What is Counter-Strike?
Counter-Strike was released in 1999 and has been a staple in the gaming community for years. It is a popular, dynamic, and competitive shooter game that offers an engaging experience for players who enjoy overcoming tactical challenges in cooperation with friends.
Understanding the basics of the game, you can better appreciate why your child is drawn to this game and how it fits into their gaming interests.
The game is mostly known as an online shooter game with a high degree of realistic violence and war scenes. Parents often worry if their child is attracted to a game that can appear to be only about shooting and killing people. However, that is rarely the case. So, why is Counter-Strike so popular among gamers, then?
What some miss to see is that this game is also an online space for teams of friends to meet up to compete against each other. Even if players are not physically together, they are in constant communication during the game, and great teamwork is essential for the team to have a chance of winning. This social aspect of the game is by far the main reason for its popularity.
Solo play is possible for players who prefer to be teamed up with strangers. This can be an option for players who might not have a team of friends of their own or simply want to enjoy a game now and then, without the commitments and planning involved in building a team.
However, many gamers report that it’s the social experience; the conversations with friends during the game and winning battles together, that makes them come back again and again.
Whether you are strategizing with friends or joining solo play to hone your skills and meet new people, Counter-Strike provides a platform for exciting competition and teamwork. For this reason, it’s also a popular game in the world of esports.
The popularity of this game can make it attractive for kids of any age, and many parents may be wondering, ‘Should my kid play Counter-Strike?’
However, when it comes to the child-friendlyness of the game, the Counter-Strike age restriction is set for a reason.
Because of the element of war and violence in this shooter game, the active communication among players, and the fact that it’s often played online with strangers, players need a certain level of maturity to handle the challenging experiences they might encounter in the game.
What type of game is Counter-Strike?
Counter-Strike falls into the category of a first-person shooter (FPS) game. It’s set in a realistic war setting, with characters dressed for combat moving through a more or less war-torn scenery.
The game pits two teams against each other: terrorists and counter-terrorists. The primary objective for each team varies depending on the game mode, but it generally involves completing specific missions or eliminating the opposing team by killing them.
Counter-Strike offers intense gameplay that relies on the teams' cooperation, skills, and strategy. The game’s competitive nature and fast-paced action appeal to players who enjoy tactical challenges and teamwork. Success in Counter-Strike requires good communication, strategic planning, and quick reflexes.
How do you play Counter-Strike?
The Counter-Strike game rules are centered around players being divided into two teams: the Terrorists (T) and the Counter-Terrorists (CT). Each team has distinct objectives.
The Terrorists typically aim to plant a bomb at designated sites or hold hostages. While the Counter-Terrorists work to prevent the bomb from being planted or defuse it if it has been planted. They also attempt to rescue hostages if needed.
Players start each round with limited money, which they can use to purchase weapons, ammunition, and equipment. Success in each round earns players money to buy better gear in subsequent rounds.
Counter-Strike is primarily played on PCs, as it was originally designed for the platform. Today, there are different versions of Counter-Strike, ranging from the classic original version to the latest refined and upgraded version, with more detailed and realistic graphics and gameplay.
It is primarily a multiplayer game, meaning players usually team up with others online. It’s mostly used for social play, allowing friends to join the same team or compete against each other.
Players can also join public servers to compete with strangers or participate in ranked matches where they can improve their skills and climb the leaderboards. For this reason, it is one of the more popular games in international esports competitions.
Is Counter-Strike free to play?
The game itself is free to access and play. However, there are plenty of options for in-game purchases to upgrade the aesthetics of the game character. The active skin-trading scene is one example.
Additionally, to play the game successfully, the quality of the gaming equipment, computer software, and internet speed is important. Not having the proper accessories or software for speed, precision, and communication can greatly influence the game experience and the team’s ability to win.
Is Counter-Strike appropriate for kids?
Counter-Strike age rating is rated M for Mature by the ESRB, which means it is recommended for players aged 17 and older. The game’s content, including realistic violence and online interactions, is intended for a mature audience.
However, the game is still popular among kids, and it’s not uncommon for kids as young as 10 years old or younger to enjoy the game with their parents' consent.
This can be something to be aware of on playdates. Parents might view the appropriate age limit of this game very differently, and consequently, your child might encounter this game on playdates or in other settings.
Likewise, if you allow your child to play games rated above their age, it’s a good idea to check with the parents of the kids visiting you, if they are comfortable with these games.
What to be aware of
‘Is Counter-Strike safe for kids?’ This is a common concern of parents. As mentioned above, it can vary greatly between families if Counter-Strike is considered child-friendly.
However, there are a few dangers of playing Counter-Strike that parents should be aware of.
Violence:
The game involves realistic shooting and combat scenes with bloody injuries, which can be intense for young children to watch. Players use various weapons and explosives to defeat opponents, and the first-person perspective of the player can make the experience of shooting and killing people very realistic.
Online interactions:
As a multiplayer game, Counter-Strike includes communication with other players, which can sometimes lead to exposure to inappropriate language or behavior, depending on the server and the other players.
Some players experience a toxic tone in the communication or even bullying. It can be hard for parents to know what to do if their child is experiencing cyberbullying, so we have collected all the advice you need as a parent on cyberbullying to help your child.
This can especially be the case for female gamers, who altogether have a higher risk of experiencing negative interactions in the gaming world.
Additionally, there is always a risk in any online setting where kids interact with strangers, since not all have good intentions.
Time management:
The competitive and strategic nature of the game can lead to extended play sessions. Especially because the game is played in teams, it can be hard or nearly impossible to leave in the middle of combat, consequently, abandoning and disappointing your teammates.
With the right knowledge about how to best manage screen time around gaming, families can find agreements that work for them to keep a healthy balance, without conflicts.
In-game purchases and gambling:
Even though Counter-Strike itself is free, it can still become an expensive game if you get tempted to buy skins regularly to upgrade your character’s appearance.
Skins are very popular among players, and some gamers spend a lot of money collecting skins. However, these items do not influence the game itself; they are only cosmetic additions to the character.
The game also offers to purchase loot boxes or cases with unknown content. It could, for example, in rare cases, be popular or valuable skins. This unpredictable chance can be alluring to some who might not get what they want the first time, and consequently be tempted to buy again and again, hoping to eventually get lucky.
Some players hope to find valuable skins this way, only to resell them for profit. However, they might end up spending a lot more money on this than they get in return, and the temptation of the big win can eventually turn this aspect of gaming into an issue with gambling.
Scams:
Another side effect of the high popularity of skins, besides gambling and spending, is the risk of being scammed. There is a busy market around skin-trading where players buy, sell, and trade their skins to get exactly the one they want.
Often, these skins can be worth a lot of money, and some of these trades are based on trust. Unfortunately, it is very common to fall victim to a scam in these trades, no matter how old or how experienced a gamer you are.
Scammers get more and more skilled, and it can be hard for even adults to tell when something is a scam. Knowing about the different types of scams and how to talk to your child about trading is crucial when you have a gamer child trading skins and want to protect them from cyber thieves.
Key terminology and slang in Counter-Strike
CT (Counter-Terrorist): The team tasked with stopping the terrorists' objectives.
T (Terrorist): The team aims to complete missions like planting bombs or taking hostages.
Ace: When a single player eliminates all opponents on the enemy team in a single round.
Clutch: When a player wins a round for their team despite being the last one alive against multiple opponents.
Eco Round: A round where players intentionally spend minimal money to save up for better equipment in future rounds.
Nade: Short for "grenade," a type of explosive device used to gain tactical advantages.
Smurfing: When a highly skilled player creates a new account to play against less experienced opponents.
FPS (First-Person Shooter): When the game, including its shooting and weapon-based fight scenes, is seen from a first-person perspective.
