Counter-Strike: Source

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Counter-Strike: Source (CS:S)
Developer(s) Valve Corporation
Turtle Rock Studios
Publisher(s) Valve Corporation
Distributor(s) Electronic Arts
Unalis (Taiwan)
Engine Source engine
Release date(s) October 7, 2004
Genre(s) First-person shooter
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer
Rating(s) ESRB: Mature 17+
PEGI: 16+
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Media DVD, CD-ROM or Steam download

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-terrorists against a team of 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.

Contents

[edit] 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.

Counter-Strike: Source(CS:S) was released to 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. It is a fun game for the young ages despite the M rating.

[edit] Changes and additional features

The updated Counter-Strike came with a few changes, some welcomed, others questioned. The riot shield introduced in 1.6 is gone, and dead players now drop grenades just like other weapons (as was introduced in 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.

As of this writing, Valve hasn't given the ability to make assassination maps (prefix "as_"), however, LDuke has created a server plugin so you can play the VIP scenario on Counter-Strike: Source.

Counter Strike: Source includes the "Official Counter-Strike Bot" for both online and offline gameplay. The AI of the bot is carried over from Counter-Strike: Condition Zero and 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.

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.

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. 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.

As of December, 2006, the prices for the Desert Eagle with the game's dynamic pricing have soared past the $12,000 mark.

[edit] Havok physics

A screenshot of a typical firefight seen in a multiplayer server on the map cs_office. Pictured is the GIGN skin along with the SEAL Team SIX and 'Phoenix Connection' Terrorist skin. The weapons seen, are a TMP, xm1014, AK47 and the Desert Eagle. The HUD map in the upper-left corner is now out-of-date.
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A screenshot of a typical firefight seen in a multiplayer server on the map cs_office. Pictured is the GIGN skin along with the SEAL Team SIX and 'Phoenix Connection' Terrorist skin. The weapons seen, are a TMP, xm1014, AK47 and the Desert Eagle. The HUD map in the upper-left corner is now out-of-date.

The implementation of the Source engine and the promise of 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 "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). 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.

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 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 reasons that object manipulation is a little lacking include the complex computations required by the server when several people interact simultaneously with the same object, the need to reduce network traffic between server and clients which limits how much data can be sent about the current state of a map's objects. It should be noted that some Counter-Strike: Source servers have custom scripting which allows players to interact with objects, for example, to stand on top of tables, chairs, etc.

Prior to the March 1, 2006 update, some critics noted that the muted physics in the standard configuration of CS:S was causing player death animations to be limited and predictible, 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.


[edit] Most downloaded Maps of Counterstrike: Source

The list below contains all of the most played maps. If you want to download these maps or put them on your server, go to http://www.csm2.net

  • MC Donalds
  • fy_poolday_reunion_lite
  • AIM_Advance
  • de_dust_pcg
  • fy_officemini
  • de_deathcookin
  • cs_reflex3
  • cs_bedbugs
  • de_dust33
  • Fy_Iceworld_Real
  • de_congo
  • Best Buy
  • cs_hurst_GOLD
  • awp map css v2
  • cs_assault_ds
  • cs_twilight
  • aim_perfect2_final
  • cs_assault_2005
  • de_simpsons_css
  • de_quebec
  • de_nightfever
  • awp_india
  • cs_kismayo
  • cs_swamp2
  • awp_subzero
  • cs_code_name_otter_FIXED
  • glasstrap_final
  • de_matrix
  • cs_assaultvilla
  • aim_47th

[edit] Maps and new releases

Notable Updates

As noted, the only two officially supported modes of play for CS:S are maps prefixed with "defusal" ("de_") and "Hostage Rescue" ("cs_"). At the moment there are 18 official maps available, and most of them are remakes of popular maps from earlier versions. In an update on February 24, 2005 update, the map cs_compound was added, the first original official map to be released for Counter-Strike: Source.

While Valve may continue to create new maps, Turtle Rock Studios continues to remake classic maps, although it is not known which maps they are working on. Below is the list of official maps for Counter-Strike: Source. Since the release of de_nuke on December 2, 2005, Valve's policy regarding all future maps seems to be the inclusion of High Dynamic Range (HDR) visuals.

Furthermore, in a news update on March 11, 2006, Valve reported that "We're also planning on going back to some of the older Counter-Strike: Source maps and giving them an HDR pass. Soon you'll get to play maps like de_dust with full HDR lighting." It can be presumed that eventually, the entire official CS:S map catalogue will be rendered in HDR.

As of April 12, 2006, HDR lighting has been implemented into de_dust. In August 2006, it was announced that HDR lighting, along with a few minor layout changes, would soon be implemented into the map de_train. On August 24, 2006 and after extensive testing the patch was released . The patch replaced the old hud radar with a new tactical mini-map. Like many changes to Counter-Strike over the years, this move was met with criticism from some players and praise by others.[1] Other changes include adjustment of point of view at crouch height, weapon balancing, and overhaul of the map de_train.

While the new radar is greatly accepted by the community it does have its shortcomings which should be addressed in following updates. Only official maps have accurate mini-map data. Custom maps are either lacking mini-maps or have incorrect data on them (de_losttemple's sites are mislabeled).

  • cs_assault
  • cs_compound
  • cs_havana
  • cs_italy
  • cs_militia
  • cs_office
  • de_aztec
  • de_chateau
  • de_cbble
  • de_dust
  • de_dust2
  • de_inferno
  • de_nuke
  • de_piranesi
  • de_port
  • de_prodigy
  • de_train
  • de_tides

[edit] Criticism

There are an extremely small number of people that are die-hard CS 1.6 fans, and they feel that the new incarnation is too different, buggy, and/or incomplete. One common argument leveled against the game is that its gameplay lacks the challenge of the original. For instance, the head region is 76% bigger than that used in previous games of the series, allowing for easier "headshots", however since this applies to everyone, so it is not an advantage any team holds over the other. [2] This is significant because a "headshot" deals considerably more damage than shots to other parts of an enemy's body.

The Magnum Sniper Rifle, or commonly referred to as AWP, is widely criticized because of its one-hit kill ability anywhere above the waist area, including the arms, as in the original Counter-Strike and Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, possibly making it an effective weapon even for inexperienced players.

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 new Source Engine have kept a lot of players of the original Counter-Strike from upgrading to Counter-Strike:Source, thanks to the very low requirements of the original Half Life GoldSrc engine. While the official Valve system requirements (found here Requirements) state that a 1.2 GHz Processor, 256 MB of RAM, DirectX 7 compatible graphics card with 32 MB or more of RAM and 56 Kb Modem are sufficient to run the game, many players find that in reality, for a good balance between decent visuals and smooth gameplay during online play, a 2.4 GHz or higher processor, with 512 MB of RAM, a 128 MB DirectX 9 graphics card and a DSL Internet connection of around 512 Kb is recommended. Thus the original CS remains popular, as it runs very well on older hardware.

[edit] Clan gaming

Additionally, many Counter Strike: Source players get together and create teams commonly referred to as "clans". In gaming clans, players often challenge other clans in matches known as "scrims" (short for scrimmages and "pimp gaming"). Matches or "scrims" are usually played on one clan's server and they may play for respect, practice, or just for fun. Clans are common and can often include members with varying levels of playing ability. Top teams in CS:Source are Hyper, Team 3D, EFG, Forbidden, and Devastation.

Many online gaming leagues have incorporated Counter-Strike and its many versions into their competitions. The most notable of these leagues are CyberEvolution (CEVO), Cyberathlete Amateur League (CAL) and Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL). All three of these have become known for hosting tournaments that include the world's best CS, CS:CZ, and CS:S players and clans.

[edit] Sprays

Another part of CS:S is using "sprays". Sprays are pictures that can be placed anywhere on the map either once per round or after a kill is made. Players are able to pick from either the standard sprays included with the game, or can import their own pictures from their computer. The visual quality of your spray is also tied to the texture quality level at which CS:S is being run at. Some players choose to use 'decoy' sprays, images which are of players. These can confuse the opposing team, who are often misled to take shots in vain at a static spray. Some players even go as far as using animated sprays, which can distract players from the game. There are also a number of other different types of decoy spray, including those which direct players to bombsites. These can misguide the player as to where they must go in the map, especially if they have not played the map previously. For these reasons, these types of sprays are usually banned from being used in gaming tournaments, or in clan matches.

Another issue with sprays is that many players use offensive custom images, especially porn related ones. It is not uncommon to find highly revealing and disturbing images on a server that does not monitor or ban sprays.

Unlike CS 1.6, CS Source automatically converts common image file formats such as JPEG or animated GIFs into a usable format.

[edit] Customization

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 AddonDB and FPSBanana.

Aim_afc_lasercage, an example of a fan-built custom map for CS:S.
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Aim_afc_lasercage, an example of a fan-built custom map for CS:S.

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. To the left is a thumbnail of a custom map, aim_afc_lasercage, which was created with 'developer' textures and features moving lasers and teleporters - which is a real contrast to the standard, more realistic maps that come packaged with the game.

Other modifications and addons have been created for the game, which mean that Counter-Strike:Source can be completely transformed into a deathmatch, Role-playing game, or other type of game without having to majorly edit any of the files required to play.

There is also 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. (For example, if they were using a transparent player model).

[edit] Zombie Mod

Zombie Mod is a mod created for CSS. The rules are the starting zombie (Counter-Terrorist or Terrorist), is infected with a zombie virus and must stab any CT or T once then they turn into undead to attack the living. The CT and T must work together, to kill the undead. It is highly considered that you camp in one part of the map with a group of people and set your defenses there, usually blocking doorways and corridors by hitting vending machines, sofa's etc in the way. One of the most famous zombie maps is known as zm_lila_panic. When you are a zombie you have two visions, night vision and normal vision. To turn off your night vision click the "n" button, it is also the same control to turn it back on. Weapons that are not liked in the zombie mods are rifles, due to their high damage attacks. The guns used to most on zombie mods are the SMGs,which is most chosen weapons on zombie mod. One other thing that is favoured in zombie mod is that other users for Counter-Strike Source says it is not possible to be a "noob" on zombie mod, because of the zombies one hit turn(in which you become a zombie).

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Official websites
Community Sites
Competitive Counter-Strike Source