CS_History: MOD to GLOBAL ESPORT

Before Counter-Strike filled arenas and created international stars, it was a free Half-Life mod supported by a small development team and an enthusiastic online community. CS_HISTORY follows the game's evolution from its 1999 beta through 1.6, Source, Global Offensive, and Counter-Strike 2. Along the way, it revisits the tournaments, teams, players, scandals, and innovations that shaped the esport. From early LAN events and Valve-sponsored Majors to legendary dynasties, match-fixing, the skin economy, and the pandemic-era online circuit, the book covers the moments that defined each era. More than a record of winners, it explains how technology, business, and community culture transformed a mod into a global esport. Written for longtime fans and newcomers alike, CS_HISTORY preservs the story of a game that survived constant change without losing what made it exciting.