Default Positions

Lore & Background

The game pits two teams—the Counter-Terrorists and Terrorists—against each other in objective-based game modes. The most common objectives are bomb defusal and hostage rescue, each played on designated maps. Players begin with a knife and pistol, and they can purchase more advanced weapons and equipment with money earned through eliminating enemies or accomplishing goals. Once eliminated, players do not respawn until the end of the round.

In Their Own Story

The round timer hit zero. The spawn room on Mirage was silent save for the heavy breathing of five operators. 'Default,' the IGL called out, his voice steady despite the noise of the crowd in the arena. Instantly, the team split: two pushed toward A-site to secure the ramp and windows, while one took a deep mid control and another held B-long. They moved with practiced precision, weapons raised, eyes scanning every shadow. It was a dance they had performed thousands of times, a silent agreement that if anyone broke formation now, the round would be lost before the first shot was fired.

Reader's Guide

Each player begins with $800, two magazines of ammo, a knife, and a handgun: a Heckler & Koch USP for the Counter-Terrorists or a Glock 18c for the Terrorists. At the end of each round, players receive money for the next round: $3,500 for winning a round, $1,500 for losing one, and $300 for killing an enemy, up to a maximum total of $16,000. Players can be fined, or lose money, by killing a teammate or a hostage.

Did You Know?

• Minh Le and Jess Cliffe planned a game based on counter-terrorism in 1998 with development beginning the following year.
• The game started as a modification for Half-Life and gained significant popularity, attracting Valve, which acquired the intellectual property.
• Counter-Strike was released by Valve for Microsoft Windows in November 2000.
• The game has been called one of the most influential first-person shooters and noted for its realistic and tactical approach to counter-terrorism.
• The first subsequent installment was Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, a single-player campaign released in 2004.