Which Counter-Strike game was released as a free-to-play title in December 2018?

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was released as a free-to-play title in December 2018. Valve changed the game’s business model during the December 6, 2018 update, allowing players to download and play it without buying the previous paid version.

The update also introduced Prime status, which was designed to separate players with verified access from the broader free player base. Prime eligibility was initially available through earlier ownership or progression, while the free-to-play transition substantially expanded the game’s potential audience.

Global Offensive had originally launched in 2012 as a paid release. Its later free-to-play shift helped support a much larger matchmaking and esports ecosystem. This fact is distinct from Counter-Strike 2’s later launch, because Global Offensive remained the active game when the pricing model changed.