Counter-Strike: Source: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:21, 12 February 2007

Latest revision as of 00:52, 8 October 2024

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{{short description|2004 video game}}

{{Infobox CVG| title = Counter-Strike: Source (CS:S)

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}}

| image = [[Image:CSS.JPG|250px|]]

{{Infobox video game

| developer = [[Valve Corporation]]<br />[[Turtle Rock Studios]]

| title = Counter-Strike: Source

| publisher = [[Valve Corporation]]

| image = Counter-Strike Source (box art).jpg

| distributor = [[Valve]] <br> [[Unalis]] (Taiwan)

| developer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Valve Corporation|Valve]]|[[Turtle Rock Studios]]}}

| engine = [[Source engine]]

| publisher = Valve

| released = [[October 7]], [[2004]]

| genreseries = ''[[FirstCounter-person shooterStrike]]''

| engine = [[Source (game engine)|Source]]

| modes = [[Single player]], [[multiplayer game|multiplayer]]

| released = {{Collapsible list

| ratings = [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: Mature 17+ <br> [[Pan European Game Information|PEGI]]: 16+ <br> [[Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)|OFLC]]: MA15+ <br> [[USK]]: 16+

| title = {{nobold|October 7, 2004}}

| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]

| '''Windows'''

| media = [[DVD]], [[CD-ROM]] or [[Steam (content delivery)|Steam]] download

| {{Video game release|WW|October 7, 2004<ref name="Steam News 327">{{cite web |title=Half-life 2 Steam Offers Ready Now |url=http://www.steampowered.com/index.php?area=news&archive=yes&id=327 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |access-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208205808/http://www.steampowered.com/index.php?area=news&archive=yes&id=327 |archive-date=February 8, 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

| requirements = 1.2 [[Hertz|GHz]] [[Central processing unit|processor]], 256 [[Megabyte|MB]] [[Random access memory|RAM]], [[DirectX]] 7 Graphics Card

| '''Mac OS X'''

| input =

| {{Video game release|WW|June 23, 2010<ref name='Steam News 3976' />}}

| '''Linux'''

| {{Video game release|WW|February 5, 2013}}

}}

| genre = [[tactical shooter|Tactical]] [[first-person shooter]]

| modes = [[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]

| platforms = [[Windows]], [[Mac OS X]], [[Linux]]

}}

'''''Counter-Strike:Source (CS:S)''''' is a team based [[first-person shooter]], which is an upgraded version of the original ''[[Counter-Strike]]'' mod for ''[[Half-Life]]'' using the [[Source engine]] that was used in ''[[Half-Life 2]]''. The game was originally a total conversion [[mod]] made in the [[GoldSrc]] engine. All the ''Counter-Strike'' games pit a team of [[counter-terrorist]]s against a team of [[terrorism|terrorists]] in rounds of competition won by completing an objective or eliminating the opposing team. A more in-depth explanation on the rules and gameplay of ''CS:S'' can be found on the ''[[Counter-Strike]]'' page.

'''''Counter-Strike: Source''''' is a [[tactical shooter|tactical]] [[first-person shooter]] video game developed by [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] and [[Turtle Rock Studios]]. Released in October 2004 for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]],<ref name="Steam News 327" /> it is a [[Video game remake|remake]] of ''[[Counter-Strike (video game)|Counter-Strike]]'' (2000) using the [[Source (game engine)|Source game engine]]. As in the original, ''Counter-Strike: Source'' pits a team of [[counter-terrorist]]s against a team of [[terrorists]] in a series of rounds. Each round is won either by completing an objective (such as detonating a bomb or rescuing hostages) or by eliminating all members of the enemy team. The game was initially bundled with all retail and digital copies of ''[[Half-Life 2]]'',<ref>Thorsen, Tor. [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-readying-half-life-2-bundles-counter-strike-source-available-next-week/1100-6109232/ "Valve readying Half-Life 2 bundles; Counter-Strike: Source available next week."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412193025/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-readying-half-life-2-bundles-counter-strike-source-available-next-week/1100-6109232/ |date=April 12, 2019 }} Gamespot. September 29, 2004.</ref> before being released standalone.

==History==

In 2004, original ''Counter-Strike'' developers [[Minh Le]] and [[Jess Cliffe]], along with members of Valve and the [[Day of Defeat]] team, brought ''Counter-Strike'' into the [[Source engine]] as an obvious choice for the multiplayer component of ''Half-Life 2''. Following a period when the game was available to select "beta" testers, the game went gold on [[October 7]], [[2004]].

==Gameplay==

''Counter-Strike: Source''(CS:S) was released to [[ATI Technologies|ATI Radeon]] Voucher holders, in ''Half-Life 2'' bundles available on Steam, and with the boxed retail version of the game. Changes include the improvements inherent to the Source engine (such as better graphics and physics) as well as updated models, animations, maps, sounds, and some small gameplay changes.

[[File:Counter-Strike Source screenshot.png|thumb|left|A screenshot from the map "cs_italy". The player is holding a Maverick [[M4 carbine#M4A1|M4A1]] Carbine.]]

''Counter-Strike: Source'' retains its team-based objective-oriented first-person shooter style gameplay. The aim of playing a map is to accomplish a map's objective: defusing the bomb, rescuing all hostages, or killing the entire opposing team. The ultimate goal of the game is to win more rounds than the opposing team. Once players are killed, they do not respawn until the next round, though this depends on which server people play on. This gameplay feature distinguishes Counter-Strike from other first-person shooter games, where players respawn instantly or after a short delay.

Shooting while moving dramatically decreases accuracy, and holding the trigger down to continuously shoot produces severe recoil. The severity of damage induced by weaponry is dependent upon the specific locations of hits, with hits to the head being most lethal and shots which make contact elsewhere causing lesser loss of health. Damage is also affected by the distance, and if the target wears protection.

==Changes and additional features==

The updated ''Counter-Strike'' came with a few changes. Some welcomed these changes, while others questioned them. The riot shield introduced in 1.6 is gone, and dead players now drop grenades just like other weapons (as was introduced in ''[[Counter-Strike: Condition Zero|Condition Zero]]''). The popular maps, such as [[de dust]], [[de aztec]] and [[cs office]], have approximately the same layouts and size, but are revamped with many aesthetic additions such as glass bottles and 50-gallon drums. Other maps such as [[de inferno]] and [[cs assault]] are noticeably different in layout and size.

==Development==

As of this writing, Valve hasn't given the ability to make assassination maps (prefix "as_"), however, a group of fans have created a [http://vipmod.punkassfraggers.com/ server plugin], allowing players to play the VIP maps on ''Counter-Strike: Source''.

''Counter-Strike: Source'' was initially released as a [[Betaware|beta]] to members of the Valve Cyber Café Program on August 11, 2004.<ref>{{cite news |title=Counter-Strike: Source beta begins |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/counterstrikesource/news.html?sid=6104577 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CNET Networks]] |date=August 11, 2004 |access-date=July 1, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140314043506/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-source-beta-begins/1100-6104577/|archive-date = March 14, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="updatehistory">{{cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source update history |url=http://www.steampowered.com/platform/update_history/index.php?id=240 |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |access-date=July 1, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222135657/http://www.steampowered.com/platform/update_history/index.php?id=240|archive-date = February 22, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref> On August 18, 2004, the beta was released to owners of ''[[Counter-Strike: Condition Zero]]'' as well as those who had received a ''[[Half-Life 2]]'' voucher bundled with some [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Radeon]] [[video card]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source Strike ATI Customer |url=http://ati.amd.com/buy/promotions/cssource/index.html |publisher=[[Advanced Micro Devices]] |access-date=July 1, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100409071711/http://ati.amd.com/buy/promotions/cssource/index.html|archive-date = April 9, 2010|url-status = dead}}</ref> The game was included with Half-Life 2 bundles, which were released on November 16, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2008|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/half-life-2/554654p1.html|title=Blow Off Some Steam and Pre-Order Half-Life 2 (PC)|publisher=GameSpy|date=October 6, 2004|author=Autrijve, Rainier Van|archive-date=October 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006131105/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/half-life-2/554654p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 11, 2006, Valve released an experimental update entitled Dynamic Weapons Pricing. Under this system, item prices are determined based on their demand the previous week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=posts&id=778 |title=Counter-Strike: Source, Source Engine And Sourcetv Updates Released |access-date=July 1, 2008 |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |date=October 11, 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090315065303/http://store.steampowered.com/news/778/|archive-date = March 15, 2009|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Maarten |title=Counter-Strike: Source Switching To Dynamic Weapon Pricing |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/43978/counter-strike-source-switching-to |work=[[Shacknews]] |date=September 22, 2006 |access-date=March 14, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140314044454/http://www.shacknews.com/article/43978/counter-strike-source-switching-to|archive-date = March 14, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://steampowered.com/stats/csmarket/algorithm.html |title=Pricing Algorithm |access-date=July 1, 2008 |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121125075639/http://www.steampowered.com/stats/csmarket/algorithm.html|archive-date = November 25, 2012|url-status = live}}</ref>

''Counter Strike: Source'' includes the "Official Counter-Strike Bot" for both online and offline gameplay. The bot offers 4 difficulty levels, from "Easy", through "Normal", "Hard", and "Expert". Keyboard commands enable the user to fine-tune the level of difficulty by adjusting reaction times, accuracy and tactical play, but for most casual players the "Normal" setting will offer an adequately challenging game. Offline maps can be played with up to 32 bots.

On March 5, 2010, Valve announced the release of games from its first-party library, including games from the ''Counter-Strike'' series, for [[Mac OS X]]. The ports were slated for release in April 2010.<ref name="Steam News 3569">{{cite web | url = http://store.steampowered.com/news/3569/ | title = Valve to Deliver Steam & Source on the Mac| access-date = June 23, 2010 | work = [[Steam (service)|Steam]] | publisher = [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130826011221/http://store.steampowered.com/news/3569/|date = March 8, 2010|archive-date = August 26, 2013|url-status = live}}</ref> Valve employed [[Hidden Path Entertainment]] to provide support on updating ''Counter-Strike: Source''. On May 7, 2010, Valve released an update that includes new features and functionality developed in collaboration with Hidden Path Entertainment. These include 144 (now 146) new achievements, a new domination and revenge system, similar to that of ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'', player stats, an upgrade to the ''[[Source (game engine)|Source]]'' engine and more. On June 23, 2010, Valve released the beta to the public alongside the promised OS X version.<ref name="Steam News 3976">{{cite web | url = http://store.steampowered.com/news/3976/| title = Counter-Strike: Source Update Released | access-date = June 23, 2010 | work = [[Steam (service)|Steam]] | publisher = [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222135654/http://store.steampowered.com/news/3976/|archive-date = February 22, 2014|url-status = live|date = June 23, 2010}}</ref> On February 5, 2013, Valve released a port of ''Counter-Strike: Source'' for [[Linux]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.vg247.com/2013/02/11/half-life-counter-strike-now-available-on-linux/|title = Half-Life, Counter-Strike now available on Linux|date = February 11, 2013|access-date = March 14, 2014|website = VG247|first = Brenna|last = Hillier|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130525140422/http://www.vg247.com/2013/02/11/half-life-counter-strike-now-available-on-linux/|url-status = live|archive-date = May 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://news.softpedia.com/news/Counter-Strike-Source-Is-Now-Available-on-Steam-for-Linux-327362.shtml|title = Counter-Strike: Source Is Now Available on Steam for Linux|date = February 6, 2013|access-date = March 14, 2014|website = Softpedia|last = Stahie|first = Silviu|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140314235805/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Counter-Strike-Source-Is-Now-Available-on-Steam-for-Linux-327362.shtml|archive-date = March 14, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref>

Additionally, holstered weapons and grenades are visible on player models when not in use. This is a useful addition as a player can scope out what his team mates are carrying during the initial seconds of the game as most players "rush" with small arms, knives or grenades and their primary firearms are attached to their back, or vice versa; to see what kind of weapons the opposing team is carrying. This new feature enables players to consider strategies and plan accordingly.

== Modifications ==

Dynamic weapon pricing was introduced to the game in early November 2006, where weapon prices vary on a weekly basis, according to the popularity of a particular weapon. For example, if the Desert Eagle is very popular one week, the price of that weapon will increase the next, and vice versa. This is an attempt to discourage players buying the same weapons repeatedly, also allowing them to expand their skills to different areas of weaponry. Another point of the system was to give weaker players a boost but ended up having the opposite effect (as you get money from kills the better players gain more cash to buy better weapons increasing the skill gap). Still, many people rejected the system, and it was turned off in a large number of servers in order to play with traditional prices, putting the phrase "No DWP" (No Dynamic Weapon Pricing) in their server name. Many players felt this system robbed them of the best weapons (some took it as an attempt by Valve to lower the skill of some players) and forced to use the less accurate and weaker weapons thus slowing the game down. Another major complaint was that armor was included in the DWP market; and since almost every player buys it at the beginning of a round the price instantly went up. The system also became ineffective when people got fed up with guns that just couldn't accomplish their goals they reverted to using the better guns forcing prices up and creating extremely high price that stayed constant.

=== ''Counter-Strike: Malvinas'' ===

{{undue inline|date=May 2024}}{{Main|Counter-Strike: Malvinas}}

''Counter-Strike: Malvinas'' is a custom ''Counter-Strike: Source'' map, developed and distributed by Argentine web hosting company Dattatec. The map was released worldwide on 4 March 2013. The game is set in [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]], the capital of the [[Falkland Islands]], and revolves around a group of Argentine special forces (portrayed as the counter-terrorist team) capturing the archipelago from British Royal Marines, who are portrayed as terrorists. The map is inspired by the 1982 [[Falklands War]], in which an estimated 650 Argentine and 255 British servicemen died.<ref name="guard">{{cite journal|last1=Ledge|first1=James|title=Falklands Counter Strike: British hackers attack Argentinian developer's website|journal=The Independent|date=29 March 2013|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming/falklands-counter-strike-british-hackers-attack-argentinian-developers-website-8554627.html|access-date=16 March 2016|archive-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406052503/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming/falklands-counter-strike-british-hackers-attack-argentinian-developers-website-8554627.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The mod prompted strong controversy in the United Kingdom; Dattatec's website was targeted by British hackers on 27 March 2013.<ref name=guard/>{{Relevance inline|date=May 2024}}

==Reception==

In early December 2006, the prices for the Desert Eagle with the game's dynamic pricing had soared past the $12,000 mark (three-quarters of the maximum amount of money a player can hold at one time). This prompted Valve to increase the damage done by the [[Five-seveN|ES57]], [[SIG P226|Compact 226]], and Dual [[Beretta 92|Elite]] pistols on December 11, 2006<ref>December 11, 2006 CS:S update http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=news&id=867</ref> in order to increase the popularity of those pistols. All pistol prices were reset to default values at this time as well.

{{Video game reviews

| MC = 88/100<ref name="Metacritic"/>

| 1UP = A<ref name="1UP"/>

}}

''Counter-Strike: Source'' was met with positive reviews from professional critics.<ref name="1UP">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/counter-strike-source|title=Counter-Strike: Source Review|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|date=November 19, 2004|access-date=March 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709101053/http://www.1up.com/reviews/counter-strike-source|archive-date=July 9, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Metacritic]], a review aggregator website, awarded ''Source'' a rating of 88 out of a possible 100 based on 9 critic's reviews.<ref name="Metacritic">{{Cite web|url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/counter-strike-source/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title = Counter-Strike: Source for PC Reviews|access-date = March 14, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130202065639/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/counter-strike-source|website = [[Metacritic]]|archive-date = February 2, 2013|url-status = live}}</ref> Jeff Haynes of ''[[IGN]]'' said the game was "much more detailed, featuring many more polygons per model, bump mapping and other graphical enhancements" compared to the original.<ref name="ign._Coun">{{Cite web| title = Counter-Strike: Source| author = Haynes, Jeff| work = IGN| date = 5 August 2004| access-date = 13 January 2020| url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/05/counter-strike-source| archive-date = January 13, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200113171741/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/05/counter-strike-source| url-status = live}}</ref>

==Sequel==

CounterStrike continues to be played by 10-16 year old whiny boys who ruin the game by hacking and still have high pitched voices.

{{See also|Counter-Strike: Global Offensive}}

On August 12, 2011, Valve announced the production of a successor to ''Counter-Strike: Source'', entitled ''Counter-Strike: Global Offensive''.<ref name="CSGOannouncement">{{cite web|url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/6059/|title=VALVE ANNOUNCES COUNTER-STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE (CS: GO)|work=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]|publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]]|date=August 12, 2011|access-date=March 14, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222134753/http://store.steampowered.com/news/6059/|archive-date = February 22, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref> ''Global Offensive''{{'}}s development began in March 2010 when [[Hidden Path Entertainment]] attempted to [[Porting|port]] ''Counter-Strike: Source'' onto video game consoles prior to the end of its lifespan.<ref name="savedcsgo">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/how-400-virtual-knives-saved-counter-strike/|title=How $400 virtual knives saved Counter-Strike|first=Evan|last=Lahti|date=September 17, 2015|website=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|url-status=live|archive-date=January 11, 2017|access-date=January 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111083031/http://www.pcgamer.com/how-400-virtual-knives-saved-counter-strike/}}</ref><ref name="2011paxgs">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pax-2011-counter-strike-global-offensive-hands-on-preview-new-gear/1100-6331709/|title=PAX 2011: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Hands-On Preview – New Gear|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=August 29, 2011|first=Maxwell|last=McGee|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113063419/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pax-2011-counter-strike-global-offensive-hands-on-preview-new-gear/1100-6331709/|url-status=live}}</ref> During its [[Video game development|development]], Valve saw the opportunity to turn the port into a full game and expand on the predecessor's [[gameplay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/08/12/counter-strike-global-offensive/|title=Revealed: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive|author=Alec Meer|date=August 12, 2011|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|access-date=November 8, 2011|url-status=live|archive-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622003220/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/08/12/counter-strike-global-offensive/}}</ref> In 2023, ''Global Offensive'' was assimilated into [[Counter-Strike 2]], which ported the game's content into the [[Source 2]] engine.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-22 |title=Counter-Strike 2 is official, coming summer 2023 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/counter-strike-2-is-official-coming-summer-2023 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref>

==HavokCompetitive physicsplay==

{{main|Counter-Strike in esports}}

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''Counter-Strike: Source'' has been played in tournaments since shortly after its release. The game received some criticism by the competitive community, who believed the game's skill ceiling was significantly lower than that of CS 1.6. This caused a divide in the competitive community as to which game to play competitively.<ref name="Kane2008">{{cite book|author=Michael Kane|title=Game Boys: Triumph, Heartbreak, and the Quest for Cash in the Battleground of Competitive Videogaming|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9bulcI9PHJsC|date=19 June 2008|publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4406-3188-7}}</ref>

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| '''This section does not cite its [[{{SITENAME}}:Citing sources|references or sources]].'''<br /><small>Please help [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|action=edit}} improve this article] by introducing appropriate citations. ([[Help:Contents|help]], [[{{SITENAME}}:WikiProject Fact and Reference Check|get involved!]]) {{#if:{{{date|}}}|This article has been tagged since '''{{{date}}}'''.}}</small>

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[[Image:Counter Strike Source2.png|thumb|230px|A screenshot of a typical firefight scene in a multiplayer server on the map [[Counter-Strike maps|cs_office]]. Pictured is the GIGN skin along with the SEAL Team SIX and 'Phoenix Connexion' Terrorist skin. The weapons seen, are a [[Steyr TMP|TMP]], [[Semi-automatic shotgun|xm1014]], [[AK-47]], and the [[Desert Eagle]].]]

The implementation of the Source engine and the promise of [[Havok (software)|Havok]] physics in CS:S led to much speculation about the increased tactical opportunities that would be opened up by the use of moveable objects. For instance, in the map [[cs_office]], the Terrorist players could "[[camping (computer gaming)|camp]]" in a room and barricade the doors with cabinets or chairs. However, the manipulation of them is hindered by coding which causes players to 'bounce' off any physical items and the inability to pick up any objects (as a player could in ''[[Half-Life 2]]'').

{{clear}}

There is a limited server side command, sv_turbophysics, which allows minor manipulation of the physics, however players can only 'punt' objects, that is throw them around by running into them, rather than pick them up. Objects that can be manipulated in this way include barrels, boxes, and bottles and so on, some of which can be destroyed entirely or thrown very far with explosives. Object manipulation is not fully implemented because of the need to reduce network traffic between server and clients. This limits how much information can be sent about the current state of a map's objects. Also, the complex computations required when several people interact simultaneously with the same object place a heavy load on the server.

Despite this, some hardcore fans have managed to create some novel maps, such as de_soccer1_knives, which places Ts and CTs on opposite sides of the field and they use knives to "kick" a soccer ball into goals. The team who scores causes the opposing team to be subjected to a series of instantaneous deaths. The [[Havok (software)|Havok]] engine has also been useful in the making of the semi-popular "glass" maps, where most of the battlegrounds are made of breakable glass. Such maps may have objects such as walls that can be tipped over, causing all the glass layers underneath to break under their weight (and causing players unlucky enough to be standing on that glass to fall to their deaths).

Some critics have noted that the muted physics in the standard configuration of CS:S was causing player death animations to be limited and predictable, affecting the immersion of the player in the game. The [[March 1]] update to CS:S's ragdoll physics resulted in more random death postures.

==Criticism==

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| style="width:60px; vertical-align:top; padding:.3em;" | [[Image:Information icon.svg|40px|Info icon]]

| '''This section does not cite its [[{{SITENAME}}:Citing sources|references or sources]].'''<br /><small>Please help [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|action=edit}} improve this article] by introducing appropriate citations. ([[Help:Contents|help]], [[{{SITENAME}}:WikiProject Fact and Reference Check|get involved!]]) {{#if:{{{date|}}}|This article has been tagged since '''{{{date}}}'''.}}</small>

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There are a number of CS 1.6 fans that feel that the new incarnation is too different, [[Software bug|buggy]], and/or incomplete. One common argument leveled against the game is that its gameplay lacks the challenge of the original. For instance, the hitboxes in the head region are considerably bigger than those used in previous games of the series, allowing for easier "[[headshots]]". This favors players who 'spray' instead of aiming for the head, thus increasing the element of chance in the game and making it easier for new players. This is significant because a "headshot" deals considerably more damage than shots to other parts of an enemy's body and is often an instant kill.

The Magnum Sniper Rifle, or commonly referred to as AWP, is widely criticised because of its one-hit kill ability anywhere above the waist area, making it an effective weapon even for inexperienced players. Some servers ban this weapon for this reason. Note that this is also true of the original Counter-Strike and is not specific to Source.

The Desert Eagle, AK-47, and sniper rifles will still kill with one hit to the head, except from extremely long (50m+) distances, not found in the official maps, or if being shot through a wall. Calibers such as the .50AE from the game's now iconic representation of the Desert Eagle pistol will be effectively stopped by a helmet from mid to long ranges, although the player would be left with little health. The helmet is usually bought to avoid being killed by an enemy in an "eco round" (in competitive play where funds are limited at the start of a round), where they will most likely face weapons loaded with 9mm ammunition (Glock, MP5) or the .45ACP of the USP pistol, the latter being lethal against an unprotected target close-up.

The demanding hardware requirements of the Source engine have kept many players of the original Counter-Strike from upgrading to Counter-Strike: Source. The original CS remains popular, as the [[GoldSrc]] engine runs very well on older hardware.

==Competitive gaming==

{{main|Clan (computer gaming)|eSports}}

==Customization==

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Because of the large fanbase that Counter-Strike:Source has accumulated, there are a wide variety of different customizations and addons that can be used with the game. Two well-known websites which hold addons for the customization of CS:S are [http://www.addondb.com/ AddonDB] and [http://www.fpsbanana.com/ FPSBanana].

There is a large fanbase for the game that creates customised sounds, textures, weapon skins and player skins. However, under the rules of [[Valve Anti-Cheat]], models for objects within maps and player models cannot be edited, so that a player using a different model other than the standard does not have an advantage over another person.

===Player-Created Maps===

[[Image:CSStexturecity.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Aim_ag_texturecity, an example of a fan-built custom map for CS:S. Orange "developer textures" give it a distinctive style.]] Maps are frequently made by players for the game, and the easy-to-access [[Valve Hammer Editor]] allows virtually anybody to create their own. The number and types of custom maps for the game is constantly rising, which means that most people can find something to their taste.

===Popular Gameplay Modifications===

Like many other modern [[first-person shooter]] games, Counter-Strike: Source has been heavily [[Mod (computer gaming)|modded]] by its developer community.

====Zombie Mod====

The Zombie Mod is a popular complete modification for Counter Strike: Source. In every zombie game one player is infected with the undead virus and becomes a zombie. Zombies are given increased speed and night vision, as well as a very large amount of [[hit point|health]]. Any player stabbed by a zombie becomes one himself/herself. The remaining humans must avoid the zombies; this is often accomplished by creating chokepoints through which to repel attacks or finding easily-defensible positions in which to camp for the round. Game physics are modified so that weapons have enormous stopping power; often the humans' best defense is the sheer force of their bullets.

The fast-paced action and uniqueness of zombie games has led to its sudden rise in popularity, with many dedicated servers supporting the mod.

====Gungame Mod====

The Gungame Mod is another popular modification for Counter Strike: Source. The objective of the game is to upgrade one's weapon by killing the opposing team members with the current weapon. Killing with the knife not only automatically progresses the killer to the next weapon, but downgrades the victim's weapon. Progression for a player to the next weapon can either happen instantaneously after that player makes a kill (known as "Turbo") or at the end of each round where a kill was made, depending on server settings. There is also a deathmatch mode in which players will automatically respawn after death. Players traditionally get progressively more valuable weapons as they get more kills; they start with [[pistols]] and progress through [[shotguns]], [[submachine guns]], [[rifles]], the HE grenade, and then the knife, though the reverse order is also popular and keeps games more competitive. After a player gets a knife kill when on the knife level, that player is declared the winner and play starts on a new map.

====Deathmatch====

Counter-Strike Source Deathmatch (commonly '''CSSDM''') is a gameplay modification that changes the gameplay from round-based objective play to typical deathmatch gameplay, with near-instant respawn and no objectives besides killing. Instead of purchasing weapons, players can choose any weapon they wish (providing the server hasn't restricted it) from a menu. Both team deathmatch and free-for-all are supported, but most servers hosting the mod use team deathmatch.

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

<references/>

== External links ==

* [http://www.steampowered.com/ Official Steam site]

* {{imdb title|id=0275393|title=Counter-Strike}}

* [http://www.turtlerockstudios.com/ ''Turtle Rock Studios''] &mdash; Developers of remodelled maps for CS:S.

* [http://sourcejunky.com/news.php ''SourceJunky''] &mdash; European CS:S news site

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