Operations
Operations are limited-time events in Counter-Strike that introduce new content, missions, maps, and rewards. They are among the most anticipated updates in the Counter-Strike community.
Overview
Operations are seasonal content updates that typically last 3-4 months. Players can purchase an Operation Pass to access exclusive missions, earn stars, and unlock rewards including weapon skins, stickers, and other cosmetic items. Operations also introduce new community-made maps to the official map pool.
History of Operations
CS:GO Operations
| Operation | Release Date | Duration | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation Payback | Apr 2013 | 3 months | First operation; community map support |
| Operation Bravo | Sep 2013 | 4 months | Bravo Case; new maps |
| Operation Phoenix | Feb 2014 | 3 months | Phoenix Case; classic map returns |
| Operation Breakout | Jul 2014 | 3 months | Mission system introduced; Butterfly Knife |
| Operation Vanguard | Nov 2014 | 4 months | Campaign missions; two mission tracks |
| Operation Bloodhound | May 2015 | 4 months | Falchion Knife; extensive missions |
| Operation Wildfire | Feb 2016 | 4 months | Co-op Strike mission; Bowie Knife |
| Operation Hydra | May 2017 | 6 months | Wingman, Weapons Expert, War Games modes |
| Operation Shattered Web | Nov 2019 | 5 months | Agent skins introduced; star rewards system |
| Operation Broken Fang | Dec 2020 | 5 months | Retakes mode; Broken Fang Gloves; stat tracking |
| Operation Riptide | Sep 2021 | 5 months | Short Competitive matches; new agent models |
Typical Operation Content
- New maps — Community-created maps added temporarily to matchmaking
- Missions — Weekly challenges earning stars for rewards
- Exclusive skins — Operation-only weapon skins and collections
- Reward tracks — Star-based progression with cosmetic rewards
- New game modes — Sometimes introduces or highlights specific modes
- Exclusive cases — Limited-time weapon cases
Stars and Rewards
Modern operations use a star-based reward system:
- Complete weekly missions to earn stars
- Spend stars on rewards from a reward track
- Higher-tier rewards require more stars
- Rewards include agent skins, weapon skins, sticker capsules, and patches
Operations in CS2
As of the CS2 era, Valve has been experimitting with new seasonal content formats. The operation model may evolve to fit CS2's updated platform, with new content delivery methods and reward systems.
See Also
- Counter-Strike 2 — Current game
- Counter-Strike History — Full timeline
- Skins — Cosmetic items
- Agents — Character skins first introduced in operations