Next Gen Console, PC, and Mac Release Targeted for Early 2012
Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Counter-Strike, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Team Fortress) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO).
Targeted for release via Playstation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and Steam (for PC and Mac) in early 2012, CS: GO will expand upon the team-based action gameplay that it pioneered when it was launched exactly 12 years ago (CS beta 1, August 1999).
CS: GO features new maps, characters, and weapons and delivers updated versions of the classic CS content (de_dust, etc.). In addition, CS: GO will introduce new gameplay modes, matchmaking, leader boards, and more.
"Counter-Strike took the gaming industry by surprise when the unlikely MOD became the most played online PC action game in the world almost immediately after its release in August 1999," said Doug Lombardi at Valve. "For the past 12 years, it has continued to be one of the most-played games in the world, headline competitive gaming tournaments and selling over 25 million units worldwide across the franchise. CS: GO promises to expand on CS' award-winning gameplay and deliver it to gamers on the PC as well as the next gen consoles and the Mac."
CS: GO is being developed by Valve in cooperation with Seattle-based Hidden Path Entertainment. The title is targeted for release in early 2012 and will be playable at this year's PAX Prime and Eurogamer Expo.
For more information, please visit the CS: GO Steam page
Announcement - Valve
Features:
Note that all of these features are from early alpha builds of the game and are subject to change or removal from the final release. See the sources list below for reference material used to compile this list. Planned release in Q1 2012Available on PC/Mac, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3Matchmaking systemFocus on 5v5 competitive playBoth Defuse (de_) and Hostage (cs_) map types confirmed!eSports-orientedCompetitive and Casual modesRanked / ladder play for individuals and teamsDedicated serversGameplay has elements similar to both CS:S and CS 1.6Classic maps (with both minor and major modifications) include: Dust2, Dust, Aztec, Inferno, Nuke, TrainMolotov grenade: creates area of fire that slows players crossing through itDecoy grenade: emits fake weapon firing sounds to confuse enemies about your positionBullets penetrate some walls and objects like CS 1.6Many changes to weapons, as well as new weaponsClassic gameplay: no ironsights