Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) initially launched in 2012 at a price of $14.99. However, in December 2018, Valve made the game completely free-to-play, making the base game cost $0 to download and play.

When purchasing CS:GO before it became free-to-play, players would automatically receive what is now known as "Prime Status." After the switch to free-to-play, this Prime Status upgrade became available as a separate purchase for $14.99.

Here's a breakdown of CS:GO's pricing history:

• Original release (2012-2018): $14.99
• Current base game: Free
• Prime Status upgrade: $14.99

It's worth noting that while the base game is free, there are optional in-game purchases available:

• Operation Passes: Usually $15-20
• Weapon Cases: Varying prices
• Keys to open cases: Around $2.49 each
• Community Market items: Market-determined prices

The development cost of CS:GO itself was never officially disclosed by Valve. However, as a continuation of the Counter-Strike franchise, it built upon existing technology and game mechanics, likely keeping development costs relatively modest compared to other major game releases of that era.

For players today, the initial cost barrier has been completely removed, making CS:GO one of the most accessible competitive shooters on the market. The only required purchase is Prime Status if you want to play in ranked matches and receive prime benefits, which helps maintain competitive integrity and reduce cheating.

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