The CSGO legacy version is what remains of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on PC. When Counter-Strike 2 launched, it did not sit beside CS:GO as a separate game. It replaced it. This article explains what happened to CS:GO at that point, what Valve kept available and what the legacy build is useful for today.
If you just want the steps to install it, see our companion guide on how to play CS:GO legacy. Here we focus on the history and the current status.
What happened on 27 September 2023?
Counter-Strike 2 launched on 27 September 2023. It took over CS:GO's place on Steam, including app ID 730. Players who opened the game now got CS2. CS:GO's official servers were taken offline, so official matchmaking for CS:GO ended that day.
Inventories were not lost. Skins, stickers, knives and other items carried over to CS2. Prime status carried over as well. Our guide to CS2 Prime status explains how Prime works now.
What is the CSGO legacy version?
Valve kept a CS:GO build available on Steam as a beta branch. On SteamDB, the branch is named csgo_legacy and described as a legacy build of CS:GO. Its last update listed there is 13 October 2023. In other words, the build has been frozen since shortly after the CS2 launch.
According to the Counter-Strike Wiki, official CS:GO was taken down except for community servers, which stay reachable through this legacy branch. Official support for Global Offensive ended on 1 January 2024.
What "end of support" means
End of support means Valve no longer updates or fixes the old game. Problems that appear later, for example with new hardware, drivers or online features, are not going to be patched. The build may keep working for a long time, but there is no guarantee. Treat it as an archive, not a live game.
Key dates for CS:GO's final chapter
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 22 March 2023 | CS2 announced, with a Limited Test for selected CS:GO players |
| 31 August 2023 | The Limited Test opens to all eligible CS:GO players |
| 27 September 2023 | CS2 replaces CS:GO on Steam and CS:GO official servers go offline |
| 13 October 2023 | Last listed update to the csgo_legacy branch on SteamDB |
| 1 January 2024 | Official CS:GO support ends |
Our article on the CS2 release history covers the earlier steps in more detail.
Why did Valve replace CS:GO instead of running both?
Valve has not published a detailed public explanation of every reason. What is clear is that CS2 was built on a new engine, Source 2, and that it kept the same app ID, store page and inventory system. Running both games side by side would have split the player base, matchmaking and the item economy. Anything beyond that is speculation, so we will leave it there.
What CS:GO features did not move to CS2?
Some parts of CS:GO only live on in the legacy build:
- Modes: Danger Zone and War Games were not carried over.
- Maps: Many official CS:GO maps were dropped.
- Achievements: CS:GO's in-game achievements were removed from CS2.
- Platforms: CS2 dropped macOS, DirectX 9 and 32-bit systems.
For a full comparison, read our CSGO vs CS2 differences guide.
What about console CS:GO?
The Counter-Strike Wiki notes that the Xbox 360 version of CS:GO remains online. That version was always separate from the PC game. CS2 itself is not on consoles.
Who still uses the legacy version?
The legacy build appeals to a few groups. Some players like the old maps or modes. Some community servers still run CS:GO-era game modes. Others use it to revisit old content, such as configs or older workshop maps. It is not a way to play official ranked CS:GO, because those servers are gone.
If you want community play in the current game instead, see our guide to CS2 community servers. For custom maps, our workshop maps guide explains how they work in CS2.
Sources and checks
Dates and status were checked on 1 November 2026 against the Counter-Strike Wiki's CS:GO page and the branch list on SteamDB.
Frequently asked questions
Is CS:GO gone forever?
Official CS:GO servers went offline when CS2 launched, and support ended on 1 January 2024. A legacy build is still available on Steam as the csgo_legacy beta branch.
Can I play CS:GO matchmaking in the legacy version?
No. Official CS:GO matchmaking ended when CS2 launched. The legacy version is for community servers.
Did I lose my CS:GO skins?
No. Inventories carried over to CS2.
