Fans expecting Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to announce a new battle royale mode got an extra gift on Thursday.
Not only did Valve, the parent company behind CS:GO, confirm the creation of battle royale game "Danger Zone," but the company announced that CS:GO -- the entire game and all modes -- is now free.
"CS:GO (now available for free) is the full game," the company said in a statement. "New CS:GO players will receive access to all game modes, matchmaking, and a limited set of item drops and weapon cases."
Prior to Thursday, the first-person shooter game was $14.99. Now, along with the free game, players can earn "prime status," which entitles them to "prime-exclusive souvenir items, item drops, and weapon cases," according to a statement. Players can achieve prime status by reaching Rank 21 or paying $14.99.
Players who already own the game automatically will be given prime status.
According to the announcement, "Danger Zone" is a "fast-paced battle royale game mode built on CS:GO's tactical gameplay where players use their wits, skill, and resources to fight to the finish."
Players will choose where to drop into Blacksite along with up to 18 players. They will search for equipment and money while watching the sky for special deliveries. As in other battle royale titles, players will need to navigate around a constantly shrinking zone. The main differences in "Danger Zone" are the limit of 18 players -- 16 for solo games -- and the lack of the popular four-player mode at launch.
All weapons will act the same and exact the same amount of damage as they do in typical CS:GO game modes, but fights will play out differently with players having 120HP in "Danger Zone," according to the developers.
-- Field Level Media