2015 MLG X Games Aspen Invitational

2015 MLG X Games Aspen Invitational

22 Jan 2015 -

This Friday, CS:GO heads to Aspen for the 2015 Winter X Games!

FRIDAY	Broadcast begins @ 11:00 AM
SATURDAY	Broadcast begins @ 11:00 AM
SUNDAY	Broadcast begins @ 10:00 AM

(all times are MST)

 

Full Spectrum

8 Jan 2015 -

Happy new year, CS:GO fans! Today’s update includes several gameplay adjustments, along with the release of the all new Chroma Case.

 

Re-introducing Train

10 Dec 2014 -

Train is back, available for all CS:GO players right now as part of the Operation Vanguard Map Group!

In addition to the return of a classic map, today’s update includes a host of gameplay adjustments. Head into the game and check out what’s new!

ESL One Katowice 2015

CS:GO Major Tourney At ESL One Katowice 2015
CS:GO’s Fifth Consecutive $250k Major Returns to Katowice
January 24, 2015 – Valve today announced a $250,000 prize pool for the CS:GO tournament at ESL One Katowice 2015.
Taking place at the Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland from March 12-15, the upcoming Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament will feature the eight quarter-finalists from DreamHack Winter 2014. They will be joined by eight teams to be determined through upcoming qualifiers. All of the matches will be streamed live via continuous high-quality coverage provided by ESL.
For the first time, the tournament qualifiers will take place offline at a special LAN event, with funding for both the event and travel support for all participating teams provided by Valve.
CS:GO Major tournaments draw record-breaking audiences, with more than 500,000 concurrent viewers watching the Grand Finals at DreamHack Winter 2014. Last year witnessed explosive growth for CS:GO, with player numbers growing by more than 250% and content contributors grossing more than $3.5 million dollars selling their items and maps for the game.
Valve is the creator of game technologies (Source, Steam) and numerous best-selling game franchises (Counter-Strike, Dota 2, Half-Life, Portal, and Team Fortress).
For more information about CS:GO, please visit: http://blog.counter-strike.net/
For more information about ESL One Katowice 2015, please visit: http://www.esl-one.com/csgo/katowice-2015/

Integrity and Fair Play

Recently, allegations of match fixing in the Cevo Season 5 match between iBUYPOWER and NetCodeGuides.com came to our attention. The details are in this DailyDot article: http://www.dailydot.com/esports/match-fixing-counter-strike-ibuypower-netcode-guides/
We can confirm, by investigating the historical activity of relevant accounts, that a substantial number of high valued items won from that match by Duc “cud” Pham were transferred ( via Derek “dboorn” Boorn ) to iBUYPOWER players and NetCodeGuides founder, Casey Foster.
All together, the information we have collected and received makes us uncomfortable continuing any involvement with these individuals. Therefore we will be directing our CS:GO event partners to not allow any of the following individuals’ participation in any capacity in Valve-sponsored events:
Duc “cud” Pham
Derek “dboorn” Boorn
Casey Foster
Sam “Dazed” Marine
Braxton “swag” Pierce
Keven “AZK” Larivière
Joshua “Steel” Nissan
Professional players, their managers, and teams’ organization staff, should under no circumstances gamble on CS:GO matches, associate with high volume CS:GO gamblers, or deliver information to others that might influence their CS:GO bets.
In 2014 we witnessed the explosive growth of CS:GO as a competitive eSport, and 2015 has already started strong. But as CS:GO grows, it’s important to consider the substantial impact an individual professional Counter-Strike player has on the health and stability of their sport. Performing before an audience of millions of fans, they are ambassadors for their game – the strength of professional Counter-Strike comes from the integrity of its players and teams.

Map Data

We’re always looking for ways to make better decisions using data. We previously posted map balance data, and it’s time for an update! Below you’ll find some current statistics for the Active Duty map pool.
Some maps, like Dust2, have not changed much since our previous post. Others, like Cobblestone and Overpass, have changed dramatically. Check out the results below, and let us know what you think!

OVERALL ROUND OUTCOMES

The round results below show the likelihood of the T (orange) or CT (blue) side winning a round, using data collected over the past month from the highest skill groups in competitive matchmaking.
Click here for a full dataset that breaks down each map by skill group.

Overall round outcomes are a broad first-pass, but we can already see some interesting trends – Dust2, Cache and Cobblestone tend to produce similar results.

OBJECTIVE ATTEMPTS AND ROUND OUTCOMES

Overall round outcomes don’t tell us much about what happens in an individual round. To find out how the T and CT side got their wins, we can break down rounds based on whether or not a bomb was planted.
Click here for a full dataset that breaks down each map by skill group.

And now some differences emerge. Dust2 and Cache still look fairly similar, the bomb is planted in nearly half of all rounds, though CTs tend to defuse more often in Cache. In Cobblestone, the bomb is planted far less frequently (in this respect, Cobblestone is more similar to Nuke), but is protected by the T-side very effectively.
We’ll continue to share data as we make further adjustments to maps in CS:GO. Take a look, and let us know what you think!

Operation Vanguard Extended

Great news for all Operation Vanguard fans!
We’re extending the operation until the end of March, so everyone still has a chance to enjoy all of the Operation Vanguard maps and missions.
Want to pick up an Operation Vanguard pass? They’re currently half-price, and passes will no longer be sold after the end of this week.

Smoke screen

Charging through a smoke? You’ll notice some changes in today’s update, along with several tournament spectating adjustments ahead of ESL One Katowice!

ESL One Katowice Qualifier

This Saturday and Sunday, 16 teams will fight for the eight remaining Challenger slots to join the eight Legends at ESL One Katowice 2015.
Taking place in Katowice, the LAN qualifier event will feature a colorful mix of both invited and online-qualified teams from around the world. Click here for the full list of participating teams.
Don’t miss a minute, head to ESL-One.com for updates on the teams, tournament, streams, and more!

Challenge Accepted

The qualifiers have ended and the roster is complete. Congratulations to the Challengers, who battled through last weekend’s offline qualifier and will be joining the Legends at ESL One Katowice 2015!

Katowice 2015 Pick’Em Challenge

Now that the groups have been set, it’s time to make some tough decisions. Who will make it to the Playoffs? Who will win it all? You can start making your predictions right now with the Katowice 2015 Pick’Em Challenge!

To participate in the Pick’Em Challenge, all you need is a Katowice 2015 team sticker. In addition to serving as game pieces, a portion of the proceeds from sticker sales go directly to the teams competing in the Katowice 2015 CS:GO Championship!
ESL One Katowice 2015 is just weeks away, so stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the event!

Linking with Twitch

Next week, the top CS:GO teams will meet in Katowice to battle for their share of a $250,000 prize pool, and all viewers have a chance to receive souvenir packages to commemorate the event.
To be eligible for a souvenir package, all you have to do is watch matches in-game via GOTV on the main-menu WATCH tab, or watch your favorite Twitch stream with a linked account. If you’re at the live event, can use the official ESL Katowice app to have a chance to receive a souvenir.

Are you heading to Poland for ESL One Katowice 2015? Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase collectible CS:GO pins, each of which come with a virtual version you can show off on your CS:GO profile and in the scoreboard. They will be available on-site at the Katowice event, so trade your pins with other attendees and collect all eleven!

ESL One Katowice 2015

They’ve proven themselves in prior majors, battled through online and offline qualifiers, and prepared for months. Sixteen teams have arrived at ESL One Katowice 2015, where they will soon battle for their share of a $250,000 prize pool and their place in CS:GO history. They’re ready for Thursday’s group stage, are you?
You can watch every match on GOTV, or on Twitch with a linked Steam account, and you’ll have a chance to receive a souvenir package commemorating the tournament.
Have a favorite team? You can show your support by purchasing their ESL One Katowice 2015 team sticker, or by purchasing a Legends or Challengers capsule containing holographic and foil versions of the teams’ stickers.
Don’t forget – team stickers also serve as game pieces for the Katowice 2015 Pick’Em Challenge. Make sure your picks are set each day as the tournament progresses for your chance at a gold Pick’Em trophy!

ESL One Katowice 2015: Quarter-Finals

After a hard-fought group stage, eight teams remain. Don’t miss a minute, watch the quarter-finals get under way at 13:00 CET.
Follow the matches on GOTV or on Twitch with a linked account to be eligible for souvenir packages commemorating the event, and make sure to place your Katowice 2015 Pick’em Challenge picks before the matches begin!

ESL One Katowice 2015: On to the Finals

The last Quarter-Final match starts at 13:00 CET and leads into today’s Semi-Finals on the way to tomorrow’s Grand Finals.
Follow the matches on GOTV or on Twitch with a linked account to be eligible for souvenir packages commemorating the event, and make sure to place your Katowice 2015 Pick’em Challenge picks before the matches begin!

ESL One Katowice 2015: Grand Final

ESL One Katowice 2015 has reached the Grand Final, but only one team can walk away a champion!
Watch the Grand Final matches at 13:00 CET on GOTV, or on twitch with a linked Steam account and you’ll have a chance to receive a souvenir package commemorating the event.
There’s still time to support your favorite teams by purchasing their team stickers or the Legends and Challengers sticker capsules.

ESL One Katowice 2015: Champions

Congratulations to Fnatic for winning ESL One Katowice 2015 – making them the first team to repeat at a CS:GO Major Tournament! After defeating Ninjas in Pyjamas in a hard-fought best-of-three, Fnatic takes home the $100,000 Grand Prize.
If you missed any of the matches or want to watch highlights, you can download all of the ESL One Katowice matches in the WATCH menu.
We’d like to thank all of the teams, everyone at ESL, and the Counter-Strike community for making this tournament such a great success!

ESL One Katowice 2015: Infographic

ESL One Katowice 2015 was a huge success thanks to the ever-expanding CS:GO community. Over a million of you tuned in for the Grand Final and watched as Fnatic took the $100,000 Grand Prize!
ESL has assembled the infographic below, packed with facts and highlights from the tournament.
What was your favorite moment? If you missed any of the matches or want to watch highlights, you can download all of the ESL One Katowice matches in the WATCH menu.

Vanguard comes to a close

It may be the end of Operation Vanguard, but today’s update is packed with features that will give every player something new to try. Click here to read more.
The Active Duty map pool has been updated to include Train, and Nuke has been moved to the Reserves. Meanwhile, there are quite a few adjustments to maps, weapons, and tagging.
Not familiar with tagging? Read the guide, and choose your weapons wisely!

ESEA S18 LAN Finals

This weekend, four top European CS:GO teams will face off against four top North American teams for their share of a $200,000 prize purse at the ESEA Season 18 LAN Finals!
The action begins this Friday at 10:00am CST, and will be streamed live all weekend. Click here for a full schedule.

Chromatic Scale

We’ve updated today, with a few bug fixes and the all new Chroma 2 Case!
The Chroma 2 Case has a chance at a rare knife with one of the six finishes featured in the original Chroma Case.

The Hunter and the Hunted

It’s that magic time where spring prepares to give way to summer; a time for fun in the sun, vacations, friends, and of course… a brand new operation for CSGO!
New modes, campaigns, and bragging rights await you… welcome to Operation Bloodhound.

SOMETHING FOR NOTHING

The Global Offensive is ever changing, and with new conflicts comes new places to do battle… which you’ll get to experience FOR FREE.
Log – Cut down more than trees, as a long-ranged battle breaks out at a logging facility.
Rails – A decrepit rail yard becomes an industrial killing field in this night-time engagement.
Resort – Once a temple to excess and wealth, the luxurious Elysee Resort has been transformed into a high-stakes firefight.
Zoo – Terrorists have arrived at the Bay Area Zoo, and they didn’t come for the dolphin show.
Fan favorites Season and Agency are also making their triumphant return with Operation Bloodhound.

RANK HAS PRIVILEGE…

In addition to maps, all players will now have the ability to improve their Profile Rank by earning XP. As you increase your Profile Rank, not only will your CSGO profile evolve to show off your new title and icon; but the first time you rank up each week will earn you a weapon drop.

…BUT MEMBERSHIP HAS ADVANTAGE

Like the operations before it, The Operation Bloodhound Access Pass come with a challenge coin and journal to track your progress… however the addition of Profile Ranks calls for something extra special. By purchasing the Access Pass, your earned weapon drops are pulled from exclusive Bloodhound weapon collections (Cobblestone, Cache, Overpass, Gods and Monsters, The Rising Sun, and Chop Shop).

KILLER PERSONALITY

Also included in the Access Pass are two brand new campaigns: Marksman and Revolution… each campaign brings with it a unique story, exclusive co-op challenges, and plenty of opportunities to earn xp.

THIS IS A KNIFE

Each Falchion Weapons Case contains a chance at one of 16 community-created weapon finishes, as well as a chance to gain a new (and deadly) addition to the knife family: The Falchion. This wicked blade can only be found in this operation exclusive case.

ESL One Cologne 2015

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major Championship at ESL One Cologne 2015
CS:GO’s Sixth Consecutive $250k Major Returns to Cologne
June 3, 2015 – Valve today announced its next CS:GO Major Championship: ESL One Cologne 2015, featuring a $250,000 prize pool.
Taking place August 20 – 23 at the LANXESS arena in Cologne, Germany, the upcoming CS:GO tournament will follow the progress of the Legends of ESL One Katowice 2015, who will be joined by eight Challengers decided by offline regional qualifiers. The event’s matches will be streamed live via continuous high-quality coverage provided by ESL.
This event will mark the sixth Major Championship for CS:GO. The previous CS:GO Major Championships have all generated record-breaking audiences, with the most recent event (ESL One Katowice 2015) reaching over one million concurrent viewers for the Grand Finals.
With support provided by Valve, the CS:GO Major Championship at ESL One Cologne 2015 will showcase several new and special features, including the largest main stage in CS:GO history, multiple streams broadcasting every group stage match and playoff match, extensive behind-the-scenes footage featuring players and Counter-Strike personalities and—for the first time—offline regional qualifying events in Burbank (USA), Cologne (Germany) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
CS:GO fans will also have an opportunity to directly support their favorite teams by purchasing exclusive ESL One Cologne 2015 team stickers. At the previous CS:GO Major Championship at ESL One Katowice 2015, this crowd-funding approach generated more than $1.5 million for Legends and Challengers.
For more information about CS:GO, please visit http://blog.counter-strike.net
For more information about ESL One Cologne 2015, please visit http://www.esl-one.com/csgo/cologne-2015/

Overwatch Out of Beta

Since the launch of Operation Bloodhound, CS:GO players have been busy upgrading their Profile Ranks. What have you been fighting for? Find out below, along with adjustments to Overwatch, matchmaking, and commendations.

Service Medal

You’ve made it this far, but there’s still a long way to go.
When you become a Global General (that’s Rank 40), you’ll be given the opportunity to reset your Profile Rank. In return, you’ll receive the 2015 Service Medal, an inspectable display item that will be visible wherever your avatar is shown.

Matchmaking

Are you experienced? Starting today, players will need a specific Profile Rank before they will have access to Competitive Matchmaking. Right now, Competitive Matchmaking will become available when you reach Private Rank 3. We’ll continue to evaluate this restriction over time.

Overwatch Out Of Beta

Serving the CS:GO Community just got a bit more rewarding. Overwatch Investigators now have an opportunity to gain an XP reward by submitting a sufficient number of accurate verdicts while participating in Overwatch.
When you have a reward available, you’ll be notified in the Main Menu. Collect your reward by completing matches and earning XP in any official game mode.
Also, if one or more players you reported for cheating receives a ban, you will receive a notification.

Commendable Performance

Are you a natural leader? A great teacher? Just an all-around friendly player? In the scoreboard, you’ll find out who on your team has received the most commendations for each of those categories.

ESL ESEA Pro League Season 1 Finals

The top teams from Europe and North America are set to clash as the ESL ESEA Pro League reaches the end of its very first season.
The event kicks off Thursday July 2nd, with the first group stage match at 12:00 CEST, and culminates with the finals on July 5th. Attend the event live, or tune in to the Twitch.tv stream for coverage of the matches and more. Visit the ESL ESEA Pro League website for schedule, streams, and ticket information.

ESL One Cologne 2015 Qualifier News

Offline regional qualifiers for ESL One Cologne 2015 are still a few weeks away, but we’ll start narrowing down the list of potential Challengers this weekend.
Open qualifiers will take place June 27th and 28th, determining four slots for the North American and European offline regional qualifiers.
Which teams will manage to battle their way to Cologne? Stay tuned to find out!

Merchandise Workshop

Starting today, artists in the CS:GO community can turn their concepts and designs into real physical items that are produced and sold at the Valve Store, WeLoveFine.com, and various other brick and mortar retailers.
Contributors, head over to the Merchandise Workshop FAQ for information on how to submit your unique designs.
For everyone else, make your voice heard by visiting the Merchandise Workshop and voting for your favorite submissions. Once your votes are in, we’ll curate some of the top-rated entries and help bring the best items into production.
Looking for some CS:GO merchandise right now? We’ve just added a bunch of new CS:GO items to the Valve Store. There’s something for every occasion, so check it out and see what catches your eye!

ESL One Cologne Asia Qualifier

We’re just a month away from ESL One Cologne 2015, and while the Legends are ready, the Challengers have yet to emerge.
That all changes this weekend, as eight teams are set to clash at the offline qualifier in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They’ll be fighting for two slots at ESL One Cologne, as well as bragging rights for their entire region.
Watch the event live starting at 11:00 SGT (UTC +8) on Saturday and Sunday.
For information about schedules, brackets, and more, visit the Cologne 2015 Offline Qualifier page at ESL-One.com.

European Qualifier | CEVO/MLG Finals

Last weekend’s Asian Offline Qualifier produced our first two Challengers for ESL One Cologne. Congratulations to Renegades, and Team Immunity!
Who’s next? Four more Challengers will emerge from the ESL One European LAN Qualifier, so tune in Saturday and Sunday from 13:00 CEST (UTC+2) and root for your favorite teams. For schedule, brackets and more details on the ESL One Cologne European LAN Qualifier, click here.
Meanwhile, the best teams in North America are set to battle top European squads at the CEVO / MLG CS:GO Season 7 Pro League Finals! The group stage begins today at 23:00 CEST, with the deciding group matches on Saturday and playoffs on Sunday, both starting at 16:00 CEST.
For more details on the CEVO / MLG CS:GO Season 7 Pro League Finals, visit the viewers guide.

North American Qualifier

The Asian and European qualifiers have come and gone, and we’ve found six of our eight Challengers for ESL One Cologne 2015. Congratulations to Titan, Team eBettle, Kinguin, and Flipsid3, who will join Renegades and Team Immunity at the main event.
We now turn to the North American offline qualifier to find the remaining two Challengers. Which North American teams will complete the roster? Watch this weekend to find out!
For schedules, brackets, news, and more, head to the North American offline qualifier survival guide and the ESL One Cologne 2015 Qualifier page.

Cologne 2015 Pick’Em Challenge

ESL One Cologne 2015 may be a week away, but you have two ways to support your favorite teams and players right now!

Making Their Mark

Introducing the all new ESL One Cologne 2015 Player Autograph Stickers, available for purchase in-game or from the Steam Community Market. These stickers are autographed by professional CS:GO players, with 50% of the proceeds going to players and organizations.
You can also support your favorite team by purchasing ESL One Cologne 2015 Team Stickers in-game or from the Steam Community Market. Just like all previous team stickers, 50% of the proceeds from sticker sales go to the organizations.

Pick’Em Challenge

In addition to showing your support for your favorite teams, team and player autograph stickers serve as game pieces for the Team and Player Pick’Em Challenges, respectively.
In the Pick’Em Challenge, your goal is to score as many points as possible by correctly picking winning teams and top players as the tournament progresses. You’ll score points whenever you make a correct pick, and your scores for the Team and Player Pick’Em Challenges will be added together with your total score determining your reward.
What reward, you ask? You can earn a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Pick’Em Challenge Trophy by scoring 25, 50, or 75 points, respectively. Pick’Em Challenge Trophies are badges that are displayable on your CS:GO avatar and on your Steam profile. In addition to winning a trophy, you can compete with your friends on the Pick’Em Friends Leaderboard.
Stay tuned for more info as we march toward CS:GO’s biggest Major yet!

Cologne 2015: Linking with Twitch

We’re just days away from the start of ESL One Cologne 2015. Throughout the event, all viewers will have a chance to receive souvenir packages to commemorate the event.
In addition to stickers showcasing the event and teams playing in a match, each souvenir will also feature a golden signature from the MVP of the round where the souvenir dropped.
To be eligible for a souvenir package, all you have to do is watch! You can watch matches in-game, or watch your favorite Twitch stream with a linked account.
If you’re heading to Cologne for the main event, you’ll also have an opportunity to purchase collectible CS:GO pins, each of which comes with a virtual version that you can show off in the scoreboard and your CS:GO profile.
Have a favorite team or player? Show your support by purchasing their ESL One Cologne 2015 team sticker or autograph capsule! For each sticker sale, 50% of the proceeds go directly to the players and organizations. Those stickers also serve as game pieces for the Cologne 2015 Pick’Em Challenge. Don’t forget to make your picks each day as the tournament progresses for your chance at a gold Pick’Em trophy!

ESL One Cologne 2015: Group Stage

The stage is set. Sixteen teams are getting ready for Thursday’s Group Stage games. Four teams will advance to the quarterfinals today, and the remaining four teams to advance will be determined on Friday.
Throughout the event, all viewers will have a chance to receive souvenir packages to commemorate the event. To be eligible for a souvenir package, watch matches in-game, or watch your favorite Twitch stream with a linked account.
Have a favorite team or player? Show your support by purchasing their ESL One Cologne 2015 team sticker or autograph capsule! For each sticker sale, 50% of the proceeds go directly to the players and organizations. Those stickers also serve as game pieces for the Cologne 2015 Pick’Em Challenge. Don’t forget to make your picks each day as the tournament progresses for your chance at a gold Pick’Em trophy!

ESL One Cologne 2015: Quarter-Final

The championship hopes of eight teams have ended. Congratulations to the advancing teams who fill out Saturday’s Quarter-Finals bracket. Games begin at 1:45 pm CET (8:45 am EST, 5:45 am PST).
Follow the matches on GOTV or on Twitch with a linked account to be eligible for souvenir packages commemorating the event, and make sure to place your Cologne 2015 Pick’em Challenge picks before the matches begin!

ESL One Cologne 2015: Finals

We’re down to four teams, and soon will find out who will emerge as the ESL One Cologne 2015 CS:GO Champions! The Semi-Finals start at 11:45 am CET (5:45 am EST, 2:45am PST) with Team EnVyUs taking on Team SoloMid and returning Champions Fnatic in a match against previous Champions Virtus.pro. The Grand Finals begin at 6:45 pm CET (12:45 pm EST, 9:45 am PST).
Watch the matches on GOTV, or on twitch.tv with a linked Steam account and you’ll have a chance to receive a souvenir package commemorating the event. Win or lose, you can show support for your favorite players by purchasing their autograph and team stickers.

Fnatic Win!

Congratulations to Fnatic, who are now three-time CS:GO Majors Champions!
If you missed any of the matches or want to watch the highlights, you can download all the games from this and other tournaments in the WATCH menu.
We would like to thank all the teams, everyone at ESL One in Cologne, and the Counter-Strike community for making this tournament possible.
Photo courtesy of Helena Kristiansson.

Milestones

ESL One Cologne 2015 shattered every record, with over 1.2 million viewers tuning in on Twitch and GOTV for the Grand Final. Congrats again to Fnatic on their third CS:GO Major Championship win.
CS:GO fans had the opportunity to directly support their favorite teams and players and their response was unprecedented: thanks to crowd-funding with event stickers, the players and organizations received a total of over $4.2 million!
To celebrate the amazing event, and in honor of CS:GO’s third birthday, we’ve turned on party mode. Grab your friends, a Zeus or two, and have some fun!
Photo courtesy of Helena Kristiansson.

DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca

DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca

31 Aug 2015 -

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major Championship at DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca
CS:GO’s Seventh Consecutive $250k Major Heads to Romania
August 31, 2015 – Valve today announced its next CS:GO Major Championship at DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca, featuring a $250,000 prize pool.
Taking place October 28 – November 1 at the Sala Polivalentă arena, the upcoming CS:GO tournament will follow the progress of the Legends of ESL One Cologne 2015, who will be joined by eight Challengers decided by an offline qualifier. The five-day event will be streamed live via continuous high-quality coverage provided by DreamHack and PGL, with all matches featured on the official stream.
This event will mark the seventh Major Championship for CS:GO. The previous CS:GO Major Championships have all generated record-breaking audiences, with the most recent tournament (ESL One Cologne 2015) reaching over 1.2 million concurrent viewers during the Grand Finals.
For the first time at a CS:GO Major Championship, the eight Challengers will be determined at a studio and stage event – DreamHack Open Stockholm will be restructured to act as an offline qualifier. The qualifier will run from September 22-26, with the final matches played in the Annexet Stockholm Globe Arenas in front of a live audience.
With support provided by Valve, the CS:GO Major Championship at DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca will span five days and feature in-game streaming, behind-the-scenes footage of players and Counter-Strike personalities, as well as PGL’s unique media production. The broadcast will present opening day matches from a studio environment, with all remaining matches taking place on-stage at the 10,000 seat Sala Polivalentă arena.
CS:GO fans will also have an opportunity to directly support their favorite teams by purchasing exclusive DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca stickers. At the previous CS:GO Major Championship at ESL One Cologne 2015, this crowd-funding approach generated more than $4.2 million for players and organizations.
For more information about CS:GO, please visit http://blog.counter-strike.net
For more information about DreamHack Open, visit http://open.dreamhack.se

Merch Workshop – New Community Items!

4 Sep 2015 -

We launched the Merchandise Workshop a few months ago, and the first batch of community items are ready to go! Check out the new items below, all available right now at welovefine.com.

Speaking of community artists, have you seen the ongoing CS:GO mapping contest at mapcore.org? Reddit and Mapcore have identified the finalists, but the winner has yet to be revealed. Give the maps a try and send the mappers your feedback as they iterate on their designs.
And don’t forget, you can still find lots of new CS:GO Merch at the Valve Store!

Reanimated

This week we’re releasing a new player animation system for CS:GO. For a complete list of changes, click here.
The new system modernizes the player’s skeleton and hitboxes to better express at-a-glance exactly what your enemies and teammates are doing. We’ve upgraded all the existing body animations, and added some new ones like visible weapon deploys, bomb defusing, and ladder-climbing.

Upgrading classic maps and adjusting weapon balance are just some of the ways CS:GO is constantly evolving. We expect to continue iterating on animation in future updates, so jump into a game and let us know what you think!

Shadow Boxing

17 Sep 2015 -

Today’s update introduces the Shadow Case, featuring sixteen community designed weapons, along with a chance to contain the all new Shadow Daggers!

Most Valuable Kits

Today’s update includes Music Kits from a bunch of new and returning artists, with a twist – you can now purchase Music Kits that track your Official Competitive MVPs!
To show everyone in your match how often you’re the most valuable player, head to the CS:GO main menu and see if you’ve got a StatTrak Music Kit offer.
All of the music kits below will show up as either StatTrak or non-StatTrak offers in your main menu, so if you’re not interested in tracking stats and just want to change your tune, look for a non-StatTrak offer.