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Ultimately, we’ve reached the tip of 2023, marking one of many greatest years in Counter-Strike historical past. By way of each the sport itself and its skilled scene, we’ve seen a outstanding quantity of progress, and the longer term appears brighter than ever.
However what made 2023 such a fantastic yr for Counter-Strike? Let’s take a more in-depth look.
The launch of Counter-Strike 2
In 2023, there was nobody second as impactful because the launch of Counter-Strike 2. Introduced with a Restricted Check in March, the sport changed CS:GO with a full launch in September.
Credit score: Daniel Morris
The announcement of the sport initially got here as an enormous shock. CS:GO was ticking alongside simply high-quality, and a sequel was definitely a dangerous transfer. All year long, we noticed CS:GO break quite a few participant information, as players flocked to arrange for the brand new launch. Hype for Counter-Strike had by no means been larger.
Submit-launch, the numbers naturally dipped slightly heading into the tip of the yr. CS2 isn’t fairly as feature-complete as CS:GO but, nevertheless it’s getting there. As soon as it’s as much as scratch, we anticipate to see Counter-Strike 2 shatter these information much more all through 2024.
Bulletins for the longer term
Valve made a couple of bulletins for the way forward for Counter-Strike esports in 2023. A very powerful was the affirmation that companion leagues can be banned from 2025, which means BLAST and ESL must re-evaluate their enterprise fashions going ahead.
Credit score: Valve
Whereas the adjustments gained’t take impact for a couple of years, there’s little doubt that it’ll show to be a monumental second in the way forward for Counter-Strike esports, and it was introduced in 2023.
The Winners of 2023
Throughout the Counter-Strike tournaments in 2023, we’ve seen a wide range of winners. Some groups have discovered higher consistency than others, with some discovering the very best of highs, adopted by the bottom of lows.
Credit score: Helena Kristiansson | © ESL
We needed to check out the most important event winners of 2023, and evaluate how they fared all year long general.
The primary winner of 2023 got here within the type of G2 Esports. In the beginning of 2023, the group appeared near-unbeatable, and appeared set to make this yr, their yr. Nevertheless, after IEM Katowice 2023, the group struggled for consistency, and it wasn’t till Cologne that they emerged on prime once more. For many groups, Katowice and Cologne in the identical yr is a unbelievable haul. However given how G2 appeared early within the yr, they’ll nonetheless see this as a disappointment in comparison with what may’ve been.
We’re going to throw Heroic, ENCE, and MOUZ into the identical class right here, with one win every in 2023. Heroic fell aside because the yr handed, whereas ENCE struggled to recover from the road in Grand Finals. Each these groups are actually residence to fully totally different rosters to their successful lineups, so it’s arduous to say how they’ll carry out in 2024. For MOUZ, the longer term is slightly brighter. Their ESL Professional League Season 18 win was a nice shock, and generally is a nice constructing block for the younger roster.
ESL:
- IEM Katowice 2023: G2 Esports
- ESL Professional League Season 17: FaZe Clan
- Intel Grand Slam Season 4: FaZe Clan
- IEM Rio 2023: Group Vitality
- IEM Dallas 2023: ENCE
- IEM Cologne 2023: G2 Esports
- ESL Professional League Season 18: MOUZ
- IEM Sydney 2023: FaZe Clan
BLAST:
- BLAST Premier Spring Remaining 2023: Heroic
- BLAST.television Paris Main 2023: Group Vitality
- BLAST Premier Fall Remaining 2023: Group Vitality
- BLAST Premier World Remaining 2023: Group Vitality
Credit score: Helena Kristiansson | © ESL
Then, there’s FaZe Clan. After a storming 2022, many anticipated them to dominate all through 2023. An early ESL Professional League Season 17 win was promising, and allowed them to see out the Intel Grand Slam. Nevertheless, their type slumped mid-year, and it wasn’t till Counter-Strike 2 was launched that FaZe Clan regained their mojo. Early within the new sport, they appeared on prime once more, mastering CS2 in a approach that others struggled. Be careful for FaZe in 2024.
Credit score: BLASTtv on Twitter
Final, however definitely not least, is Group Vitality. We’re calling them our huge winners of 2023 general. Their victory on the BLAST.television Paris Main 2023 was historic, changing into the ultimate CS:GO Main winners. They have been persistently close to the highest of the pack, regardless of shedding all of dupreeh, zonic, and Magisk at separate cut-off dates. The consistency to have the ability to change the roster so typically, but not lose a step was wonderful to look at. By the tip of the yr, Vitality have been dominant as soon as extra, successful out over FaZe Clan in two Grand Finals. Little doubt, Group Vitality is heading into 2024 because the group to beat.
The GOAT takes a break
Oh – one last item. The best CS:GO participant of all time, s1mple, has taken a break from aggressive play within the latter levels of 2023.
Credit score: Adam Lakomy | © ESL
He has had such an affect over time, and it’s unusual to see him out of the server. Let’s hope he can come again higher than ever in 2024!
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