Counter-Strike#Firearms in CounterStrike

Counter-Strike is an objective-based, multiplayer tactical first-person shooter. Two opposing teams—the Terrorists and the Counter Terrorists—compete in game modes to complete objectives, such as securing a location to plant or defuse a bomb and rescuing or guarding hostages.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-counter-strike-global-offensive-233724.phtml|title=Review: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive|date = August 24, 2012|access-date = April 7, 2014 |website = Destructoid|last = Pinsof|first = Allistair|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170101122023/https://www.destructoid.com/review-counter-strike-global-offensive-233724.phtml|url-status = live |archive-date = January 1, 2017}}{{cite web|title=GAME BYTES: 'Counter-Strike' Lackluster|url=https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-36564855/game-bytes-counter-strike-lackluster|work=The Tuscaloosa News|publisher=New Media Investment Group|access-date=February 7, 2017|date=August 31, 2012|first=Phil|last=Owen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816193400/https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-36564855/game-bytes-counter-strike-lackluster|archive-date=August 16, 2017|url-status=live}} At the end of each round, players are rewarded based on their individual performance with in-game currency to spend on more powerful weapons in subsequent rounds. Winning rounds results in more money than losing and completing objectives such as killing enemy players gives cash bonuses. Uncooperative actions, such as killing teammates, result in a penalty.{{cite web|url=http://read.navi-gaming.com/en/team_news/money_system_in_csgo_explained|title=Money system in CS:GO explained|publisher=Natus Vincere|access-date=January 2, 2017|archive-date=January 2, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102060245/http://read.navi-gaming.com/en/team_news/money_system_in_csgo_explained}}

{{Video game timeline

|compressempty=yes

|2000 = Counter-Strike

|2004a = Counter-Strike: Condition Zero

|2004b = Counter-Strike: Source

|2004c = Counter-Strike Neo

|2012 = Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

|2013 = Counter-Strike Online 2

|2014 = Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio

|2008 = Counter-Strike Online

|2023 = Counter-Strike 2

}}

{{Main|Counter-Strike (video game)}}

Originally a modification for Half-Life, the development team was hired by Valve in 2000, when the company acquired the rights to Counter-Strike.

The game received a port to Xbox in 2003.{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/fi_counter-strike_x | title=E3 2003: Counter-Strike | publisher=Eurogamer | date=June 6, 2003 | access-date=February 5, 2014 | author=Fahey, Rob | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222202645/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/fi_counter-strike_x | archive-date=February 22, 2014 | url-status=live }} It was also ported to OS X and Linux in the form of a beta in January 2013. A full release was published in April 2013.{{cite web | url=http://steamcommunity.com/games/10/announcements/detail/1010199179645672708 | title=Counter-Strike 1.6 Beta released | publisher=Valve | work=Steam | date=January 28, 2013 | access-date=February 5, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214014350/http://steamcommunity.com/games/10/announcements/detail/1010199179645672708 | archive-date=February 14, 2013 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://steamcommunity.com/games/10/announcements/detail/1802838328069953132 | title=Counter-Strike 1.6 update released | publisher=Valve | work=Steam | date=April 1, 2013 | access-date=February 5, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316053054/http://steamcommunity.com/games/10/announcements/detail/1802838328069953132 | archive-date=March 16, 2014 | url-status=live }}

{{Main|Counter-Strike: Condition Zero}}

Counter-Strike was followed up with Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, developed by Turtle Rock Studios and released in 2004. It used the Half-Life GoldSrc engine, similarly to its predecessor. Besides the multiplayer mode, it also included a single-player mode with a "full" campaign and bonus levels. The game received mixed reviews in contrast to its predecessor and was quickly followed with a further entry to the series titled Counter-Strike: Source.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/counter-strike-condition-zero/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero for PC Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |publisher=Metacritic.com |access-date=November 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102024823/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/counter-strike-condition-zero |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Counter-Strike: Source}}

Counter-Strike: Source was the first game publicly released by Valve to run on the Source engine. Counter-Strike: Source was initially released as a beta to members of the Valve Cyber Café Program on August 11, 2004.{{cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source update history |url=http://www.steampowered.com/platform/update_history/index.php?id=240 |publisher=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 }} On August 18, 2004, the beta was released to owners of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero and to those who had bought ATI Radeon video cards bundled with a Half-Life 2 voucher.{{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 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409071711/http://ati.amd.com/buy/promotions/cssource/index.html |archive-date=April 9, 2010 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ati-offers-bonus-to-half-life-2-bundle-buyers/1100-6077350/ |title=Counter Strike: Source ATI customer |date=December 2014 |access-date=December 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419221543/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ati-offers-bonus-to-half-life-2-bundle-buyers/1100-6077350/ |archive-date=April 19, 2015 |url-status=live }} While the original release only included a version for Microsoft Windows, the game eventually received a port to OS X on June 23, 2010, with a Linux port afterwards in 2013.{{cite web | url = http://store.steampowered.com/news/3976/ | title = Counter-Strike: Source Update Released | access-date = June 23, 2010 | work = Steam | publisher = Valve | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222135654/http://store.steampowered.com/news/3976/ | archive-date = February 22, 2014 | url-status = live }}{{cite web |author=Dawe, Liam |date=February 5, 2013 |title=Counter Strike Source Has Been Added To The CDR And Apparently Installable Too |url=http://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/counter-strike-source-has-been-added-to-the-cdr-and-apparently-installable-too.1710 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |publisher=GamingOnLinux}}

{{Main|Counter-Strike: Global Offensive}}

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was the fourth release in the main, Valve-developed Counter-Strike series in 2012. Much like Counter-Strike: Source the game runs on the Source engine. It was available for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux, as well as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles, and is backwards compatible on the Xbox One console.

{{Main|Counter-Strike 2}}

On March 22, 2023, Valve announced Counter-Strike 2, which utilizes the Source 2 game engine. It was originally announced as a free upgrade to Global Offensive with a summer 2023 release date.{{cite web | url = https://www.hltv.org/news/35837/valve-announce-counter-strike-2 | last = Rizzo | first = Marco | title = Valve announce Counter-Strike 2 | publisher = HLTV | date = March 22, 2023 | access-date = March 22, 2023 }}{{Cite web |last=Stedman |first=Alex |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Counter-Strike 2 Revealed Out of Nowhere, Release Window Confirmed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/counter-strike-2-revealed-out-of-nowhere-release-window-confirmed |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Roth |first1=Emma |last2=Clark |first2=Mitchel |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Valve announces Counter-Strike 2, a free replacement for CS:GO |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/valve-announces-counter-strike-2-a-free-replacement-for-csgo/ar-AA18X9Dz |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=MSN |language=en-US}} On September 1, 2023, it was released as a limited beta,{{Cite web |title=Your Time is Now |url=https://www.counter-strike.net/newsentry/3644028846252008595 |access-date=September 3, 2023 |website=www.counter-strike.net}}{{Cite web |title=How to play Counter-Strike 2 beta: Valve sends invites to more players for limited test |url=https://www.dexerto.com/counter-strike-2/csgo-2-beta-test-guide-2093744/ |access-date=September 3, 2023 |website=Dexerto |language=en}} and the game replaced Global Offensive on September 27.

Counter-Strike Neo (stylized NEO) is a Japanese arcade adaptation of Counter-Strike published by Namco for Linux-based machines.{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nvidia-partners-with-namco/1100-6108898/ | title=Nvidia partners with Namco | work=GameSpot | publisher=CBS Interactive | first=Hirohiko | last=Niizumi | date=September 27, 2004 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150307195139/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nvidia-partners-with-namco/1100-6108898/ | archive-date=March 7, 2015 | url-status=live }} The game is set in a futuristic version of Counter-Strike, with characters featuring anime-like designs. A selection of single-player missions, mini-games, and seasonal events were added to prolong the players' interest on the game.{{cite web |last=Waugh |first=Eric-Jon |date=March 27, 2006 |title=GDC: The Localization of Counter-Strike in Japan |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2636/gdc_the_localization_of_.php |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120652/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2636/gdc_the_localization_of_.php |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=July 25, 2015 |work=Gamasutra |publisher=UBM plc}}

{{Main|Counter-Strike Online}}

Counter-Strike Online is a free-to-play spin-off available in much of eastern Asia. It was developed by Nexon, with oversight from Valve. It uses a micropayment model that is managed by a custom version of the Steam back-end.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17744|title=Q&A: Valve Explains Why PC Gaming's Gaining Steam|work=Gamasutra|date=March 6, 2008|access-date=March 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112115903/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17744|archive-date=November 12, 2011|url-status=dead}} Announced in 2012 and aimed at the Asian gaming market, a sequel titled Counter-Strike Online 2 was developed by Nexon on the Source game engine and released in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/nexon-valve-announce-counter-strike-online-2-for-asian-territor/|title=Nexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories|last=Mallory|first=Jordan|publisher=Joystiq|date=April 6, 2012|access-date=April 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304014102/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/nexon-valve-announce-counter-strike-online-2-for-asian-territor/|archive-date=March 4, 2015|url-status=live}}

In August 2014, Nexon announced Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies, a free-to-play, zombie-themed spin-off,{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-08-07-counter-strike-nexon-zombies-heads-to-steam | title=Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies heads to Steam | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | first=Wesley | last=Yin-Poole | date=August 7, 2014 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411122215/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-08-07-counter-strike-nexon-zombies-heads-to-steam | archive-date=April 11, 2016 | url-status=live }} developed on the GoldSrc game engine.{{cite web | url=http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/counter-strike-nexon-zombies/test/counter_strike_nexon_zombies,51495,3079645,2.html | title=Tod durch Untote | language=de | trans-title=Death by Undead | work=GameStar | page=2 | first=Stefan | last=Köhler | date=October 26, 2014 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630153903/http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/counter-strike-nexon-zombies/test/counter_strike_nexon_zombies,51495,3079645,2.html | archive-date=June 30, 2015 | url-status=live }} On September 23, 2014, an open beta was released on Steam.{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-09-23-heres-a-quick-look-at-counter-strike-nexon-zombies | title=Here's a (very) quick look at Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | first=Wesley | last=Yin-Poole | date=September 23, 2014 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730201445/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-09-23-heres-a-quick-look-at-counter-strike-nexon-zombies | archive-date=July 30, 2015 | url-status=live }} The game launched on October 7, 2014, featuring 50 maps and 20 game modes.{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/counter-strike-nexon-zombies-ambles-onto-steam-today/ | title=Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies ambles onto Steam today | work=PC Gamer | publisher=Future Publishing | first=Shaun | last=Prescott | date=October 7, 2014 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529055717/http://www.pcgamer.com/counter-strike-nexon-zombies-ambles-onto-steam-today/ | archive-date=May 29, 2016 | url-status=live }} The game features both player versus player modes such as team deathmatch, hostage rescue, and bomb defusal, alongside player versus environment modes such as cooperative campaign missions and base defending. Reception from critics was generally negative, with criticism aimed at the game's poor user interface, microtransactions,{{cite web | url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/09/25/counter-strike-nexon-zombies-open-beta/ | title=Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies Shambles Into Open Beta | work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun | first=Alice | last=O'Connor | date=September 25, 2014 | access-date=July 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723093102/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/09/25/counter-strike-nexon-zombies-open-beta/ | archive-date=July 23, 2015 | url-status=live }} and dated graphics. On October 30, 2019, Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies was renamed to Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio.{{cite web | url=https://steamdb.info/app/273110/history/?changeid=7115130 | title=Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio | work=SteamDB | access-date=May 3, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503200435/https://steamdb.info/app/273110/history/?changeid=7115130 | archive-date=May 3, 2020 | url-status=live }}

{{main|Counter-Strike in esports}}

Counter-Strike has over 20 years of competitive play beginning with the original Counter-Strike. The first major tournament was hosted in 2001 at the Cyberathlete Professional League which, along with World Cyber Games and Electronic Sports World Cup, were among the largest tournaments for the Counter-Strike series up to 2007. Since 2013, the Valve-sponsored Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major Championships have become the most prestigious tournaments in the franchise's history, featuring prize pools of around $1,000,000.{{Cite web| title = An eSports phenomenon: Counter-Strike| author = Llewellyn, Thomas| work = National Science and Media Museum| date = September 17, 2018| access-date = December 27, 2019| url = https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/counter-strike-esports/}}

Counter-Strike is considered one of the most influential first person shooters in history. The series has a large competitive community and has become synonymous with first person shooters.{{Cite web| title = Esports Essentials: The Legacy of Counter-Strike| author = Mitchell, Ferguson| work = The Esports Observer | date = September 4, 2018| access-date = January 13, 2020| url = https://esportsobserver.com/how-esports-works-counter-strike/}} {{As of|2011|August}}, the Counter-Strike franchise has sold over 25 million units.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-global-offensive-firing-up-early-2012/1100-6328645/ |title=Counter-Strike: Global Offensive firing up early 2012 |author=Makuch |date=August 12, 2011 |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. |access-date=August 13, 2011|first = Eddie|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140316052004/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-global-offensive-firing-up-early-2012/1100-6328645/|archive-date = March 16, 2014|url-status = live}} Because of its popularity, Counter-Strike has attracted considerable academic attention. Researchers have used data from Counter-Strike, among others, to examine the mood of players,{{Cite journal|last1=Behnke|first1=Maciej|last2=Chwiłkowska|first2=Patrycja|last3=Kaczmarek|first3=Lukasz D.|date=2021|title=What makes male gamers angry, sad, amused, and enthusiastic while playing violent video games?|journal=Entertainment Computing|volume=37|pages=100397|doi=10.1016/j.entcom.2020.100397|doi-access=free}} performance of obese players,{{Cite journal|last1=Parshakov|first1=Petr|last2=Naidenova|first2=Iuliia|last3=Assanskiy|first3=Arthur|last4=Nesseler|first4=Cornel|date=2022|title=Obesity and individual performance: the case of eSports|journal=International Journal of Obesity|volume=46|issue=8 |pages=1518–1526|doi=10.1038/s41366-022-01142-y|doi-access=free|pmid=35585184 }} and performance changes since the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.{{Cite journal|last1=Nesseler|first1=Cornel|last2=Shtrum|first2=Viktor|date=2024|title=War and Esport: The Russian Invasions Impact on the Performance of Ukrainian and Russian Professional Players|journal=Games and Culture|pages=1–19|doi=10.1177/15554120231224513|doi-access=free}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Counter-Strike series}}

{{Valve}}

{{Professional Counter-Strike competition}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Valve Corporation franchises

Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1999