Yes, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is free to play. Valve made the game free-to-play in December 2018, allowing anyone to download and play the base game through Steam without paying anything.

However, there are two different account types you should know about:

Non-Prime Status (Free)
- Complete access to all casual game modes
- Access to community servers
- Basic matchmaking
- Limited in-game drops
- More likely to encounter cheaters

Prime Status ($15)
- Access to competitive matchmaking
- Exclusive item drops
- Better matchmaking quality
- Reduced chances of meeting cheaters
- Access to operation passes

To get CS:GO, simply download Steam (Valve's gaming platform), create an account, search for CS:GO in the store, and click "Play Game." The download will start automatically, and you'll be ready to play once it's finished.

I recommend starting with the free version to see if you enjoy the game. If you become a regular player and want a better experience, you can upgrade to Prime Status later. The upgrade cost is fixed at $15, and it's a one-time purchase.

Remember that while the game is free, you'll need a decent computer to run it smoothly. The minimum requirements include 2GB of RAM, a 2.0GHz processor, and a DirectX 9-compatible graphics card with 256MB of memory.

To access the game's cosmetic features like weapon skins and cases, you'll need to make additional purchases through the Steam marketplace, but these are entirely optional and don't affect gameplay.

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