Editing Counter-Strike (video game) (section)

==Competitive play==
{{main|Counter-Strike in esports}}
[[File:Cplwinter2001.jpg|thumb|2001 Winter CPL Counter-Strike tournament]]
The original ''Counter-Strike'' has been played in competitive tournaments since 2000, with the first major event taking place at the [[Cyberathlete Professional League]] (CPL) Winter Championship in 2001.<ref name="espo_Espo">{{Cite web| title = Esports Essentials: The Impact of the ''Counter-Strike'' Majors| author = Mitchell, Ferguson| work = The Esports Observer| date = 2018-09-19| access-date = 27 December 2019| url = https://esportsobserver.com/esports-essentials-counter-strike-majors/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191227200121/https://esportsobserver.com/esports-essentials-counter-strike-majors/ | archive-date = December 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name="blog_AneS">{{Cite web| title = An eSports phenomenon: ''Counter-Strike''| author = Llewellyn, Thomas| work = National Science and Media Museum| date = 2018-09-17| access-date = 27 December 2019| url = https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/counter-strike-esports/}}</ref> The CPL announced a transition from ''[[Quake III Arena]]'' to ''Counter-Strike'' for the Winter Championship. Prior to this, the 2000 Babbage's event featured a Counter-Strike competition sponsored by Kärna, the parent company of [[Razer Inc.|Razer]], offering a $15,000 prize pool. However, Kärna experienced financial difficulties, leading to delays in prize payouts. On March 14, 2001, the CPL issued a statement confirming that alternative arrangements would be made if the payments were not received by April 2, 2001.<ref name="CPL1">{{Cite web |title=History of the CPL - Part IV |url=http://www.thecpl.com/gamers/?p=art_cplhistoryptV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061120001202/http://www.thecpl.com/gamers/?p=art_cplhistoryptV |archive-date=November 20, 2006 |website=Cyberathlete Professional League |access-date=February 28, 2025}}</ref>

On April 12, 2001, the CPL Winter Championship commenced at the [[Hyatt Regency Dallas|Hyatt Regency]] in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]]. The event featured 48 competing teams, marking the first large-scale ''Counter-Strike'' tournament. The competition attracted over 800 attendees, including participants and [[Bring Your Own Computer]] (BYOC) players. Many professional ''Quake'' players were notably absent, while the ''Counter-Strike'' community saw an influx of new competitors. This tournament was the largest ''Counter-Strike'' event at the time and contributed to the game's rise in professional esports.<ref name="CPL2">{{Cite web |title=History of the CPL - Part V |url=http://www.thecpl.com/gamers/?p=art_cplhistoryptV2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061120002054/http://www.thecpl.com/gamers/?p=art_cplhistoryptV2 |archive-date=November 20, 2006 |website=Cyberathlete Professional League |access-date= February 28, 2025}}</ref>

In 2003, the [[Esports World Convention]] hosted a ''Counter-Strike'' tournament which featured 37 teams competing for a $100,000 prize pool.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Electronic Sports World Cup |url=http://www.esworldcup.com/2003/main.php?act=tournaments&show=worldcup&tournoi_id=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719140654/http://www.esworldcup.com/2003/main.php?act=tournaments&show=worldcup&tournoi_id=1 |archive-date=July 19, 2006 |website=Electronic Sports World Cup 2003}}</ref>{{Non-primary source needed|date=March 2025}}

In 2012, the [[Electronic Sports League]] removed the game from the main titles for the 2012–2013 [[Intel Extreme Masters]] due to its decreasing popularity outside of [[Europe]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blicharz |first=Michał |date=June 14, 2012 |title=''Counter-Strike'' off the main titles list in upcoming season |url=http://www.esl-world.net/masters/news/196142/Counter-Strike-off-the-main-titles-list-in-upcoming-season/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620080511/http://www.esl-world.net/masters/news/196142/Counter-Strike-off-the-main-titles-list-in-upcoming-season/ |archive-date=June 20, 2012 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=ESL World}}</ref>