Counter-Strike

What it is

Counter-Strike is a long-running competitive shooter where two teams of five, terrorists and counter-terrorists, fight over planting or defusing a bomb. It is one of the biggest esports in the world, and its Twitch category shows both pro tournaments and individual streamers.

What they actually see

Rounds are short and tense: players buy weapons, move carefully through a map, and eliminate the other team with realistic-looking guns, with blood effects on hits. Between rounds there is economy talk, replays of key moments, and either casters commentating or a streamer talking through their decisions.

Why kids love it

The skill ceiling is enormous, so watching a pro land an impossible shot feels like watching a top athlete do something no one else on earth can do.

Worth knowing

The game is rated M for mature, and its weapon-skin case system works like paid loot boxes, which feeds a large third-party skin gambling scene that has repeatedly caught out young players.