5000
2012.02.28 - 
Today we added 5,000 players to the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Beta. Our selection criteria this round was simple – we chose a group of players who represented the full range of survey responses. This way, everyone who filled out the survey had a chance to get access to the beta. The recipients will get the game added to their library and a key to gift to a friend.
The survey has been a great success so far, and we are seeing a wide range of players and skill levels. We will use the survey data to drive future selections as we continue to build the beta size in the coming months.
The best way to get into the beta is simple, fill out the survey (this will launch Steam).
Experiments
2012.02.24 - 
We just updated the CS:GO Beta today and changed the default map to Train. You can read all of the release notes here.
Besides the map fixes and changing the default map to Train, we are trying two changes in competitive mode: buyable defuse kits and splitting helmets and Kevlar.
We have been listening to your feedback on these subjects and want to experiment and collect data from both setups.
We have created a scenario for testing the change over the next few weeks that will allow us to capture its impact. We will share our findings with you when the experiment is complete.
The best way you can help us test the change is to play. This will generate the data that we need that will help us make smart decisions. Also make sure to give us feedback in the Steam forums and Twitter on your impressions of the changes. We will compare this feedback to the data we collect and then make a decision.
For this weekend, if you are in the Beta – we ask that you play de_Train. If you aren’t in the beta, make sure to fill out the survey (This will launch Steam). Early next week we will expand the Beta again by selecting players across all demographics from those who filled it out.
Survey
2012.02.22 -
Last week we launched the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Beta by giving 7,000 keys to current CSS and CS 1.6 players. Monday 2,000 keys went out to community sites around the world.
Today we are opening up our online survey to everyone. The next keys will be sent on the basis of this survey. If you don’t fill it out, you won’t be getting a key.
Over the coming months we will make selections from the survey participants. Sometimes we might add experienced players, other times new players. Sometimes 1.6 players, sometimes CSS players, sometimes people who have played neither.
There are no wrong answers to the survey questions.
Make sure to fill out the survey today; next week we will make our first selection from the survey.
We will also continue to give gift keys to active CS:GO beta players to share with their friends. Earning these keys is easy, hit quick match and play CS:GO.
Check back later this week for our analysis on the recoil change and a new update this Friday.
In case you missed it – here is a link to the survey.
Listening
2012.02.17 -
Tuesday’s Beta launch was great. We added more maps, more weapons, and over 7,000 more players. The update came with over 80 changes based on player feedback. If you missed the list, you can find it here.
One of those changes was about recoil.
Recoil is tricky. It isn’t just math. It’s also about feel and one of the defining parts of Counter-Strike. A few weeks back we had pro player Salvatore “Volcano” Garozzo by our offices and one of his biggest pieces of feedback he gave us was about recoil.
It was still too hard to control.
Fair enough. We made a minor adjustment to it for the release this past Tuesday.
Reviewing data, reading blogs and forums – it looks like it was too minor.
In today’s update, we have adjusted it again. Nothing is final in the Beta. We will keep making changes and adjustments based on player and pro feedback; so let us know what you think about today’s change.
We also heard your feedback about wanting to be in the beta. We wish you all could be playing but we aren’t ready yet; we need to grow the beta in stages.
For the next stage, this Tuesday, we are sending out over 2,000 additional keys to select Counter-Strike sites around the world. Make sure to look for the contests and giveaways.
We will continue to give out keys through steam, the upcoming survey, and an expanding list of community sites. And no, idling will get you nothing but a higher electric bill.
If you are in the Beta, we are going to mix it up this weekend. We are switching the map to Inferno. It will continue to be competitive mode – so don’t forget to buy some armor!
Welcome to Counter-Strike.net
2012.02.14 -
Today we are kicking off the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Beta. Players currently in the stress test will notice more maps, more weapons, and most importantly more players.
During this Beta, community feedback is really important to us. Counter-Strike has been around for 12 years and has been played by over 25 million players. We want to make sure to capture all of that experience and knowledge as we make Counter-Strike: Global Offensive the best version of Counter-Strike.
The most popular question we see posted, emailed, or tweeted is simple – how do I get access to the CS:GO Beta.
For us it is all about the community. Are you active in the community? Are you playing CS now? To reward the most active players, this week we are giving Beta access to the top 7000 active players around the world in CS:S and CS 1.6. We are also giving out additional keys to the top 500 players of CS:GO.
We also want to include the community at large so we are reaching out to prominent community sites and giving them keys to distribute to their communities over the coming weeks.
While we aren’t ready to give everyone access right now. We do have plans to get more people in the Beta. To help us select the next batch of players, we will be releasing a short survey in a few weeks that you can fill out and get on the list for a Beta key.
The first round of testing has already given us some great feedback. Today’s release has some changes we made based on that feedback. So keep it coming, CS:GO isn’t done.
Over the coming months we will begin to regularly share some of the data we collect from the game. Are maps balanced? Does the balance change based on player’s skill level? What strategies win the most often? What weapons perform the best on what maps? Sharing this data will help you understand our choices and changes. Let us know what data you would like to see.
So to all players currently playing Counter-Strike and to all of those who will be playing in the future,
Thanks,
The CS:GO Team
