View source for Software:Counter-Strike

{{Short description|Video game series by Valve}}
{{pp-semi|small=yes}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title                  = Counter-Strike
| image                  = Counter-Strike vertical logo (2023).svg
| platforms              = {{plainlist|
* [[Software:Windows|Windows]]
* [[Software:MacOS|macOS]]
* [[Software:Linux|Linux]]
* [[Engineering:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3]]
* [[Engineering:Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
* [[Engineering:Xbox 360|Xbox 360]]
}}
| developer              = {{plainlist|
* [[Company:Valve Corporation|Valve]]
* [[Company:Turtle Rock Studios|Turtle Rock Studios]]
* [[Company:Hidden Path Entertainment|Hidden Path Entertainment]]
* [[Company:Gearbox Software|Gearbox Software]]
* [[Company:Ritual Entertainment|Ritual Entertainment]]
* [[Company:Nexon|Nexon]]
}}
| publisher              = {{plainlist|
* Valve
* Sierra Entertainment
* [[Software:Microsoft Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]]
* [[Company:Namco|Namco]]
* Nexon
}}
| genre                  = [[Software:Tactical shooter|Tactical]] [[Software:First-person shooter|first-person shooter]]
| first release version  = ''[[Software:Counter-Strike (video game)|Counter-Strike]]''
| latest release version = ''[[Software:Counter-Strike 2|Counter-Strike 2]]''
| latest release date    = September 27, 2023
}}
'''''Counter-Strike''''' ('''''CS''''') is a series of multiplayer [[Software:Tactical shooter|tactical]] [[Software:First-person shooter|first-person shooter]] video games in which teams of [[Social:Terrorism|terrorists]] battle to perpetrate an act of terror (bombing, hostage-taking, assassination) while counter-terrorists try to prevent it (bomb defusal, hostage rescue, escort mission). The series began on [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Windows]] in 1999 with the release of the first game, ''[[Software:Counter-Strike (video game)|Counter-Strike]]''. It was initially released as a modification ("mod") for ''[[Software:Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]'' that was designed by Minh "Gooseman" Le and Jess "Cliffe" Cliffe before the rights to the mod's [[Social:Intellectual property|intellectual property]] were acquired by [[Company:Valve Corporation|Valve]], the [[Software:Video game developer|developers]] of ''Half-Life'', who then turned ''Counter-Strike'' into a retail product released in 2000.

The original ''Counter-Strike'' was followed by ''[[Software:Counter-Strike: Condition Zero|Counter-Strike]]'', developed by [[Company:Turtle Rock Studios|Turtle Rock Studios]] and released in March 2004. A previous version of ''Condition Zero'' that was developed by [[Company:Ritual Entertainment|Ritual Entertainment]] was released alongside it as ''Condition Zero: Deleted Scenes''. Eight months later, Valve released ''[[Software:Counter-Strike: Source|Counter-Strike]]'', a remake of the original ''Counter-Strike'' and the first in the series to run on Valve's then-newly created Source engine.<ref name="Counter-Strike: Source beta begins">{{cite news |title=Counter-Strike: Source beta begins |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/counterstrikesource/news.html?sid=6104577 |work=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=August 11, 2004 |access-date=July 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314043506/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-source-beta-begins/1100-6104577/ |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The fourth game in the main series, ''[[Software:Counter-Strike: Global Offensive|Counter-Strike]]'', was released by Valve in 2012 for Windows, [[Software:OS X|OS X]], [[Engineering:Xbox 360|Xbox 360]], and [[Engineering:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3]]. [[Company:Hidden Path Entertainment|Hidden Path Entertainment]], who worked on ''Counter-Strike: Source'' post-release, helped to develop the game alongside Valve.<ref name="CSGOannouncement">{{cite web|url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/6059/|title=VALVE ANNOUNCES COUNTER-STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE (CS: GO)|work=[[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]]|publisher=[[Company:Valve Corporation|Valve]]|date=August 12, 2011|access-date=March 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222134753/http://store.steampowered.com/news/6059/|archive-date=February 22, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Software:Counter-Strike 2|Counter-Strike 2]]'' was announced in March 2023, and the game was publicly released on September 27, 2023, replacing ''Global Offensive''.

There have been several third-party spin-off titles created for Asian markets over the years. These include the ''Counter-Strike Online'' series, ''Counter-Strike Neo'', and ''Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio''.

== Gameplay ==
''Counter-Strike'' is an objective-based, [[Software:Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] [[Software:Tactical shooter|tactical]] [[Software:First-person shooter|first-person shooter]]. Two opposing teams—the Terrorists and the Counter Terrorists—compete in game modes to complete objectives, such as securing a location to plant or defuse a bomb and rescuing or guarding hostages.<ref name="Destructoid Review">{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-counter-strike-global-offensive-233724.phtml|title=Review: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive|date = August 24, 2012|access-date = April 7, 2014 |website = [[Social:Destructoid|Destructoid]]|last = Pinsof|first = Allistair|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170101122023/https://www.destructoid.com/review-counter-strike-global-offensive-233724.phtml|url-status = live |archive-date = January 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=GAME BYTES: 'Counter-Strike' Lackluster|url=https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-36564855/game-bytes-counter-strike-lackluster|work=The Tuscaloosa News|publisher=New Media Investment Group|access-date=February 7, 2017|date=August 31, 2012|first=Phil|last=Owen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816193400/https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-36564855/game-bytes-counter-strike-lackluster|archive-date=August 16, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of each round, players are rewarded based on their individual performance with in-game currency to spend on more powerful weapons in subsequent rounds. Winning rounds results in more money than losing and completing objectives such as killing enemy players gives cash bonuses.<ref name="Destructoid Review"/> Uncooperative actions, such as killing teammates, results in a penalty.<ref name="navimoney">{{cite web|url=http://read.navi-gaming.com/en/team_news/money_system_in_csgo_explained|title=Money system in CS:GO explained|publisher=Natus Vincere|access-date=January 2, 2017|archive-date=January 2, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102060245/http://read.navi-gaming.com/en/team_news/money_system_in_csgo_explained}}</ref>

== Main series ==
{{Video game timeline
|compressempty=yes
|2000 = '''''[[Software:Counter-Strike (video game)|Counter-Strike]]'''''
|2004a = ''[[Software:Counter-Strike: Condition Zero|Counter-Strike]]''
|2004b = '''''[[Software:Counter-Strike: Source|Counter-Strike]]'''''
|2004c = ''Counter-Strike Neo''
|2012 = '''''[[Software:Counter-Strike: Global Offensive|Counter-Strike]]'''''
|2013 = ''[[Software:Counter-Strike Online 2|Counter-Strike Online 2]]''
|2014 = ''Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio''
|2008 = ''[[Software:Counter-Strike Online|Counter-Strike Online]]''
|2023 = '''''[[Software:Counter-Strike 2|Counter-Strike 2]]'''''
}}

=== ''Counter-Strike'' ===
{{Main|Software:Counter-Strike (video game)}}
Originally a modification for ''Half-Life'', the rights to ''Counter-Strike'', as well as the developers working on it, were acquired by Valve in 2000.

The game received a port to [[Engineering:Xbox (console)|Xbox]] in 2003.<ref name="Counter-Strike Xbox">{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/fi_counter-strike_x | title=E3 2003: Counter-Strike | publisher=Eurogamer | date=June 6, 2003 | access-date=February 5, 2014 | author=Fahey, Rob | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222202645/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/fi_counter-strike_x | archive-date=February 22, 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> It was also ported to OS X and Linux in the form of a beta in January 2013. A full release was published in April 2013.<ref name="Counter-Strike OS X Linux Beta">{{cite web | url=http://steamcommunity.com/games/10/announcements/detail/1010199179645672708 | title=Counter-Strike 1.6 Beta released | publisher=[[Company:Valve Corporation|Valve]] | work=[[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]] | date=January 28, 2013 | access-date=February 5, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214014350/http://steamcommunity.com/games/10/announcements/detail/1010199179645672708 | archive-date=February 14, 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Counter-Strike OS X Linux Release">{{cite web | url=http://steamcommunity.com/games/10/announcements/detail/1802838328069953132 | title=Counter-Strike 1.6 update released | publisher=[[Company:Valve Corporation|Valve]] | work=[[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]] | date=April 1, 2013 | access-date=February 5, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316053054/http://steamcommunity.com/games/10/announcements/detail/1802838328069953132 | archive-date=March 16, 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== {{anchor|Counter-Strike: Condition Zero}} ''Condition Zero'' ===
{{Main|Software:Counter-Strike: Condition Zero}}
''Counter-Strike'' was followed-up with ''Counter-Strike: Condition Zero'', developed by Turtle Rock Studios and released in 2004. It used the ''Half-Life'' [[Software:GoldSrc|GoldSrc]] engine, similar to its predecessor. Besides the multiplayer mode, it also included a single-player mode with a "full" campaign and bonus levels. The game received mixed reviews in contrast to its predecessor and was quickly followed with a further entry to the series titled ''[[Software:Counter-Strike: Source|Counter-Strike]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/counter-strike-condition-zero/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero for PC Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |publisher=Metacritic.com |access-date=November 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102024823/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/counter-strike-condition-zero |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== {{anchor|Counter-Strike: Source}} ''Source'' ===
{{Main|Software:Counter-Strike: Source}}
''Counter-Strike: Source'' was the first publicly released game by Valve to run on the Source engine. ''Counter-Strike: Source'' was initially released as a beta to members of the Valve Cyber Café Program on August 11, 2004.<ref name="Counter-Strike: Source beta begins"/><ref name="updatehistory">{{cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source update history |url=http://www.steampowered.com/platform/update_history/index.php?id=240 |publisher=[[Company:Valve Corporation|Valve]] |access-date=July 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222135657/http://www.steampowered.com/platform/update_history/index.php?id=240 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 18, 2004, the beta was released to owners of ''[[Software:Counter-Strike: Condition Zero|Counter-Strike]]'' and those who had received a ''[[Software:Half-Life 2|Half-Life 2]]'' voucher bundled with some [[Company:ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Engineering:Radeon|Radeon]] [[Engineering:Video card|video card]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source Strike ATI Customer |url=http://ati.amd.com/buy/promotions/cssource/index.html |publisher=[[Company:Advanced Micro Devices|Advanced Micro Devices]] |access-date=July 1, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409071711/http://ati.amd.com/buy/promotions/cssource/index.html |archive-date=April 9, 2010  }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ati-offers-bonus-to-half-life-2-bundle-buyers/1100-6077350/ |title=Counter Strike: Source ATI customer |date=December 2014 |access-date=December 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419221543/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ati-offers-bonus-to-half-life-2-bundle-buyers/1100-6077350/ |archive-date=April 19, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> While the original release only included a version for Microsoft Windows, the game eventually received a port to OS X on June 23, 2010, with a [[Software:Linux|Linux]] port afterwards in 2013.<ref name='CSS Mac'>{{cite web | url = http://store.steampowered.com/news/3976/ | title = Counter-Strike: Source Update Released | access-date = June 23, 2010 | work = [[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]] | publisher = [[Company:Valve Corporation|Valve]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222135654/http://store.steampowered.com/news/3976/ | archive-date = February 22, 2014 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="CSS Linux">{{cite web |author=Dawe, Liam |date=February 5, 2013 |title=Counter Strike Source Has Been Added To The CDR And Apparently Installable Too |url=http://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/counter-strike-source-has-been-added-to-the-cdr-and-apparently-installable-too.1710 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |publisher=GamingOnLinux}}</ref>

=== {{anchor|Counter-Strike: Global Offensive}} ''Global Offensive'' ===
{{Main|Software:Counter-Strike: Global Offensive}}
''Counter-Strike: Global Offensive'' was the fourth release in the main, Valve-developed ''Counter-Strike'' series in 2012. Much like ''Counter-Strike: Source'' the game runs on the Source engine. It is available on Microsoft Windows, OSX, and Linux, as well as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles, and is backwards compatible on the Xbox One console.

=== ''Counter-Strike 2'' ===
{{Main|Software:Counter-Strike 2}}
On March 22, 2023, Valve announced ''Counter-Strike 2'', which utilizes the [[Software:Source 2|Source 2]] [[Software:Game engine|game engine]]. It was originally announced as a free upgrade to ''Global Offensive'' with a summer 2023 release date.<ref name="CS2">{{cite web | url = https://www.hltv.org/news/35837/valve-announce-counter-strike-2 | last = Rizzo | first = Marco | title = Valve announce Counter-Strike 2 | publisher = HLTV | date = March 22, 2023 | access-date = March 22, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stedman |first=Alex |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Counter-Strike 2 Revealed Out of Nowhere, Release Window Confirmed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/counter-strike-2-revealed-out-of-nowhere-release-window-confirmed |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |last2=Clark |first2=Mitchel |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Valve announces Counter-Strike 2, a free replacement for CS:GO |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/valve-announces-counter-strike-2-a-free-replacement-for-csgo/ar-AA18X9Dz |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=[[Software:MSN|MSN]] |language=en-US}}</ref> On September 1, 2023, it was released as a limited beta,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Your Time is Now |url=https://www.counter-strike.net/newsentry/3644028846252008595 |access-date=September 3, 2023 |website=www.counter-strike.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How to play Counter-Strike 2 beta: Valve sends invites to more players for limited test |url=https://www.dexerto.com/counter-strike-2/csgo-2-beta-test-guide-2093744/ |access-date=September 3, 2023 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}</ref> and the game replaced ''Global Offensive'' on September 27.

== Spin-offs ==
=== {{anchor|Counter-Strike: Neo}} ''Neo'' ===
A Japanese [[Software:Arcade game|arcade]] adaptation of ''Counter-Strike''. It is published by Namco and runs on a [[Software:Linux|Linux]] system.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nvidia-partners-with-namco/1100-6108898/ | title=Nvidia partners with Namco | work=GameSpot | publisher=CBS Interactive | first=Hirohiko | last=Niizumi | date=September 27, 2004 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150307195139/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nvidia-partners-with-namco/1100-6108898/ | archive-date=March 7, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref> The game involves anime-designed characters in a futuristic designed version of ''Counter-Strike''.  A selection of single-player missions, mini-games, and seasonal events were added to prolong the game's interest with players.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2636/gdc_the_localization_of_.php | title=GDC: The Localization of Counter-Strike in Japan | work=Gamasutra | publisher=UBM plc | first=Eric-Jon | last=Waugh | date=March 27, 2006 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120652/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2636/gdc_the_localization_of_.php | archive-date=September 24, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== {{anchor|Counter-Strike: Online series}} ''Online'' series ===
{{Main|Software:Counter-Strike Online}}
''Counter-Strike Online'' is a free-to-play spin-off available in much of eastern Asia. It was developed by [[Company:Nexon|Nexon]], with oversight from [[Company:Valve Corporation|Valve]]. It uses a [[Finance:Micropayment|micropayment]] model that is managed by a custom version of the [[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]] [[Front and back ends#Computer science|back-end]].<ref name="gamasutra2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17744|title=Q&A: Valve Explains Why PC Gaming's Gaining Steam|work=Gamasutra|date=March 6, 2008|access-date=March 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112115903/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17744|archive-date=November 12, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Announced in 2012 and aimed at the Asian gaming market, a sequel titled ''Counter-Strike Online 2'' was developed by [[Company:Nexon|Nexon]] on the Source game engine and released in 2013.<ref name="CSOnline2Anounced">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/nexon-valve-announce-counter-strike-online-2-for-asian-territor/|title=Nexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories|last=Mallory|first=Jordan|publisher=Joystiq|date=April 6, 2012|access-date=April 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304014102/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/nexon-valve-announce-counter-strike-online-2-for-asian-territor/|archive-date=March 4, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== {{anchor|Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio}} ''Nexon: Studio'' ===
In August 2014, Nexon announced ''Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies'', a free-to-play, zombie-themed spin-off,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-08-07-counter-strike-nexon-zombies-heads-to-steam | title=Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies heads to Steam | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | first=Wesley | last=Yin-Poole | date=August 7, 2014 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411122215/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-08-07-counter-strike-nexon-zombies-heads-to-steam | archive-date=April 11, 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> developed on the [[Software:GoldSrc|GoldSrc]] game engine.<ref name="gamestar_nexon">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/counter-strike-nexon-zombies/test/counter_strike_nexon_zombies,51495,3079645,2.html | title=Tod durch Untote | language=de | trans-title=Death by Undead | work=GameStar | page=2 | first=Stefan | last=Köhler | date=October 26, 2014 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630153903/http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/counter-strike-nexon-zombies/test/counter_strike_nexon_zombies,51495,3079645,2.html | archive-date=June 30, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref> On September 23, 2014, an open beta was released on Steam.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-09-23-heres-a-quick-look-at-counter-strike-nexon-zombies | title=Here's a (very) quick look at Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | first=Wesley | last=Yin-Poole | date=September 23, 2014 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730201445/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-09-23-heres-a-quick-look-at-counter-strike-nexon-zombies | archive-date=July 30, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref> The game launched on October 7, 2014, featuring 50 maps and 20 game modes.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/counter-strike-nexon-zombies-ambles-onto-steam-today/ | title=Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies ambles onto Steam today | work=PC Gamer | publisher=Future Publishing | first=Shaun | last=Prescott | date=October 7, 2014 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529055717/http://www.pcgamer.com/counter-strike-nexon-zombies-ambles-onto-steam-today/ | archive-date=May 29, 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref>  The game features both [[Software:Player versus player|player versus player]] modes such as team deathmatch, hostage rescue, and bomb defusal; and [[Software:Player versus environment|player versus environment]] modes such as cooperative campaign missions and base defending.<ref name="rps_nexon" /> Reception from critics was generally negative, with criticism aimed at the game's poor user interface, microtransactions,<ref name="rps_nexon">{{cite web | url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/09/25/counter-strike-nexon-zombies-open-beta/ | title=Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies Shambles Into Open Beta | work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun | first=Alice | last=O'Connor | date=September 25, 2014 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723093102/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/09/25/counter-strike-nexon-zombies-open-beta/ | archive-date=July 23, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref> and dated graphics.<ref name="gamestar_nexon" /> On October 30, 2019, ''Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies'' was renamed to ''Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio''.<ref name="steamdb">{{cite web | url=https://steamdb.info/app/273110/history/?changeid=7115130 | title=Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio | work=SteamDB | access-date=May 3, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503200435/https://steamdb.info/app/273110/history/?changeid=7115130 | archive-date=May 3, 2020 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Competitive play==
{{main|Software:Counter-Strike in esports}}
''Counter-Strike'' has over 20 years of competitive play beginning with the original ''Counter-Strike''. The first major tournament was hosted in 2001 at the Cyberathlete Professional League. Cyberathlete Professional League, along with World Cyber Games and Electronic Sports World Cup were among the largest tournaments for the ''Counter-Strike'' series until 2007. Since 2013, Valve have sponsored ''Counter-Strike: Global Offensive'' Major Championships with large prize pools and have become the most prestigious tournaments in [[Software:Counter-Strike: Global Offensive|CS:GO]].<ref name="espo_Espo"/><ref name="blog_AneS">{{Cite web| title = An eSports phenomenon: Counter-Strike| author = Llewellyn, Thomas| work = National Science and Media Museum| date = September 17, 2018| access-date = December 27, 2019| url = https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/counter-strike-esports/}}</ref>

==Reception==
''Counter-Strike'' is considered one of the most influential first person shooters in history. The series has a large competitive community and has become synonymous with first person shooters.<ref name="espo_Espo">{{Cite web| title = Esports Essentials: The Legacy of Counter-Strike| author = Mitchell, Ferguson| work = The Esports Observer | date = September 4, 2018| access-date = January 13, 2020| url = https://esportsobserver.com/how-esports-works-counter-strike/}}</ref> {{As of|2011|August}}, the ''Counter-Strike'' franchise has sold over 25 million units.<ref name="Eddie Makuch">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-global-offensive-firing-up-early-2012/1100-6328645/ |title=Counter-Strike: Global Offensive firing up early 2012 |author=Makuch |date=August 12, 2011 |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. |access-date=August 13, 2011|first = Eddie|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140316052004/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-global-offensive-firing-up-early-2012/1100-6328645/|archive-date = March 16, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref> Because of its popularity ''Counter-Strike''  has attracted considerable academic attention. Researchers have used data from ''Counter-Strike'', among others, to examine the mood of players,<ref name="Behnke et al. 2021">{{Cite journal|last1=Behnke|first1=Maciej|last2=Chwiłkowska|first2=Patrycja|last3=Kaczmarek|first3=Lukasz D.|date=2021|title=What makes male gamers angry, sad, amused, and enthusiastic while playing violent video games?|journal=Entertainment Computing|volume=37|pages=100397|doi=10.1016/j.entcom.2020.100397|doi-access=free}}</ref> performance of obese players,<ref name="Parshakov et al. 2022">{{Cite journal|last1=Parshakov|first1=Petr|last2=Naidenova|first2=Iuliia|last3=Assanskiy|first3=Arthur|last4=Nesseler|first4=Cornel|date=2022|title=Obesity and individual performance: the case of eSports|journal=International Journal of Obesity|volume=46|pages=1518–1526|doi=10.1038/s41366-022-01142-y|doi-access=free}}</ref> or performance changes since the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.<ref name="Nesseler & Shtrum 2024">{{Cite journal|last1=Nesseler|first1=Cornel|last2=Shtrum|first2=Viktor|date=2024|title=War and Esport: The Russian Invasions Impact on the Performance of Ukrainian and Russian Professional Players|journal=Games and Culture|pages=1–19|doi=10.1177/15554120231224513|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}


[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:Tactical shooter video games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Counter-Strike}}