Counter-Strike (video game)

Counter-Strike (CS) is a popular team-based modification (or "mod") of Valve's first-person shooter Half-Life. The game pits a team of counter-terrorists against a team of terrorists in rounds of competition won by completing an objective or eliminating the opposing team. The latest incarnation of the game, Counter Strike: Source (CS:S), is based off the Source engine developed for Half-Life 2.

CS has been the most widely played online FPS for the past few years. In 2002 there were over 30,000 Counter-Strike servers on the Internet (second place was Unreal Tournament with about 9,800). In 2004, GameSpy statistics show that there are frequently over 60,000 players simultaneously playing Counter-Strike at any point in time, accounting for almost 70 percent of the online FPS audience. According to statistics gathered by Valve's content-delivery platform, Steam, these players contribute to over 2 billion minutes of playing time each month making it the most popular online FPS in history. Originally played online through the WON gaming service, WON shutdown in 2004, forcing players to switch to Steam.

File:Cs-screenshot.jpg

Picture of a Terrorist using a Desert Eagle on the map de_dust

Game play

Counter-Strike is a team-based game where players join either the Terrorists (T) or the Counter-terrorists (CT). Each round starts with the two teams spawning simultaneously; usually they are given a few seconds before the round starts to buy equipment (weapons, ammunition, armor, etc.). They can usually buy more equipment for 0 to 90 seconds after the round starts, depending on the server settings, provided they are in a designated "buy zone" for their team (see Counter-Strike equipment). The goal of the game is to either eliminate the opposing force or to complete the level's objectives within the given time limit. The round ends when either team wins the round or when the round time limit is reached. The game tracks how many players each player has killed, how many times they have died, and gives players money for killing enemies or completing team objectives. It also tracks how many times each team has won. Both teams receive additional money at the beginning of the next round, with the winners of the last round receiving more money than the losers. Surviving players retain their equipment but those who have died must buy new equipment.

Any players killed before the round is over become "ghosts"; their chat/voice messages cannot be seen/heard by the players still alive, they become invisible, but they are able to watch the rest of the round. The developers of Counter-Strike have added several restrictions to this system over the years to prevent spying ghosts from communicating with those still playing. For example, ghosts cannot change their names until a new round begins because in early versions, dead players could communicate with the living by changing their names (e.g., Mr_He_Is_behind_you). Depending on server configuration, ghosts may or may not have possibility of floating freely anywhere on the map. The default in early versions was to allow the ghosts to float freely, but this default was changed later because dead players spied on the living and could communicate through alternative media (most notably voice in case of Internet cafes). The game is a fast-paced yet tactical shooter, in a similar vein as the "Tom Clancy's" series of shooters. Pacing is fast, in the sense that players die in one or two hits from some guns, though it is not at all over-the-top like Unreal Tournament.

Map types

Currently, there are three types of maps distributed with CS:

cs_ maps: The original map type, these are based on a hostage rescue situation. 4 Hostages (computer-controlled) are located near the terrorist spawn; the counter-terrorists must lead them to a rescue zone, which are usually near the counter-terrorist spawn. If the counter-terrorists rescue all the hostages within the time limit, they win the round. If a player on either side kills a hostage, they lose money and might also be kicked off the server. Killing the entire enemy team also ends the round. If the time limit is reached and the hostages have not been rescued, the terrorists win (even if all hostages have been killed). Some of the most popular cs_ maps:

cs_assault (and its variants, such as assault_upc, assault2k, cs_assault_cz, 1337, etc.)
cs_italy
cs_militia
cs_office
cs_siege
cs_estate

de_ maps: Based on a bomb-defusing scenario. One of the terrorists starts out with a C-4 bomb that can only be planted at bomb sites; usually there are two bomb sites on the map, defined by A and B, one of which is near the counter-terrorist spawn. Once the bomb has been planted, the counter-terrorists must locate and defuse it before it explodes. On de_ maps CTs can buy a special defuse kit that decreases the time needed to defuse a bomb. Killing the enemy team ends the round if the bomb has not been planted; if the bomb has been planted, terrorists win if they kill the counter-terrorists, but the counter-terrorists must defuse the bomb even if they kill the terrorists. Previously, the round could end with the bomb planted but not yet exploded, resulting in a victory for the counter-terrorists. However, the round timer now becomes void when the bomb is planted, meaning the bomb can be planted even with 1 second left in the round and the round will continue until the bomb is defused, it explodes, or the counter-terrorist team is eliminated. de_ maps are by far the most popular, and are in general the only kind of maps used in tournament play. Popular de_ maps:

de_dust
de_dust2 (it and de_dust have many variations, including de_dust2002, de_dust4ever)
de_aztec
de_cbble
de_inferno
de_nuke
de_prodigy
de_train

as_ maps: based on an assassination scenario. One of the counter-terrorists spawns as a VIP (Very Important Person). The VIP cannot buy equipment, but starts out with 200 armor (the normal maximum is 100). The VIP must go to a rescue point; this is usually a helicopter or APC. The counter-terrorists win if the VIP makes it to the rescue point or all the terrorists are killed while the VIP is still alive. The terrorists win if the VIP is killed or the time limit is reached and the VIP has not yet made it to the rescue point. as_ maps are far less popular than cs_ and de_ maps. Popular as_ maps:

as_oilrig
as_tundra

Former and custom map types

There used to be an es_ (escape) map type where the terrorists would have to flee the counter-terrorists and reach an escape zone, but that type is rarely played anymore. The three official es_ maps were:

es_frantic
es_jail
es_trinity

In addition to the maps included with Counter-Strike, there are many custom maps available created by map-making programs. Some custom maps even use a similar naming scheme to indicate map type:

fy_ maps: FY (said to stand for fuck you, fantasy yard, or fun yard) maps are team deathmatch maps where the only objective is to kill the opponents. FY maps are usually very small and simple. They are great for small servers and skill practicing. The spawn points are often not situated in a buy zone, instead the weapons are laying on the ground, usually one of each type and on some rare occasions armor is also provided. Maps include:

fy_iceworld
fy_iceworld2k
fy_pool_day
fy_stoneworld

aim_ maps: Another team deathmatch type, these maps have a limited amount and type of guns on the ground and the objective is to kill the opponents, the goal being to improve aim, especially with certain weapons. This kind of map does not have buy zones. Maps include:

aim_ak
aim_ak-colt
aim_headshot
aim_deagle5
aim_map_usp
aim_map_glock
aim_map_Deagle

awp_ maps: These maps focus on using the popular "AWP" (Arctic Warfare Magnum or Arctic Warfare Police) sniper rifle, which, in Counter-Strike, almost always results in one-shot kills(unless shot in lower leg or foot with armour. Maps include:

awp_map
awp_city
awp_bycastor

he_maps: These maps focus on the use of the high explosive grenade (HE). Like the aim_ maps there are no buy zones, only HE grenades spawn on the ground. On normal maps, HE grenades can only be bought in the buy zones and cannot be dropped or picked up. Maps include:

he_glass
he_dodgeball2k

Leagues

Many online gaming leagues have adopted Counter-Strike as one of their "ladders". The most "prestigious" and "leet" of them is CPL (Cyberathlete Professional League) in the United States; it attracts players from around the world to compete for a few intense days, as does ESWC (Electronic Sports World Cup) in France, along with WCG (World Cyber Games) that started in South Korea, and is now moving around the world each year (held in USA; San Fransisco in 2004).

Below these three very high-profile competitions, there are mainly various national tournaments, in the US, there is CAL (Cyberathlete Amateur League), which has various divisions. CAL-O is CAL-Open, the lowest ladder, while CAL-I is CAL-Invite, the highest ladder. Between them are CAL-IM (Intermediate), CAL-M (Main) and CAL-P (Premier). Other countries like Sweden have their own highly prestigious tournaments like SEL (Swedish E-sports League), where players in the elite division are required to have their own "arena", where their team gathers to play each game, thus effectively removing the risk of cheating that is always present during online play.

Teams in these leagues face off similar to those in professional sports leagues, such as the National Football League. The well known site clanbase.com offers many open ladders for anyone to compete in — a format that does not have specific matchups, but instead give teams an opportunity to test their strength against anyone else in the ladder in an attempt to be the #1 team. Clanbase also offers a large variety of tournaments, focused mainly towards European clans, like the Eurocup, a prestigious tournament where many of the best clans in Europe are invited to participate, as well as the very prestigious "Nations Cup" which offers each country to put forth a team of players to fight for their nations glory.

These tournaments all have something in common, they almost exclusively use a handful of maps deemed to be most competitive, all of them de_ maps. These maps are:

de_dust2
de_inferno
de_nuke
de_train
de_cbble
de_cpl_fire
de_cpl_mill
de_cpl_strike
de_aztec
de_prodigy

Mill, Fire, and Strike are, of course, the CPL's own maps, but they being adopted more and more by the rest of the community, although it is rather rare to find a public server running one of these two maps, they are often passworded clan-servers.

Clans

Many, if not most experienced players around the world are a member of a clan. These groups of players are usually friends who play together on a regular basis. Members of clans personalize their names with tags which are typically placed in front of and are seperated from the players name. For example, in a name like "[EW]Bob", "[EW]" is the clan tag and "Bob" is the player's name.

Some clans participate in wars and are ranked against one another. A war is, on average, a best of three matches, one clan against another on different maps.

Casual matches

The majority of Counter-Strike players play in public servers on the Internet (called pubs), where teams are randomly composed of individuals. Teams do not have any set number of players, players leave and go as they please, and individual records such as number of kills and kills-to-death ratios are the typical goal.

Scrims (short for scrimmages), or PCW (practice clan war) or FWs (friendly / fun wars) as they are known in Europe, however, are more team-oriented. These teams may be composed of individuals not on in a clan/team (a pug or pick-up game) or committed individuals on in a clan/team. Typical play is five versus five, and the scrim is usually officially started (declared live) after making sure the server settings are correct, and then restarting the game three consecutive times (live on 3).

In the most common type of scrimmage play (MR12), two halves are played, each 12 rounds in length, though some leagues are moving towards having more rounds in each half, in order to reduce the effect of the first round of play, which is known as the "pistol round". At the halftime, the teams switch: the Terrorists join the Counter-Terrorist team, and vice versa. The first team to obtain 13 rounds is the winner, at which point a good game (gg) is declared and the scrim usually terminates, unless both sides decide to complete all 24 rounds (playout). Tied scores at the end of both halves are declared as ties or played into overtime (two halves, three rounds each side).

Most scrims are arranged through IRC — mostly on the GameSurge network for American clans or QuakeNet for European clans. Some common channels used for Counter-Strike on GameSurge are as follows:

#findscrim — for clans/teams/pugs looking for others to scrim against

#findpug — for gathering individuals for pick-up games

#findringer — for locating ringers, or individuals to play with a team in a scrim

#findclan — for individuals looking for clans and clans looking for members; #recruit is also used

A match is much like a scrim, but it is officially arranged by and reported to a league like the Cyberathlete Amateur League.

History

The Counter-Strike team was formed by Minh Le ("Gooseman") and Jess Cliffe ("Cliffe") in 1999. Counter-Strike Beta 1.0 was released in June that same year, followed by a relatively quick succession of the beta releases (by the end of 1999, beta 5.0 had been released). Counter-Strike gained in popularity just as rapidly. The Counter-Strike team was acquired by Valve to turn the fan-created mod into an official mod for Half-Life. In November 2000, Counter-Strike 1.0 — the first non-beta, official retail version of the game — was released. The newest version of Counter-Strike is 1.6 and was released in September 2003 through Valve's new distribution platform called Steam.

Version history:

Beta 1.0 - 19 June 1999
Beta 1.1 - 27 June 1999
Beta 1.2 - 20 July 1999
Beta 2.0 - 13 August 1999
Beta 2.1 - 17 August 1999
Beta 3.0 - 14 September 1999
Beta 3.1 - 16 September 1999
Beta 4.0 - 5 November 1999
Beta 4.1 - 1 December 1999
Beta 5.0 - 23 December 1999
Beta 5.2 - 10 January 2000
Beta 6.0 - 10 March 2000
Beta 6.1 and 6.2 were "Server Only" updates, not for client/user machines
Beta 6.5 - 5 June 2000
Beta 6.6 - 22 June 2000
Beta 7.0 - 26 August 2000
Beta 7.1 - 13 August 2000
Version 1.0 - 8 November 2000
Version 1.1 - 10 March 2001
Version 1.3 - 19 September 2001
Version 1.4 - 24 April 2002
Version 1.5 - 12 June 2002
Version 1.6 - 15 September 2003
Counter-Strike: Source - 7 October 2004

Valve has also been attempting to cash in on the game's popularity by producing more Counter-Strike games. Valve released a version ported to the Xbox game console in November 2003. It features basic single-player gameplay against bots, but it focuses on multiplayer online play like the original. However, the Xbox version of the game (playable on Microsoft's Xbox Live online game service) has proved less successful than its PC counterpart.

A long-awaited single-player version of the game called Counter-Strike: Condition Zero was released on March 23, 2004. Condition Zero includes multiplayer bots as well. Though still very similar to Counter Strike 1.6, this game contains several graphical, sound, model and map changes. Condition Zero was developed by Turtle Rock Studios.

Counter-Strike: Source

Valve has updated Counter-Strike to use its Source engine which powers the soon to be released Half-Life 2. Counter-Strike: Source (CS:S) has been released for use by owners of Condition Zero, ATI Voucher holders, and in Half-Life 2 bundles available on Steam. 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. (The riot shield introduced in 1.6 is gone and dead players now drop grenades just like other weapons.) The popular maps, such as de_dust and de_aztec, have the same layouts and size, but are revamped with many aesthetic additions such as glass bottles and 50-gallon drums. CS:S will be shipped with Half-Life 2 retail editions as the sole multiplayer component.

For what Counter-Strike and its popularity is concerned the new Source engine heralds a new beginning for the most popular first-person shooter in history, a game which has been played throughout the world for more than 5 years. Finally, new life has been breathed into what some may consider a dying game.

Culture

File:Pwned counterstrike.png

Someone was pwned. Leet speak and Internet slang is commonly seen in chat among players.

Counter-Strike is infamous for the variety of players it attracts. Cases have been reported of players taking the in-game conflict too far and inflicting violence on their opponents in real life. [1] Furthermore, a large portion of the Counter-Strike audience is stereotyped as being young pre-teen males that seek to vent their aggression through the game. Players are sometimes viewed as being crude, using Internet slang such as leet, and prone to arguing over being fragged with accusations of cheating or camping as well as name calling ("awp whore") and similar remarks.

Mods and scripts

Even though Counter-Strike is itself a mod, it developed its own community of script writers and modders. There have been many different mods and scripts to:

Improve gameplay
Remove features of the games which players felt were annoying
Make the game more funny
Create different modes of play
Control players not following set rules
Keep track of player statistics and scores

See metamod for more information.