Valve has surprised the gaming community by relaunching Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) on Steam, two years after removing it from the platform. This move comes after the arrival of Counter-Strike 2 as a free and mandatory update in September 2023, a change that left CS:GO out of circulation and difficult for players to access.
The king returns for his crown
Despite its removal, CS:GO had not completely disappeared, as users could access it through CS2 launch parameters. However, this method was impractical and lacked essential functionalities, causing the game to be practically ‘dead’ for many. With the recent relaunch, CS:GO has regained its own page in the store and some key tools, although Valve has still not introduced an official ‘matchmaking’ system. Nevertheless, the search for community servers has been reactivated, allowing players to access classic matches and alternative modes like ‘surf’.
The reception has been remarkable, reaching 8,000 concurrent users shortly after its launch, which took place almost silently at 01:00 Spanish mainland time. The reviews have been “extremely positive,” reflecting a strong desire from the community to revive the title. Additionally, the relaunch has generated an increase in interest on social media, where players have expressed their satisfaction in experiencing some options that are still not available in Counter-Strike 2.
The reason behind this decision by Valve remains a mystery. Some analysts believe that the relaunch could be accidental, given that the product page shows inconsistencies. Moreover, what many speculate is that Valve might have sought to maximize the reach of Counter-Strike 2 without losing CS:GO users in the process. Ultimately, the company, known for its focus on implicit communication through its products, continues to surprise its followers with unexpected moves.
