Valve has rolled out a new CS: GO update that removes the ability to get Prime matchmaking for free. Now you need to pay $15 for Prime membership and then get access to matching packing with other Prime players.
Previously, you could get prime stats by collecting XP to reach level 21. It also required a valid phone number to be associate with the account. The new update also removes the ability to earn XP without having Prime status. PLayers with no prime status will also not access drops, Ranks, and Skill Groups.
Gamers who have already received the Prime status using the free path can keep it. If you haven’t reached level 21, you have until June 17 to pay and keep your already earned XP.
If you do not want to pay for the upgrade, you won’t be able to join Ranked matches. Valve has also introduced Unranked matches for Competitive, Wingman, and Danger Zone game modes. These games won’t affect Skill Group. Prime players can also play unranked players where their win or loss won’t affect Skill Group.
Valve has taken this move to keep smurfs away from ranked matchmaking. Indirectly, Valve has admitted that its anti-cheat solution for CSGo isn’t good enough. Now when CS: GO is getting tough competition from Valorant, Valve has to improve its ranked matching-making experience to retain existing gamers.
