CounterStrike

Counter-Strike is a series of multiplayer first-person shooter video games developed by Valve. The franchise began as a 1999 mod for Half-Life created by Minh Le and Jess Cliffe; Valve subsequently acquired the rights and released a standalone sequel, Counter-Strike, in 2000. The games emphasize team-based, objective-driven combat and are played in round-based matches.

Gameplay centers on two teams: terrorists and counter-terrorists. Each round has specific objectives, such as defusing a bomb or rescuing hostages, and players earn money to buy weapons and equipment between rounds. The round ends when a team completes its objective, all players on the opposing team are eliminated, or time runs out. The series is known for its precise gunplay, map design, and emphasis on communication and strategy.

The franchise progressed through Counter-Strike: Condition Zero and Counter-Strike: Source (both released in the mid-2000s) before reaching widespread popularity with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) in 2012. CS:GO modernized graphics and interface while maintaining core mechanics, cultivating a large casual audience and a highly developed professional esports scene. In 2023, Valve announced Counter-Strike 2, a major upgrade to CS:GO that moves to the Source 2 engine, with updated matchmaking, maps, and performance enhancements.

Impact and legacy: Counter-Strike has had a substantial influence on multiplayer shooter design and esports, fostering a durable community, ongoing updates, community-created content, and a persistent competitive ecosystem that spans casual play to international tournaments.