Counter-Strike: Global Offensive wrapped up its Operation Broken Fang today. The announcement of the changes coming at the end of operation today also included the release of an in-game stat tracking system for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and some fans are not happy.
One popular feature that came with Operation Broken Fang was a new stat tracking system called CS:GO 360 Stats. The system keeps track of players' performance across Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's competitive modes, and while players expected the feature to go away with Operation Broken Fang, Valve has revealed that it will remain in the game, but will now charge a subscription fee.
The stats system will now cost interested players $0.99 a month and includes all of the player's competitive mode stats as well as the in-match Round Win Chance report in competitive matches. Any players who purchased Operation Broken Fang when it was active will have their stats from the season carry over if they pick up the subscription, but from here on out, any matches played without an active subscription will not be tracked, even if players resubscribe afterward. The new update has been met with some controversy from players and follows Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's other controversial update earlier this year that removed bots from competitive modes.
Some fans have started voicing their complaints about the new subscription fee for the in-game stat tracking system. Some players are voicing their theories that it may signal Valve implementing a similar subscription service as it has for its popular MOBA Dota 2, called Dotaplus. Many other fans have expressed confusion at why they would pay $0.99 a month for a stat-tracking service that is less detailed than multiple third-party sites that are available to all players for free. Other players have also voiced frustration that Valve implemented the subscription while not adding many of the other features that Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players have been asking for, like new maps and better anti-cheat measures.
I'd much rather pay 5$ a month for an intrusive valve anticheat than 1$ for stats that should be readily available to the player base. from GlobalOffensive
While it is good to see Valve continuing to update and support Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, hopefully, it can find a way to make the new service more appealing for players who think that the subscription service isn't worth the price. The community's frustration does come soon after players grew angry at Valve for closing a loophole that allowed streamers to properly capture Counter-Strike: Global Offensive using OBS while in trusted mode. Hopefully, the future for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive will bring more cool operations that fans can enjoy, and more updates and new features that will receive a warmer welcome within the community.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is available now on PC.