5000 hours. Five... Thousand... *HOURS* in Counter Strike: Global Offensive. That is a disgusting number of hours and I refuse to believe I put that much time into a single video game... and of all games, why CSGO? I honestly thought I would've uninstalled the game long before I even reached a thousand hours, but there was something that made me keep coming back to it. I mean I don't play the game competitively anymore, well... I used to but that didn't go to well. Barely made it to Gold Nova 1 and after I reached that I considered dropping the game entirely, but I still continued playing. The game robbed me of my money, robbed me of my mental health and it felt like an absolute waste of time playing because I was almost never enjoying the game and it felt like I was not improving at all in any way. Why didn't I stop though? Why am I still playing to this day? Why even after I uninstalled the game FOUR times did I reinstall it again and again? I'll tell ya why, mate. *sips beer* ok... ... ...

... ok ok...

actually nvm I don't like how I'm writing this HAHAAAAAAAAAAAA. It sounds like I was gonna have some super deep, genuine answer with an inspiring message like "aww! csgo is discouraging and toxic but it motivates me to fight through the pain and become a better player reee", but that's garbage and corny af.

How bout this instead. CSGO is a FPS like no other (god that's cliche). It's *insanely* competitive... but at the same time, it's one of the most casual online games I've ever played. I honestly love that this game can be played in however way you want to play it. If you're feeling competitive and up for the challenge, Ranked is always there for you to try out. I do recommend a full 5 man lobby (all with prime status and with good trust factor to get the best chance of versing legitimate players) and not risking even a single random on your team if you're planning on taking competitive seriously and are aiming for the high ranks. On the other hand, if you're not too fussed with competitive, looking for a more laid back experience and just want to hop on into a game every once in a while, then Casual is perfect for you. This may be different for other regions, but I've met some absolute legends through CS Casual like seriously, some of the most amazing people out of any online game I've ever played. These guys are the reason I stick around and they honestly make the game a million times better. Just fun, positive and genuinely wanna have a good time. Obviously you will get the occasional toxic ♥♥♥♥♥♥ that will try and ruin your day (as to be expected in pretty much any online game ever, even in Casual gamemodes) but the mute button is always there and ready to use.

That's not even the only reason why I stick around in CS either. There are so many other custom community gamemodes that I've sunk several hours into such has Hide & Seek (Prop Hunt), Surfing, BHOP, Deathrun, Zombie Mode ect ect. If you're looking for something different from Bomb Defusing, Hostage Rescuing, or Gun Shooting, then give any of these modes a go.

Some Advice:
#1. DO NOT UNBOX, EVER!
Unless you're feeling lucky one day and want to unbox maybe one or two cases (even then I don't recommend it), but if you're trying to unbox to build up an inventory, just by the skins you want instead.
#2. YOU WILL HAVE BAD DAYS!
No matter how many hours a day you play, no matter how experienced you are at CS, there will always come a day where the game will absolutely kick your ass in. Take breaks and chill tf out. Maybe try a different gamemode if whatever you're playing isn't working out at the time. I also do think maybe trying out different play styles and using different weapons if one of the other isn't working out that day.
#3. CHICKENS!
There are Chickens in the game.
#4. QUEUE AS A *FIVE* MAN!
I'm kinda going back over what I said previously, but this one I really mean it if you ever consider playing ranked seriously. Even as a 4 man, I wouldn't risk queuing with ANY random teammates. If something happens to them, you're very unlikely to win a 4v5.
#5. SCAMS!
You will without a doubt run into at least one of these ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ eventually, especially through CS and ESPECIALLY if you're planning on building up an inventory. Just don't accept any friend requests you don't know and don't click or visit any shady links (hell... don't visit ANY links that someone randomly sends ya without context). If someone ever puts one on your profile. Delete it, block them and move on. If you are trading with anyone, make sure you actually know them and that it's actually THEM, not some fake account. Do your research, get Mobile Authenticator and keep your account and inventory safe.
#6. GET PRIME!
Honestly not worth playing the game for free (imo), even if you're playing Casually. There are cheaters in basically every non-prime lobby you join. The lobbies also seem to be a lot more toxic as well but I'm not sure if that's just me lol.
#7. TOXICITY!
Said this before as well, just mute them... simple as that.

Counter Strike: Global Offensive. I hate the game, but I also love it <3

5000 hours. Five... Thousand... *HOURS* in Counter Strike: Global Offensive. That is a disgusting number of hours and I refuse to believe I put that much time into a single video game... and of all games, why CSGO? I honestly thought I would've uninstalled the game long before I even reached a thousand hours, but there was something that made me keep coming back to it. I mean I don't play the game competitively anymore, well... I used to but that didn't go to well. Barely made it to Gold Nova 1 and after I reached that I considered dropping the game entirely, but I still continued playing. The game robbed me of my money, robbed me of my mental health and it felt like an absolute waste of time playing because I was almost never enjoying the game and it felt like I was not improving at all in any way. Why didn't I stop though? Why am I still playing to this day? Why even after I uninstalled the game FOUR times did I reinstall it again and again? I'll tell ya why, mate. *sips beer* ok... ... ... ... ok ok... actually nvm I don't like how I'm writing this HAHAAAAAAAAAAAA. It sounds like I was gonna have some super deep, genuine answer with an inspiring message like "aww! csgo is discouraging and toxic but it motivates me to fight through the pain and become a better player reee", but that's garbage and corny af. How bout this instead. CSGO is a FPS like no other (god that's cliche). It's *insanely* competitive... but at the same time, it's one of the most casual online games I've ever played. I honestly love that this game can be played in however way you want to play it. If you're feeling competitive and up for the challenge, Ranked is always there for you to try out. I do recommend a full 5 man lobby (all with prime status and with good trust factor to get the best chance of versing legitimate players) and not risking even a single random on your team if you're planning on taking competitive seriously and are aiming for the high ranks. On the other hand, if you're not too fussed with competitive, looking for a more laid back experience and just want to hop on into a game every once in a while, then Casual is perfect for you. This may be different for other regions, but I've met some absolute legends through CS Casual like seriously, some of the most amazing people out of any online game I've ever played. These guys are the reason I stick around and they honestly make the game a million times better. Just fun, positive and genuinely wanna have a good time. Obviously you will get the occasional toxic ♥♥♥♥♥♥ that will try and ruin your day (as to be expected in pretty much any online game ever, even in Casual gamemodes) but the mute button is always there and ready to use. That's not even the only reason why I stick around in CS either. There are so many other custom community gamemodes that I've sunk several hours into such has Hide & Seek (Prop Hunt), Surfing, BHOP, Deathrun, Zombie Mode ect ect. If you're looking for something different from Bomb Defusing, Hostage Rescuing, or Gun Shooting, then give any of these modes a go. Some Advice: #1. DO NOT UNBOX, EVER! Unless you're feeling lucky one day and want to unbox maybe one or two cases (even then I don't recommend it), but if you're trying to unbox to build up an inventory, just by the skins you want instead. #2. YOU WILL HAVE BAD DAYS! No matter how many hours a day you play, no matter how experienced you are at CS, there will always come a day where the game will absolutely kick your ass in. Take breaks and chill tf out. Maybe try a different gamemode if whatever you're playing isn't working out at the time. I also do think maybe trying out different play styles and using different weapons if one of the other isn't working out that day. #3. CHICKENS! There are Chickens in the game. #4. QUEUE AS A *FIVE* MAN! I'm kinda going back over what I said previously, but this one I really mean it if you ever consider playing ranked seriously. Even as a 4 man, I wouldn't risk queuing with ANY random teammates. If something happens to them, you're very unlikely to win a 4v5. #5. SCAMS! You will without a doubt run into at least one of these ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ eventually, especially through CS and ESPECIALLY if you're planning on building up an inventory. Just don't accept any friend requests you don't know and don't click or visit any shady links (hell... don't visit ANY links that someone randomly sends ya without context). If someone ever puts one on your profile. Delete it, block them and move on. If you are trading with anyone, make sure you actually know them and that it's actually THEM, not some fake account. Do your research, get Mobile Authenticator and keep your account and inventory safe. #6. GET PRIME! Honestly not worth playing the game for free (imo), even if you're playing Casually. There are cheaters in basically every non-prime lobby you join. The lobbies also seem to be a lot more toxic as well but I'm not sure if that's just me lol. #7. TOXICITY! Said this before as well, just mute them... simple as that. Counter Strike: Global Offensive. I hate the game, but I also love it <3