Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), released in 2012 by Valve, is one of the most influential and competitive FPS games in esports history. A tactical 5v5 shooter pitting terrorists against counter-terrorists, it revolutionized multiplayer gaming with its precise gunplay, strategic bomb/defuse mechanics, and skill-based economy system. Despite its simple premise, CS:GO's high skill ceiling and balanced gameplay spawned a massive professional scene with million-dollar tournaments. Regular updates and a thriving community marketplace for weapon skins kept it relevant for over a decade. Now rebranded as CS2, its legacy as the gold standard for competitive shooters remains unchallenged.