A 2012 team-based tactical shooter focused on tight economy management, precise gunplay, and objective-based rounds between Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists.
- Developer: Valve, Hidden Path Entertainment
- Genre: Tactical first-person shooter (5v5)
- Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360 (2012); PC remained primary competitive platform
- Mechanics: Round economy and buys, bomb defusal/hostage rescue, recoil and spray control, utility (smokes, flashes, molotovs)
- Notable: Massive esports scene and skins economy, map staples like Dust II, long-term live service support (precursor to CS2)