Where it all began.. | Counter-Strike

The game that sparked my obsession with first-person shooters!
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In 1999, two modders, Minh “Gooseman” Le and Jess Cliffe, created a modification for Half-Life. They wanted a tactical, team-based shooter where players took on the roles of terrorists and counter-terrorists, planting and defusing bombs, or rescuing and guarding hostages.

What started as a simple mod quickly exploded in popularity. Players loved the mix of strategy, skill, and realism, and soon Counter-Strike became the most-played online shooter on PC. Its maps—like Dust2—and its simple buy system turned into legends of gaming culture.

By 2000, Valve, the creators of Half-Life, officially hired Le and Cliffe, buying the rights and releasing Counter-Strike 1.0. This was the start of an esports revolution. LAN cafés around the world buzzed with tournaments, and Counter-Strike became the foundation of competitive FPS gaming.

Over the years, the franchise grew: Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (2004), Counter-Strike: Source (2004), and the massive hit Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (2012). CS:GO especially brought the game into modern esports, with million-dollar tournaments, iconic players, and a thriving skin economy.

In 2023, Valve launched Counter-Strike 2, upgrading the game with their new Source 2 engine—improving graphics, physics, and bringing the legendary shooter into a new era.

From a humble mod made by two passionate fans, Counter-Strike became one of the most influential and enduring competitive games ever made