Valve's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) debuted in 2012, backed by a strong heritage of multiplayer FPS titles, including the original Counter-Strike and Counter-Strike: Source. Now, six years later, the fast-paced PC game still mostly holds its own against more modern titles, partly because of its established core gameplay and active community. Visually, however, CS: GO is starting to show its age and it's not as thematically rich as other popular titles, such as Overwatch. Still, many players will enjoy CS: GO's no-frills experience and competitive scene, especially now that it is free to play.

So, how does CS: GO retain its prominent role in an industry that has diversified considerably since 2012? A big part of its success is due to its massive esports following. It's always among the top titles streaming on Twitch and Mixer, and it benefits from a well-established (and financially lucrative) competitive scene. The game even includes a dedicated Watch section so you can follow and