Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has also been playable for free with some restrictions since 2018. These differences to the so-called prime status are now being tightened by Valve. In the future Free2Play players no longer participate in ranked matchmaking and no longer earn Prime membership for free.
Valve explains the step by saying that the previous business model “Over time it has become an incentive for bad actors”
What is changing now
CS: GO can still be played for free, but with major restrictions. New players can still play any game mode, but no longer in the leaderboard. There are also no more skill groups, experience points and goodies earned for free counter-strikers.
Before that, it was possible to earn Prime membership yourself. From now on, this no longer works – if you want to play the ranking list, you have to buy CS: GO Prime.
It is important to know: If you upgrade to Prime as a Free2Play player within two weeks, you can keep your current skill group and XP. That must be done by June 18th.
New unrated games
CS: GO has also changed something for Prime players. A new Unranked-Playlist allows matches to be played without affecting the skill group. Your own classification also has no effect on the unrated gameplay. So here is a relaxed mode for practicing and having fun.
With the changes, Valve is also responding to long-term player criticism. Since the Free2Play start, the community has been irritated and feared an increase in cheaters. Accordingly, the new step in social networks (via Reddit) greeted by many players.
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