Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

A Revolutionary First-Person Shooter Series

Ever since the year 1999, a very innovative and fresh first-person shooter (FPS) has been evolving and revolutionizing the FPS genre, known as Counter-Strike (CS). Valve Corporation, the game company responsible for creating the game over the years, has released 3 follow-ups to the original Counter-Strike; Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (early 2004), Counter-Strike: Source (late 2004), and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (2012). 

The thing that makes CS so different from other, larger, more expensive shooters (*cough* Call of Duty *cough*) is that the gunplay feels more heavy and real, because the weapons have recoil patterns when you spray that create a sense of accomplishment when you defeat someone. Also the tactics needed to win in the competitive scene is much more advanced than in other shooters. Since you are only allowed 5 teammates on very small and complex maps, you must work with them to make sure that all of the areas are covered, so that sneaky-beaky players don't pull flanking maneuvers on you.

The newest game released in the series, Global Offensive (CSGO), contains the same core gameplay as past titles. The recoil, tactics, and map complexity have remained almost identical. The only things that have changed over the years is the graphics...and the craze for the competitive scene.

As I talked about in my last post about eSports, I used CSGO as an example for the popularity of online sports. A ton of people tuned in to watch their favorite professional players duke it out in Stockholm. The craze for competitiveness in this game is amazing, and I am just as caught up in it as anyone else. I spend hours playing game after game trying to improve my game sense and aim just to get ranked up in the game. I love the feeling that you get when you clutch a round, or even get a singular kill. The joy that overcomes you is immense, and I think that the game design plays a big role in that. I believe that the hours you put into something results in such joy when you complete it or overcome it, and that is what makes CSGO so addictive to players. When you beat someone, you feel like it was YOU doing it, and that is all you can as for from a game.

CSGO is a solid shooter that I would recommend to anyone starting off in the genre, or looking for a change from the mainstream shooters.

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eSports

Professional Players and eSport Competitions

In the last few years, the overwhelming popularity of video games have created the newest form of professional competition: eSports. There are many different games that hold tournaments and events that tons of people tune into to watch and play video games. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) is just one example of a growing eSport competition.

In the wake of the last major tournament in the CSGO season, Dreamhack Winter 2014, the craze for virtual sports has never been higher, as just under 400,000 people tuned in to watch. The tournament was filled with nail-biting action that make people like me clench their fists in disgust and jump in the air when their favorite team pulls off an amazing play. The 16 best teams in the world met in Stockholm, Sweden this November and competed for the $100,000 check and eSport glory that awaits the victor.

So how does that impact people who don't care about this form of sport?

Well, eSports is a sign that our world is becoming more and more technologically involved. Think about it, there is a community of people that is willing to pay players massive amounts of money to beat teams and win tournaments, while sitting at their computer. It is amazing to think about how the little swipe of a mouse or the tiniest stroke of a key can win you thousands of dollars. This is why the idea of professional video-gamers has taken hold. Individuals have made a living out of this lifestyle through forming teams and practicing day-in-day-out to improve their play as a unit and win tournaments in order to make money.

For people who say that eSports is not as influential as other sports, for instance football or basketball, I would respond by saying this: 

The generation that has created this scene is still very young (an "old" age in this sport would be 25-30). This means that in 10-20 years, the form of sport will span from 5 year olds to 50 year olds, thus creating a massive following of eSports ranging all across the age spectrum. I think that in 20 years, eSports will be just as popular as football and basketball, not just because of the following it will get, but the new technology that will come out by then will be amazing. Everyone will want to be a part of the technology craze, which will pave the way for even more creative and fun competitions to be conceived.

I love video games, and I am very excited to watch and play games with friends and connect with new people who share the same passion as I do. eSports is a wonderful new form of social competition that can unite people across the globe together on one playing field...compiled of pixels. 

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