Heads up, FPS fans! Another competitive shooter is coming your way on mobile. Known as Global Offensive Mobile, a CS:GO Mobile Clone has been recently spotted on the Google Play Store.
Keep this in mind— the game is not a mobile remake of any sort. Rather, it appears to be an exact clone of the original and classic PC game with its similar weapon list, assets, and game modes.
Is it Valve-backed?
First off, we need to clarify if this CS:GO mobile port is supported and backed by Valve itself. Unfortunately, Global Offensive Mobile is an unofficial, bootleg copy of the titular FPS game.
Valve is yet to show any interest in bringing over one of the most popular online games and eSports titles on mobile, but clearly— other developers are keen on testing the waters.
According to an official source, the game is published by ‘Cheese WT’ for Android devices. Global Offensive Mobile is only available in Thailand as of writing, with its Closed Beta Test stage up until February 18, 2021.
A mobile CS:GO port is expected to be popular within the Thai gaming community, where mobile gaming is gaining traction and continuous success. However, interested players from other regions may have to wait a while for the game’s official release date.
The publisher of the game hasn’t released the global version, but its beta version has been launched on APKPURE. It’s also available to add to the Wishlist on Google Play Store for now. There’s no information about the iOS version of this game yet.
Cheese WT also announced that they are planning to make the mobile FPS title compatible with more devices to cater to more gamers.
Global Offensive Mobile’s current game size is around 1.2 GB, hence a mid-end smartphone is ideal if you want the game to run smoothly.
CS:GO on Mobile
How exactly is the mobile game similar to CS:GO? For starters, “Global Offensive Mobile” blatantly copied a part of the title from Counter Strike: Global Offensive. This is already considered as a red flag by many.
Also, aside from being inspired by CS:GO elements, the game went on to clone the classic PC game experience on small, handheld devices. This includes the FPS gameplay, graphics, weapons skins, classic maps, markets, and more. The similarities are easily observable in the game’s official teaser images on the official Google Play Store page.
Some maps and weapons were directly copied from CS:GO, hence is why the game earned the rather reputation of ‘CS:GO Mobile’. It even has similar sound effects, voices, animations, and even weapon bullet trajectory.
Familiar game modes such as Deathmatch, Demolition, Casual, Zombie, and more are also present in the game. Developers also confirmed they plan to introduce new maps and game modes in the next updates.
At this point, long-time CS:GO fans and veterans might need to prepare the ultimate Mobile Gamer starter pack in anticipation for the game’s official global launch— if ever it pushes through.
A Striking Rip-off
It seems like the Thailand-based developer of the game isn’t afraid of any lawsuit from Valve, or most likely, they’re showing Valve the potential of their game.
The mobile shooter features 6 game modes and 6 different maps as of writing, 3 of which are Dust 2, Inferno, and Mirage. The maps are taken directly from CS:GO, with no intention of even changing the names. Even the iconic “Go go go” tagline is used by the mobile title.
Most notably, all weapons from CS:GO are also present in this supposed mobile version. Each weapon is a perfect copy as they also function similar to the original. The game looks visually stunning, considering it is made in the Unity engine. Even the in-game controls seem to be perfectly adapted for the mobile platform.
Perhaps the only notable differences between the two is one new map, new skins and different operators.
With a couple of teaser trailers and gameplay clips, the mobile game became a trending topic on the internet in the past month. It has captured the attention of FPS gamers and enthusiasts alike, who might be feeling nostalgic of their CS:GO glory days.
Demolition Game Mode
One particular description of Global Offensive Mobile’s demolition game mode, aka Bomb Mode, reads:
“Bomb Mode Divide players into 2 sides, red team and blue team. The red team had a player carrying grenades. Install the grenade in the designated location. Destroy the enemy’s strategic points or kill all enemies.”
“The blue team must interrupt the enemy and install bombs. Either defuse the bomb after it is installed Or kill all enemies When the time is up The red team cannot successfully mount a bomb, the blue team wins.”
However, instead of having Terrorists or Counter-Terrorists, the teams are simply named Red and Blue.
The Trend of Mobile Gaming
It’s not a surprise to know the CS:GO mobile clone is backed by South East Asian developers, considering the huge success of the mobile gaming industry in the region.
Esports remain to be a relatively new concept in Southeast Asia, as compared to traditional PC games such as DoTA 2 and of Legends, but it is growing at a steady, exponential rate.
For example, the battle royale title Free Fire was the most downloaded mobile game of 2019, beating out heavyweight PlayerUnknown Battlegrounds Mobile. The game also passed the US $1 billion mark in total revenue for the previous year.
In general, the SEA region generated game revenues of $4.4 billion in 2019. Mobile gaming, specifically, accounted for $3.1 billion of the 2019 revenues— which is over 70% of the market according to Newzoo.
With iconic games such as Call of Duty, Fortnite, League of Legends, and PlayerUnknown’s BattleGrounds getting their own mobile ports— it was only a matter of time for CS:GO Mobile to appear in the picture, at least its rip-off version that is.
There are a number of thriving eSports titles on mobile with prize pools on par with PC LAN tournaments, and if you want to get to know more about these games you might want to check out our well-curated list.
In-game transactions
Like many other free-to-play games, it seems like Global Offensive Mobile plans to rely on in-game microtransactions to make profit. Like its PC predecessor, the mobile game already revealed a number of available cosmetic skins for different weapons.
With a diverse weapon system of over 40 weapon types, the demand for weapon skins will undoubtedly sell like hotcakes. What makes any FPS game more enjoyable and interesting is the addition of fancy skins— either for personalization purposes or simply bragging rights.
If you’re a free-to-play player, fret not! You may also obtain various, equally stunning exclusive weapon skins in some seasonal events without having to spend a single cent.
Possible Lawsuit
Currently, Valve has not yet publicly acknowledged Global Offensive Mobile nor did it mention anything about the alleged CS:GO mobile clone.
The CS:GO community, especially long-time fans, were quite taken aback to see that the mobile game had blatantly copied maps, gun models, title, and other such features from the beloved PC game.
Some fans believe this would certainly warrant a heavy lawsuit from Valve, while a few others had some controversial theories of their own, especially on Reddit.
“It’s a csgo rip-off. If it’s not Valve related it’s a mega lawsuit for the creators.”
“Unless this game actually comes to global as CS:GO Mobile and this beta currently is like a testing ground release for china playerbase this game don’t stand a chance of staying.”
“Gameplay in general can’t be patented, but the name “Global Offensive Mobile” is certainly something that can be contested legally.”
“From the looks of it they also straight up ripped the weapon and knife models lmao, no chance this stays up.”
The Hype Beyond SEA
The game has also garnered the attention of interested players from countries like Brazil and Turkey, where mobile gaming proves its growing potential.
Notably, similar mobile FPS titles like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile have established a burgeoning mobile eSports in these regions. If Global Offensive Mobile pushes through with a global launch without any objection from Valve, although highly unlikely, then an eSports scene for the mobile title may soon begin to appear in the picture.
Bottomline
It was only a matter of time for a CS:GO mobile title to be published, regardless of whether it was officially supported by Valve or not.
Considering the global popularity of CS:GO, Global Offensive Mobile, its most palpable clone on mobile— shows some great potential in the mobile gaming industry even prior to its global launch.
The nostalgic CS:GO assets and the idea of bringing the iconic FPS experience over to mobile is just one of the many reasons why it’s one of the most anticipated mobile games right now.
