Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) was officially released on August 21, 2012, by Valve Corporation. The game launched simultaneously on multiple platforms including Windows PC, Mac OS X, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

Before its official release, CS:GO went through several beta testing phases. The closed beta began in November 2011, with limited access given to professional Counter-Strike players and selected community members. The public beta started in August 2012, just weeks before the game's full launch.

The initial release price was set at $14.99, making it accessible to both new players and veterans of the Counter-Strike series. On December 6, 2018, Valve made CS:GO free-to-play, significantly expanding its player base.

Here are the key dates in CS:GO's release timeline:

November 2011: Closed beta begins
August 2012: Public beta launches
August 21, 2012: Official release
December 6, 2018: Transition to free-to-play model

CS:GO was developed as a collaboration between Valve Corporation and Hidden Path Entertainment, building upon the success of previous Counter-Strike titles. The game represented a significant upgrade from Counter-Strike: Source, featuring improved graphics, new game modes, and updated mechanics while maintaining the core gameplay that made the series popular.

Since its release, CS:GO has received regular updates and has grown to become one of the most popular competitive first-person shooters in the world, with millions of active players and a thriving esports scene.

The game has maintained its popularity for over a decade, and in March 2023, Valve announced Counter-Strike 2, the next evolution of CS:GO, which would eventually replace the original game.

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