PopFlash scrim service moves to paid subscription model

Popular CS:GO scrimmage service PopFlash has relaunched with a new paid model to cover a surge in users in recent weeks due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak worldwide.

The website saw "an unprecedented level of usage these past two weeks" as around 5000 matches were played every day, four or five times the usual average, with PopFlash claiming the cost exceeded $8000 a month in server fees.

Many use PopFlash to host matches without needing a separate account, third-party platform or client. You also do not need to be friends with those in the match in any way to play alongside or against them. A link provided to players allows for quick pick-up games with all of the competitive maps and regional server selection available to the captain who hosts the scrim.

Players that want to host a scrim will now need to be at least one PopFlash Supporter in the matchj in order to do so. The other nine players do not need to pay in order to play matches. The first week is free and €4.99 a month subsequently. Another tier called PopFlash for Discord, allowing matches within private Discord servers, is also coming soon.

In addition to the new subscription model, a new server location was added in Barcelona, Spain and the two newest CS:GO maps Anibus and Chlorine were added to the PopFlash map pool.

Other platforms such as ESEA and FACEIT remain unaffected by the ongoing global situation, with the former allowing new players the chance to experience the ESEA Open League for free if they compete in one of three upcoming ESEA Weekend 5v5 Cups.