Prime in CS:GO: How to get it?

In this article we will talk about how to get a prime in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. We will also talk about what exactly gives the premium version of the game and why it was invented by the developers in the first place. 

What is prime-status?

Simply put, prime status is the purchased, full version of the game, which gives you a special premium status. For example, if you play the competitive mode in the paid version, you will only be matched up with users who have purchased the game for money. Players without premium status will play each other in matchmaking respectively. 

This is primarily to weed out cheaters, smurfs and ruiners from the competitive mode, thereby increasing the quality of prime status matches. Previously, the CS:GO community has repeatedly complained about the quality of play in competitive mode, where there were many rogue players.

Mainly, prime status has been introduced by the developers to improve the quality of the main matchmaking game. And, as can be seen, they have succeeded in doing so. 

Prime-status history

In December 2018, Valve released a major update for KS:GO. The patch added a new game mode, Danger Zone, as well as the ability to play the shooter for free. The main sticking point of that update was that the game was split into two statuses – Non Prime and Prime, i.e. a free version and a paid version.

Players without Prime status retained the ability to get titles, cases and experience, but were forced to play their matchmaking, the quality of which in the early days after the release of the update left much to be desired. 

Changes in 2021

Previously, without prime status, users could obtain ranks, play ranked games, and reach level 21 to earn prime status for free. 

However, on June 4, the KC:GO developers released a patch in which they reworked the system for obtaining prime status. Now, without a prime, players will not be able to earn experience, take part in competitive modes, receive titles and cases for victories. 

In addition, Valve has retained the previously obtained free player statuses for level 21 achievements. For other players who did not receive the paid version, special unranked modes became available, in which it is not possible to gain ranks and game drops. The quality of play of these modes decreased even more because of the large number of cheaters, smurfs and ruiners. 

In practice, however, everything is not as terrible as it may seem at first glance, but you should not hope for a strict team game.

How to get prime-status in 2022?

At the moment, there is only one easy way to get Prime in CS:GO – by buying it. This is the only, legal way to get the premium version. You can save extra money if you buy prime status from alternative marketplaces. 

But beware, because getting the full version may lead you to cheating websites. Only use reputable shops.

There is also the option of getting prime status for free, but it is not easy. Nevertheless, the free variation is also worth talking about, especially for newcomers to the game. On the one hand, with level 21 you can get this status at your disposal, but how much it will kill the desire of newcomers to play. Every player starts their journey with a competitive mode, but without prime this is now incredibly difficult to do. As previously mentioned, you’ll have to spend as much as 7 weeks to gain status. And that’s with three levels per week, which is also a time consuming process. It’s worth giving up the free status, it’s an incredibly difficult and complicated process.

Faceit

The Faceit competitive platform also features matchmaking, ranking and even a kind of prime status. The main difference between the free version of Faceit and CS:GO without prime status is that the quality of matches on the platform is much higher. Moreover, the free version does not limit you much in actions and features, and even allows you to earn a rating. 

A bonus is the tickrate 128 on all platform servers and the ability to play extra rounds if the score is tied. There’s also a league system, in-game tournaments and more. And yes, this is the platform where real professional players grow up.