Counter Strike: Global Offensive is one of the largest multiplayer games on Steam and attracts many players. However, in June, several thousand players dropped out. The loss of player numbers appears to be related to the introduction of a new feature. MeinMMO summarizes what this is about.
What is unusual about this? For several years, CS:GO has attracted hundreds of thousands of players every month, despite the game being released in 2012 and thus being almost a decade old. It is normal for player numbers to fluctuate over such a long period.
However, in June 2021, there was a drop of 17%. According to the Steam charts, CS:GO lost around 110,000 average active players in this month compared to May. The number fell from 659,888 average active players to 549,347.
Although there was already a drop of around 9% in May, the decrease in June was significantly higher. A trend could therefore be emerging. Such a high drop was last seen in April 2018, when CS:GO lost around 18% in one month.
This is the possible reason: The exact reasons for the decline in player numbers are unclear, but observers attribute the cause to a change regarding the Prime status of CS:GO. Because now it costs players something.
Players now have to pay for ranked modes
What is behind this? Since June 4th, players now have to pay 15 euros for their Prime status in CS:GO. The Prime status brings several advantages:
- Ranked matches
- Skill groups
- EXP for your profile
- Prime souvenir items
- Weekly graffiti and weapon cases
- Item drops
Players who had previously played CS:GO diligently were given time until June 17th to upgrade their profile to Prime status. Those who did not do this by that date lost all their experience points and their skill group. However, those who had already earned their Prime status were able to retain it. (via support.steampowered.com)
What remains for non-Prime players? They still have access to the content of CS:GO, but without the features mentioned above. Additionally, the Unranked mode has been introduced, which makes the Competitive, Wingman, and Danger Zone modes available to non-Prime players.
Consequently, there are no ranked matches, also no skill groups, and no EXP to collect. However, skill-based matchmaking still exists.
Prime as protection against cheaters, spammers, and smurfers
What is the purpose of Prime? Since December 2018, CS:GO has been free for everyone to play. Before that, players had to pay a one-time fee. Free-to-play players had access to all game content from that point on, but Prime players received special matchmaking and rewards.
It was also practical for verifying accounts and linking them to a phone number to filter out cheater, spammer, and smurf accounts. However, when CS:GO became free-to-play, Valve introduced a way to achieve Prime status through collecting experience points and missions.
This remaining method was often seen by players as a reason why there were still cheaters in CS:GO. Therefore, the new payment hurdle is now said to act as protection against cheaters, according to Valve (counter-strike.net).
We have already reported on the reactions to these changes, and thousands of players welcomed this change. However, it is likely that this is also the reason for the exodus of so many players.
What do you think? Have you dropped out for similar reasons? Or do you not see any special reason in the fluctuations? Discuss with us in the comments.
