more teams join to compete for big prize money. 

Here’s a quote from a professional CS:GO player about how he turned pro:

“I was already playing video games a lot in middle school. I basically missed my studies and turned into a pro when I got the chance to play full-time. Now I play for ENCE eSports public. I get a monthly salary that is made possible by our sponsors. Tournament winnings are subject to a commission, so it’s a win-win for all.

Gaming has come a long way and we are not just talking about how well titles have improved over the past decades. As an industry and as a hobby, gaming is now more accepted than ever before and this entertainment media goes beyond kids spending dimes in an arcade. It has become so popular, that competitive gaming itself has become a profession already.

Electronic sports or better known as Esports is a form of competitive gaming. Most commonly, these tournaments or competitions are organized by esteemed bodies who are willing to put up millions in the prize pool to entice the best of the best to come out and play. Esports in and of itself has come a long way already and it’s always a joy looking at its glorious climb to fame.

The Rise Of Competitive Gaming

The common misconception is that Esports has only been around in the past decades or so. However, the truth is that it has been around since the early 70s. The first officially recorded video game competition was held at Stanford University on Oct. 19, 1972. The tournament called for the best Spacewar players in the university. It was simpler times then as the top prize was a year’s subscription to Rolling Stone magazine.