Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Counter Strike Globabl Offensive official artwork.
Screengrab via Valve

Valve now charging for access to CS:GO Prime ranked matchmaking

Prime matchmaking is exclusively pay to play.

Three years after going free-to-play, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is revoking its free path to Prime matchmaking, as well as the drops, ranks, and skill groups that come with it. New players will now have to buy the Prime status upgrade from the Steam store for $15, Valve announced.

Recommended Videos

The change was introduced alongside the release of Unranked Competitive matchmaking, a feature that’s been widely demanded by the community for years. New free-to-play players can still play every game mode except for Ranked Competitive, but won’t earn XP, ranks, skill groups, or drops. They also won’t be able to activate bonus XP or claim service medals.

Prime was introduced as a way to authenticate accounts by tying them to a phone number to deter cheaters, spammers, and smurf accounts. But when CS:GO went free-to-play, Valve introduced a way for new players to earn Prime status by reaching level 21 via collection XP from missions and various game modes. Many have pointed to this “free path to Prime” as a reason why there are still a lot of cheaters in ranked matchmaking since the game went free-to-play.

Players who have already earned Prime status via the free-to-play track won’t have their Prime status removed, but all new players going forward will have to pay $15 for Prime.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson
VALORANT lead staff writer, also covering CS:GO, FPS games, other titles, and the wider esports industry. Watching and writing esports since 2014. Previously wrote for Dexerto, Upcomer, Splyce, and somehow MySpace. Jack of all games, master of none.