The popular shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is free to play on Steam, but optionally offers a Prime status for a fee. However, with a new change, developer and publisher Valve has now decided: Free2Play players lose many features.
What features are those? Since December 2018, CS:GO has been free for everyone to play – previously there was a one-time fee. Free2Play players had access to all the game’s content, but “Prime” players received special matchmaking and rewards.
Now, however, the content for players of the free version has been cut. Those who have not purchased CS:GO can now:
- no longer rank up
- receive no drops (rewards) anymore
- will not be assigned to any skill group anymore
- and no longer have the opportunity to earn the Prime path.
Especially ranked matches and rank are important for many players who want to showcase their skills. Ranked is one of the most popular modes.
Previously, it was possible to earn Prime benefits by reaching rank 21 in CS:GO. That is no longer possible either. The change went live with an update on June 3 and takes effect immediately.
What can Free2Play players still do? All Free2Play players can continue to participate in any game mode, but receive neither experience points nor ranks. These features are now exclusive to Prime players.
Additionally, Valve has introduced a new “Unrated” game mode with the update, where skill-based matchmaking still occurs, but no ranks are counted. Prime players can also play here according to ranked rules without ranking up or down.
Those who purchase CS:GO in the next two weeks, until June 17, will retain their earned rank. The change also does not affect players who have already earned Prime status before the update.
Change combats cheaters and trolls, players like it
Why was the change made? According to Valve, the Free2Play option was exploited too often to “cloud the experience of new and existing players” (via counter-strike.net). Apparently, there were too many toxic players, trolls, and cheaters who harassed other players.
This step is apparently intended to prevent honest players from being harassed further. However, since players who have previously earned Prime retain their status, it may take a while before the change actually shows an effect.
This is how players are reacting: The action is surprisingly well received by the CS:GO community. On Reddit, there is a thread with over 7,600 upvotes, where players discuss the decision (via reddit.com).
As user DeanGillBerry states: “This is just like Prime matchmaking used to be and how it should have always been. I wish there was another level of authentication through phone numbers, but that’s just a dream” (via reddit.com).
Apparently, cheaters were indeed such a big problem that this drastic step is well received. In the CS:GO Community Hub, for example, one user jokes: “Thanks, Valve, for making the cheaters and farmers cry. The whole forum is full of people crying” (via steamcommunity.com).
However, cheaters are not the only difficulty that CS:GO currently faces. Fraudsters are also becoming widespread in the now 9-year-old game. They are now so organized that even large US authorities assist Valve in the fight:
The FBI is now investigating CS:GO – Fraudsters are now “significantly more organized”
