Known as the update that made Counter-Strike Global Offensive the game it is today, also called “the skin update”. Released on the 14 of August 2013. This update added the two first cases, as well as 8 new skin collections.
Many credit this update as being what made Csgo to what we know and love today, others say it is what ruined it.
Nonetheless, It was after this update Csgo took its huge jump in popularity.
From the release of Csgo in July 2012 to the Arms Deal update a bit more than a year later, the game had a pretty consistent monthly player count of around 30 000 to 50 000 players.
Only three months after the update this number had nearly doubled to around 90 000 players a month.
And only a year later in August 2014, Csgo’s monthly player count was 280 000. An increase of more than 450% from the first year.
This can be compared to the first year of the game where the number of players barely increased at all.
It is however worth mentioning that the game received a lot of updates during the year after the arms deal update.
This improved Csgo from a gameplay standpoint and this probably helped increase the player count as well.
What The Arms Deal Update Added
The Arms Deal update added two popular new weapons – the M4A1-S and the USP.
Two silenced options for Ct-side, with lower ammo but higher stealth. As you can’t trace the bullets or hear where they are coming from.
These are two of the most used weapons in Csgo and can be chosen over M4A4 and the P2000 if you prefer them.
The M4A1-S and the USP were not the only things introduced to the game in this update. It’s not called the skin update for anything.
Two new cases were added, the eSport Case 2013 and the Csgo Weapons Case 1. As well as 8 new skin collections.
The eSport case key was made to support Csgo’s competitive gaming community. With a part of the revenue being redirected to fund prize purses at upcoming Csgo esports events.
Skins from the cases could only be unboxed using keys and cases. But the skins from the collection could potentially be acquired as drops after a game together with cases.
The collections added were the Assault Collection, Office Collection, Nuke Collection, Militia Collection, Inferno Collection, Vertigo Collection, Militia Collection, and Dust Collection.
These collections included some of the most iconic Csgo skins. Like the safari meshes, lightning strike, and AK-47 case hardened. As well as the first collection of knives.
The ability to trade the skins with other players through the steam trading interface was also added with this update.
As well as selling or buying them on the steam market.
The Skins That Where Added In The Arms Deal Update.
Valve's Arms Deal Update FAQ
Q: What is The Arms Deal Update?
A: The Arms Deal Update allows players for the first time to collect, buy, sell and trade decorated weapons that they can equip in-game.
The Update will also introduce weapon cases, which can be acquired through timed drops and opened by purchasing or trading for the appropriate key.
This update will also actively support the CS:GO competitive community with the introduction of the eSports Weapon Case.
A portion of the proceeds from sales of eSports Case Keys will go towards prize purses at competitive events.
Lastly, as part of the Arms Deal Update, we’ve added two new stock weapons available to everyone, the M4A1-S and USP-S.
Q: How can I get decorated weapons?
A: Players can currently acquire decorated weapons in a variety of different ways.
Firstly, you will receive decorated weapons automatically, via timed weapon drops, just by playing on both official and community servers in any game mode.
Secondly, you can acquire weapons by opening dropped weapon cases with a weapon case key.
Thirdly, you can trade weapons with other players through Steam’s Trading interface. And lastly, you can purchase them from other players through the Steam Marketplace.
Q: How do I earn decorated weapons by playing the game?
A: Weapon drops are awarded for play time over the course of a week. As your play time increases, the drop rate will slow down.
The drop rate will reset when the week rolls over.
Q: Can I buy items that will affect gameplay and give me an advantage?
A: No. All of the items are purely cosmetic.
Q: How do I access my inventory?
A: You can explore your inventory and loadout from the Main Menu. Additionally, you can access your inventory and loadout in the Pause Menu whenever you’ve been killed, are in warm-up, or are spectating a match.
Q: Where can I use my decorated weapons?
A: Everywhere! Decorated weapons will appear in each game mode (when relevant), and are available in both official and community servers.
Q: What can I do with my unused weapons?
A: You can trade weapons with other players. Additionally, all Arms Deal weapons, crates, and keys, are now sellable in the Steam Marketplace.
