Counter-Strike Global Offensive just went free to play with the addition of it's all new Danger Zone Battle Royale mode. So Counter-Strike is going... Fortnite? Well, sort of, Danger Zone is a mode where you jump in to an area and fight it out with everyone else or in a squad but it's at a much smaller scale with each match having a max of 18 players. But much like Fortnite or PUBG, Danger Zone has you collect weapons and items to shoot it out with other players until the last gamer is standing.

As the update went live I downloaded CS GO to give it a shot and found the whole game download process and install to be fairly quick as the game is only about 17 gigs. After the game started it perfectly set itself up and I was in and playing an old school CS Dust 2 round with bots in no time. After playing the classic Counter-Strike I cut my teeth on in the early 2000's I decided to give Danger Zone a shot. Took me a handful of minutes to get into a match and after a few minutes of waiting around in a map for everyone to start, the game began. I collected a few items, some cash and had a drone deliver me an item I purchased. After picking up a few more items I had a tussle with another player and was killed handily by them. I wasn't the first person to die, but 12th.

After a couple more matches I'm happy Danger Zone is a new mode but more happy that Counter-Strike Global Offensive is now free. I'm kind of kicking myself for buying it a few years ago as I haven't really played much of it and for my usecase it makes more sense as a free to play game. That said, it's cool now that the base Counter-Strike game is free to play for anyone and it makes sense too as CS GO has had the micro-transactional lootbox to get weapon skins thing going for it for a long time. Plus it will be awesome to be able to play it with any of my friends regardless of if they own it.

"Introducing Danger Zone — a fast-paced battle royale game mode built on CS:GO’s tactical gameplay where players use their wits, skill, and resources to fight to the finish. Play solo, or work together as a squad of two or three!

CS:GO is now FREE TO PLAY

So there’s never been a better time to bring in your friends.

All players who played CS:GO before today’s update will receive a commemorative Loyalty Badge they can display on their profile. You were there from the beginning, so show it off! Additionally, all existing CS:GO players have had their accounts upgraded to Prime Status.

As before, Prime Status matches you with other Prime Status players. Additionally, your Prime Status will give you access to the new Souvenir MP5-SD | Lab Rats (available by earning XP while playing Danger Zone matches) and the all new Danger Zone Case.
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https://steamcommunity.com/games/CSGO/announcements/detail/1709576801693341616