Counter-Strike: Condition Zero

File:Counter-Strike Condition Zero screenshot.jpg]]

Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, like its predecessor and successors, is a tactical, team-based first-person shooter featuring two opposing teams: Counter-Terrorists and Terrorists.{{Harvnb|Ham|Stratton|2004|p=4}} The game has three game modes—single-player, multiplayer and Deleted Scenes.{{Cite web |last=Bowen |first=Kevin |date=February 4, 2004 |title=Hands-On - Counter-Strike: Condition Zero |url=http://www.planethalflife.com/features/articles/csczhandson/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041204141858/http://www.planethalflife.com/features/articles/csczhandson/ |archive-date=December 4, 2004 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=Planet Half-Life}}

The multiplayer game mode is similar to Counter-Strike but differs in that the maps are better in quality. The matches follow a round-based structure where players do not respawn until the round ends.{{Harvnb|Ham|Stratton|2004|p=144}} Unlike some shooters where weapons are provided at the start of each round, players must purchase their own weapons, armor, and ammunition using in-game money earned through gameplay. The game mode features a reward system where players receive money for completing specific objectives. Eliminating an enemy grants $300, while Terrorists earn $2750 if they successfully plant and detonate the bomb. Counter-Terrorists are awarded $2000 per player for rescuing all hostages or eliminating the opposing team. The maximum amount a player can accumulate is $16000.

Tour of Duty is a single-player game mode featuring short matches with specific objectives. It follows the style of online Deathmatch games but differs in that players do not respawn immediately after dying; instead, the match continues until the objective is completed or time runs out.{{Harvnb|Ham|Stratton|2004|p=52}} The mode also restricts players to certain weapons and enforces a time limit to complete objectives.{{Cite web |last=Radcliffe |first=Doug |date=January 18, 2006 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Walkthrough |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-condition-zero-walkthrough/1100-6092053/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730052736/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-condition-zero-walkthrough/1100-6092053/ |archive-date=July 30, 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=GameSpot}} The player begins with a knife as a melee weapon, a standard pistol, and some starting money. They have a five-second grace period to purchase additional weapons and equipment before the round starts. Players can also earn more money after each round to spend on additional weaponry and equipment. After winning an objective, the player gains a reputation point which can be used to upgrade a bot's attributes. AI bots are able to change their tactics, respond to sound and switch routes.

Condition Zero: Deleted Scenes is a separate, linear single-player game mode that features 12 missions.{{Harvnb|Ham|Stratton|2004|p=77}} It is the result of Ritual Entertainment's work on the game and stands apart from other Counter-Strike releases due to its inclusion of a storyline and set objectives.{{Cite web |last=Larson |first=Dave |date=April 25, 2004 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Overview |url=https://www.gamechronicles.com/reviews/pc/cstrike/czero.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040515093708/https://www.gamechronicles.com/reviews/pc/cstrike/czero.htm |archive-date=May 15, 2004 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=Game Chronicles}} Unlike other modes, Deleted Scenes introduces new types of equipment, such as a digital camera, walkie-talkie, blowtorch, remote-controlled bombs, and a fiber-optic camera. The missions are set in various locations around the world, with each mission starting with a briefing. Players are tasked with objectives like bomb defusal or hostage rescue, and are provided with specific loadouts for each mission.

Following the sudden decision by Electronic Arts to cancel the PlayStation 2 port of American McGee's Alice in January 2001, developer Rogue Entertainment was left without a project.{{Cite web |last=Mathews |first=Jack |date=May 17, 2001 |title=More on Rogue-Valve Fallout |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/14041/more-on-rogue-valve-fallout |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206153907/http://www.shacknews.com/article/14041/more-on-rogue-valve-fallout |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Shacknews}} To quickly secure new work, Rogue contacted various companies and received several promising job offers.{{Cite web |last=Gibson |first=Steve |date=February 6, 2001 |title=Rogue Not Dead |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/12112/rogue-not-dead |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214133127/https://www.shacknews.com/favicon.ico |archive-date=February 14, 2025 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Shacknews}} One of the companies Rogue Entertainment approached was Valve Software. Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, had long wanted to see single-player missions in Counter-Strike. As a result, Valve offered Rogue Entertainment the opportunity to develop such a project.{{Cite web |last=Callaham |first=John |date=May 14, 2001 |title=New CS Not Cancelled |url=http://www.voodooextreme.com/comments.taf?postID=15167&_start=156 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010527020610/http://www.voodooextreme.com/comments.taf?postID=15167&_start=156 |archive-date=May 27, 2001 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Voodoo Extreme}} By April 2001, an agreement was reached for Rogue to begin development on Counter-Strike: Condition Zero.{{Cite web |last=Callaham |first=John |date=April 13, 2001 |title=Rogue Working On New Game |url=http://www.stomped.com/shared/nsystem/comments/16747_1_page_1.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010416235100/http://www.stomped.com/shared/nsystem/comments/16747_1_page_1.php |archive-date=April 16, 2001 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=STOMPED}} As E3 2001 approached, Rogue Entertainment entered crunch mode to prepare a playable demonstration of the game.

About a month into development, Jim Molinets, the producer at Rogue Entertainment, announced his departure. This news surprised employees at both Rogue and Valve. Rogue assured Valve that Molinets' exit would not impact development, as most of his work had already been completed. However, Valve expressed concerns about Rogue's financial stability and, feeling betrayed, withdrew the project from Rogue's hands.

Rogue Entertainment employees were angered by the decision and leaked details of their negotiations with Valve. Additionally, screenshots allegedly from Rogue's work on Condition Zero surfaced online.{{Cite web |date=May 14, 2001 |title=CS: Condition Zero |url=http://csnation.counter-strike.net/comments.php?id=2859 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020302002902/http://csnation.counter-strike.net/comments.php?id=2859 |archive-date=March 2, 2002 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=CS-Nation}} The leaked images sparked controversy within the gaming community, with some criticizing the game's visuals as outdated. Bobby Pavlock, a level designer at Rogue, defended the images, explaining that they represented only a few days of work and were not indicative of the final product.{{Cite web |last=Callaham |first=John |date=May 14, 2001 |title=Rogue In Peril |url=http://www.voodooextreme.com/comments.taf?postid=15160 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010527020715/http://www.voodooextreme.com/comments.taf?postid=15160 |archive-date=May 27, 2001 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Voodoo Extreme}}

Ultimately, losing two major projects in quick succession financially crippled Rogue Entertainment. Many employees departed, leading to the company's acquisition by United Developers later that year.{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2001 |title=United Developers Officially Announced: Adds Rogue Entertainment as Affiliate Company |url=https://www.bluesnews.com/a/223/united-developers-officially-announced-adds-rogue-entertainment-as-affiliate-company |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204104003/https://www.bluesnews.com/a/223/united-developers-officially-announced-adds-rogue-entertainment-as-affiliate-company |archive-date=February 4, 2017 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Blue's News}}

At Valve Software, development of Condition Zero continued under a team led by Erik Johnson, with a planned release in fall 2001.{{Cite magazine |title=Computer Gaming World |issue=204 |date=July 2001 |magazine=Ziff Davis Media }} Due to the lack of official information, public interest in the game grew. On May 14, 2001, Computer Gaming World announced an exclusive preview in an upcoming issue. Shortly before E3, Jess Cliffe confirmed to both CS-Nation and the official Counter-Strike website that Condition Zero would be showcased at the event, which was never done. For unknown reasons, Condition Zero did not appear at E3 2001.{{Cite web |last=Bye |first=John |date=May 21, 2001 |title=Counter-Strike goes solo |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_30685 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206195353/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-30685 |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Eurogamer}}

Randy Pitchford, president of Gearbox Software, had been discussing the possibility of working on a Counter-Strike-related project with Valve Software for some time, but prior commitments had prevented Gearbox from pursuing the opportunity. However, by May 2001, Gearbox was nearing the completion of Half-Life: Blue Shift and the PlayStation 2 port of Half-Life, making resources available for a new project.{{cite web |last=Aihoshi |first=Richart |date=July 5, 2002 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Interview |url=http://actionvault.ign.com/features/interviews/cscz.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020802004438/http://actionvault.ign.com/features/interviews/cscz.shtml |archive-date=August 2, 2002 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Action Vault IGN}}{{cite web |last=Ajami |first=Amer |date=May 19, 2001 |title=E3 2001: Half-Life: Blue Shift goes gold |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2001-half-life-blue-shift-goes-gold/1100-2762024/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515193241/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2001-half-life-blue-shift-goes-gold/1100-2762024/ |archive-date=May 15, 2017 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=GameSpot}} Consequently, Gearbox approached Valve to propose working on Counter-Strike: Condition Zero.

Gearbox and Valve quickly reached an agreement that assigned primary development of Condition Zero to Gearbox.{{cite web |last=Mike |date=October 2001 |title=Randy Pitchford Interview |url=http://www.mgon.com/interviews.phtml?id=104671 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011214084403/http://www.mgon.com/interviews.phtml?id=104671 |archive-date=December 14, 2001 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Media & Games Online Network}} The prior work done by Rogue Entertainment was largely discarded, and Gearbox essentially restarted development.{{cite web |last=Pachoey |date=October 16, 2001 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero: Affirmative! Action! |url=http://www.gamehelper.com/common/default.asp?App_Module=CMD&exe=ARTICLES1&ID=88 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030118132614/http://www.gamehelper.com/common/default.asp?App_Module=CMD&exe=ARTICLES1&ID=88 |archive-date=January 18, 2003 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=GameHelper}} The initial focus was on adding more content, particularly new maps.{{cite web |date=January 7, 2017 |title=Gearbox Software Interviews: Josh Jeffcoat |url=http://cscz.atwebpages.com/int_gbx_joshjeffcoat.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020035552/http://cscz.atwebpages.com/int_gbx_joshjeffcoat.html |archive-date=October 20, 2017 |access-date=February 28, 2017 |website=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Information Vault}} To assist with content creation, several prominent community designers were recruited, including David Johnston, Christopher Auty, and Alexander Manilov.{{cite web |last=Ham |first=Tom |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (PC) |url=http://www.gamespy.com/previews/september01/condzero/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011204193745/http://www.gamespy.com/previews/september01/condzero/ |archive-date=December 4, 2001 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=GameSpy}}{{cite web |last=Half-Pint |date=February 7, 2002 |title=Barney "n@rby" Interview |url=http://csnation.counter-strike.net/articles.php/9/2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021218213427/http://csnation.counter-strike.net/articles.php/9/2/ |archive-date=December 18, 2002 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=CS-Nation}} Additionally, several texture artists, including Mike "MikeZilla" Neumann, joined the project.{{cite web |last=Laprad |first=David |date=November 9, 2001 |title=Condition Zero Interview |url=http://www.avault.com/featured/cszero/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031214170154/http://www.avault.com/featured/cszero/ |archive-date=2003-12-14 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=The Adrenaline Vault}} Another significant addition to the team was Markus Klinge, creator of the original Podbot, who was hired to develop an official bot for the game.

Gearbox Software's version of the game was unveiled to the public in late August 2001.{{cite web |last=Gibson |first=Steve |date=August 27, 2001 |title=Gearbox: Condition Zero |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/15674/gearbox-condition-zero |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228202112/https://www.shacknews.com/article/15674/gearbox-condition-zero |archive-date=February 28, 2025 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Shacknews}} Initially, a Q1 2002 release was planned. The single-player mode took inspiration from console games such as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, incorporating objectives that rewarded cash for upgrades and equipment purchases. The design at this stage featured over 16 maps across four campaigns, each with approximately 10 objectives.{{cite web |last=Callaham |first=John |date=September 24, 2001 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Interview |url=http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=2162 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011008054542/http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=2162 |archive-date=October 8, 2001 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=HomeLAN Fed}}

By November 2001, the game was nearing alpha status. The number of maps had increased to between 20 and 30, organized into five campaigns. By December, the game was considered feature-complete, with 25 maps spread across six campaigns. On February 12, 2002, it was announced that the release had been delayed to Q2 2002 to refine the AI.{{cite web |date=February 12, 2002 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero To Ship Worldwide Q2 2002 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/counter_strike_condition_zero_to_ship_worldwide_q2_2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209001746/http://www.gamezone.com/news/counter_strike_condition_zero_to_ship_worldwide_q2_2002 |archive-date=February 9, 2017 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=GameZone}}

At the Game Developers Conference in March 2002, Valve decided to shift the single-player design to a more traditional linear experience, leading to significant changes. This new vision was revealed at E3 2002.{{cite web |last=Laprad |first=David |date=April 29, 2002 |title=Condition Zero Update |url=http://www.avault.com/news/displaynews.asp?story=4292002-8364 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020603175951/http://www.avault.com/news/displaynews.asp?story=4292002-8364 |archive-date=June 3, 2002 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=The Adrenaline Vault}}

In July 2002, Gearbox Software ceased development on Condition Zero, and Valve took over.{{cite web |date=December 6, 2002 |title=Randy Pitchford |url=https://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/finger.pl?id=293&time=20021206203741 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127145534/https://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/finger.pl?id=293&time=20021206203741 |archive-date=November 27, 2005 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Blue's News}} Gearbox cited a focus on "future technology and more innovative gameplay" as the reason for their departure. Shortly after, Valve assigned development to Ritual Entertainment, leading to yet another iteration of the game.{{cite web |last=Ham |first=Tom |date=December 13, 2002 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (PC) |url=http://www.gamespy.com/previews/december02/csczpc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021221222841/http://www.gamespy.com/previews/december02/csczpc/ |archive-date=December 21, 2002 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=GameSpy}}

Following Electronic Arts' decision to cancel the PC port of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in early August 2002,{{cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=August 5, 2002 |title=Two Towers Cancelled? |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/05/two-towers-cancelled |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117221438/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/05/two-towers-cancelled |archive-date=January 17, 2014 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=IGN}} Ritual Entertainment found itself in a difficult situation. The project had been a lucrative one for the company,{{cite web |last=Gibson |first=Steve |date=December 30, 2002 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (Ritual Entertainment) |url=http://www.shacknews.com/extras/e_czero_ritual/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030127055853/http://www.shacknews.com/extras/e_czero_ritual/ |archive-date=January 27, 2003 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Shacknews}} allowing it to grow to over 50 employees.{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Sam |date=December 21, 2002 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero details |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-condition-zero-details/1100-2907463/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624101038/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-condition-zero-details/1100-2907463/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=GameSpot}} However, the cancellation left a large portion of Ritual's team without a project.

Just weeks earlier, Gearbox Software had withdrawn from developing the Counter-Strike series, prompting Valve Software to seek a new developer for Counter-Strike: Condition Zero and Counter-Strike Xbox.{{cite web |last=Stylsy |date=October 26, 2006 |title=Counter-Strike: Bringing the World's Most Popular Shooter to Xbox Live |url=http://www.ritualistic.com/content.php/articles/061026_csx.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101215539/http://www.ritualistic.com/content.php/articles/061026_csx.php |archive-date=January 1, 2007 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Ritualistic}} Valve appointed Ritual to develop the game and provided clear directives for them regarding the single-player campaign, envisioning a Half-Life-meets-Counter-Strike experience.{{Cite web |last= |date=January 1, 2000 |title=What's Up with Condition Zero? |url=http://www.1up.com/news/condition |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523102646/http://www.1up.com/news/condition |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=1Up Network}} Ritual and Valve redesigned the game from scratch while incorporating some content created by Gearbox.{{cite web |last=Pachoey |date=March 21, 2003 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Interview with Richard "Levelord" Gray |url=http://www.gamehelper.com/common/default.asp?App_Module=CMD&exe=ARTICLES1&ID=376 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030418171702/http://www.gamehelper.com/common/default.asp?App_Module=CMD&exe=ARTICLES1&ID=376 |archive-date=April 18, 2003 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=GameHelper}}{{cite web |last=Callaham |first=John |date=December 19, 2002 |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Interview with Erik Johnson |url=http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=10978 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021227203910/http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=10978 |archive-date=December 27, 2002 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=HomeLAN Fed}}

The primary focus was single-player, but multiplayer was not neglected. Ritual planned to enhance multiplayer with upgraded character and weapon models and new maps.{{cite web |last=Bishop |first=Stuart |date=December 25, 2002 |title=Interview: Ritual chats about Counter-Strike: Condition Zero |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=84935 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911030659/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=84935 |archive-date=September 11, 2007 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=Computer and Video Games}} Valve also contracted Turtle Rock Studios to develop a new multiplayer bot. Michael Booth was in charge of designing the bot.{{Cite book |last=Hodgson |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/HalfLife2RaisingTheBarUncorrectedProof/page/n107/mode/2up |title=Half Life 2: Raising The Bar Uncorrected Proof |date=October 2004 |publisher=Prima Games |isbn=0-7615-4364-3 |location=United States |page=120}} On December 6, 2002, Ritual's involvement was first made public,{{cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Maarten |date=December 6, 2002 |title=Ritual's Condition Zero |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/24031/rituals-condition-zero |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301143204/https://www.shacknews.com/article/24031/rituals-condition-zero |archive-date=March 1, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=Shacknews}} and a week later, their new design was unveiled. A showcase followed at the CPL Winter Tournament on December 20. A trailer was also released the same day.{{cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Trailer |url=http://www.fileshack.com/file.x?fid=1949 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030111031648/http://www.fileshack.com/file.x?fid=1949 |archive-date=January 11, 2003 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=FileShack |publisher=}}

By E3 2003, the game was nearly complete and featured 19 single-player missions, 10 new multiplayer maps, and expanded faction choices for multiplayer.{{cite web |last=Jensen |first=John |date=May 18, 2003 |title=E3 Impressions |url=http://csnation.counter-strike.net/articles.php/147/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030601195459/http://csnation.counter-strike.net/articles.php/147/ |archive-date=June 1, 2003 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=CS-Nation}} It was declared "98% complete,"{{cite web |last=Butts |first=Steve |date=May 6, 2003 |title=Condition Zero |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/401/401057p1.html?fromint=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030508125535/http://pc.ign.com/articles/401/401057p1.html?fromint=1 |archive-date=May 8, 2003 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=IGN}} however, in June 2003, Ritual faced financial difficulties after completing Star Trek: Elite Force II, leading to layoffs.{{cite web |title=Ritual lays off Elite Force 2 team |url=http://www.gamespydaily.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=5165 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030701070715/http://www.gamespydaily.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=5165 |archive-date=July 1, 2003 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=GameSpy}}{{Cite web |last=Tom |first=Jeff |date=June 14, 2003 |title=Elite Force 2 Team laid off |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/14/elite-force-2-team-laid-off |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301114646/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/14/elite-force-2-team-laid-off |archive-date=March 1, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=IGN}} Despite assurances, Condition Zero remained unreleased, due to quality concerns raised during internal testing. In July, European magazines published mediocre reviews of the game based on review copies. Unbeknownst to Ritual, Valve had decided to overhaul the game, placing Turtle Rock Studios in charge due to their successful bot design.

Turtle Rock Studios had already been involved in the game's development while it was under Ritual Entertainment, particularly in creating the official bots.{{cite web |last=Callaham |first=John |date=April 17, 2003 |title=Exclusives: Official Counter-Strike Bot Interview |url=http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=13555 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030426043612/http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=13555 |archive-date=April 26, 2003 |accessdate=March 1, 2025 |website=HomeLAN Fed}} Internal playtests at Valve Software and early reviews of Ritual's version of the game revealed significant design issues.{{cite web |last=Callaham |first=John |date=October 17, 2003 |title=CS: Condition Zero–Turtle Rock Studios Interview |url=http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=18013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040422141417/http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=18013 |archive-date=April 22, 2004 |accessdate=March 1, 2025 |website=HomeLAN Fed}} However, the official bot created by Turtle Rock had been well received by both the community and the press, which led Valve to give Turtle Rock the task of redesigning the game from scratch in June 2003.{{cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Thor |date=October 17, 2003 |title=Condition Zero commotion has golden ending |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/condition-zero-commotion-has-golden-ending/1100-6076946/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430053556/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/condition-zero-commotion-has-golden-ending/1100-6076946/ |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |accessdate=March 1, 2025 |website=GameSpot}}

Turtle Rock Studios' design drew inspiration from sports games,{{cite web |last=Butts |first=Steve |date=November 19, 2003 |title=PC Games: Condition Zero Interview |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/441/441228p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040208110113/http://pc.ign.com/articles/441/441228p1.html?fromint=1 |archive-date=February 8, 2004 |accessdate=March 1, 2025 |website=IGN}} and the success of the bots allowed them to create flexible, arcade-like missions for the game. The design by Gearbox Software was never officially cited as an influence. The work of Ritual Entertainment was chosen to be included as a bonus game titled Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Deleted Scenes.{{Cite web |last=Wazir |first=Saeed |date=January 28, 2025 |title=8 forgotten games that deserve a remake |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/forgotten-games-deserve-remake/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=XDA Developers |language=}}

On October 8, 2003, Turtle Rock Studios' version of the game was revealed to the public, with plans for the game to go gold by October 10, 2003, and to be released both at retail and on Steam by November 18, 2003.{{cite web |last=Gibson |first=Steve |date=October 8, 2003 |title=Condition Zero Gold Friday |url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/28718 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226152238/https://www.shacknews.com/article/28718/condition-zero-gold-friday |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |accessdate=March 1, 2025 |website=Shacknews}}

By November 18, 2003, the game had not yet been released. According to Jess Cliffe, the delay was due to finalization work needed on international versions of the game.{{cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Thor |date=November 19, 2003 |title=GameSpot: Condition Zero goes fool's gold |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/condition-zero-goes-fools-gold/1100-6083990/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430053636/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/condition-zero-goes-fools-gold/1100-6083990/ |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |accessdate=March 1, 2025 |website=GameSpot}} This delay became part of Valve's ongoing lawsuit with Vivendi Universal Games, with Valve alleging that Vivendi had intentionally delayed the release of Condition Zero to prevent it from competing during the 2003 holiday season.{{cite web |last=Feldman |first=Curt |date=December 1, 2004 |title=Valve prevails in cyber-café rights case |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-prevails-in-cyber-cafy-rights-case/1100-6114102/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217203958/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-prevails-in-cyber-cafy-rights-case/1100-6114102/ |archive-date=December 17, 2014 |accessdate=March 1, 2025 |website=GameSpot}}

Despite the continued uncertainty over the release date, Valve organized a launch party for the game on December 16, 2003, at the House of Shields in San Francisco. The event was announced as being open to those over 21, where attendees could play the final version of the game.{{cite web |title=CS:CZ Launch Party |url=http://www.cs-conditionzero.com/item.php?id=33 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040913202021/http://www.cs-conditionzero.com/item.php?id=33 |archive-date=September 13, 2004 |accessdate=March 1, 2025 |website=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero}}

On February 25, 2004, Vivendi Universal Games finally confirmed the game's release date of March 23, 2004.{{cite web |date=February 25, 2004 |title=Press Release: Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Ships to Stores |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/counter-strike-condition-zero-release-date-set |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223000130/http://www.gamezone.com/news/counter-strike-condition-zero-release-date-set |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |accessdate=March 1, 2025 |website=GameZone}} The game was officially released on the same date, almost three years after its initial announcement.{{cite web |url=http://www.steampowered.com/platform/update_history/Condition%20Zero.html |title=Steam: Condition Zero Update History |accessdate=2004-03-23}} Following its release, the game received numerous updates, including new character and weapon models, additional maps, a new radar/location system, and significant changes to the hostage rescue scenario.{{Cite web |last=Cliffe |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Cliffe |date=June 2, 2004 |title=CS:CZ 1.2 Released |url=http://www.counter-strike.net/news.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040612173345/http://www.counter-strike.net/news.html |archive-date=June 12, 2004 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=Counter-Strike}}

On February 21, 2013, a beta version of the game was made available for Linux and Mac OS X, with full support officially released on March 7, 2013.{{cite web |last=alfred |date=March 6, 2013 |title=Steam Community: Counter-Strike: Condition Zero |url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/80/announcements |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315061707/https://steamcommunity.com/games/80/announcements |archive-date=March 15, 2013 |accessdate=March 1, 2025 |website=Steam}}

{{Video game reviews

| GR = 67%

| MC = 65/100

| EuroG = 6/10

| GSpot = 6.8/10

| IGN = 7/10

}}

Condition Zero received "mixed or average reviews". It has a score of 65 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on reviews from 33 critics. The game was praised for its AI and new maps, while it was criticized for being out-of-date following its lengthy development.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/counter-strike-condition-zero/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=November 20, 2011 |archive-date=January 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122001140/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/counter-strike-condition-zero |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/533806-counter-strike-condition-zero/index.html |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero for PC |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=November 20, 2011 |archive-date=January 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105063550/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/533806-counter-strike-condition-zero/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_conditionzero_pc|title = Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Review|date = April 13, 2004|access-date = March 18, 2014|publisher = Eurogamer|last = Bramwell|first = Tom|archive-date = April 27, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140427191852/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_conditionzero_pc|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/24/counter-strike-condition-zero-review|title = Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Review|date = March 23, 2004|access-date = March 18, 2014|publisher = IGN|last = Butts|first = Steve|archive-date = November 28, 2012|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121128041954/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/24/counter-strike-condition-zero-review|df = mdy-all}}{{Cite web|url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/counter-strike-condition-zero/1900-6092063/|title = Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Review|date = March 23, 2014|access-date = March 18, 2014|publisher = GameSpot|last = Colayco|first = Bob|archive-date = February 10, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140210162425/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/counter-strike-condition-zero/1900-6092063/|url-status = live}}

Tom Bramwell from Eurogamer described the development process as chaotic, with early versions receiving negative feedback for being unpolished and lacking originality. However, he mentioned that the final version from Turtle Rock Studios was closer to the classic Counter-Strike feel, though it did not bring many new ideas. Bob Colayco from GameSpot also noted that the extended development cycle meant the game was outdated by the time it was released, overshadowed by more advanced shooters. Steve Butts from IGN acknowledged the troubled development but pointed out that at least the game was finished. He stated that while it introduced new offline challenges and improved bot AI, it lacked significant new content outside of the single-player modes.

One of the most praised aspects of Condition Zero was its bot AI, which offered a more lifelike challenge. Bramwell highlighted that the bots made tactical decisions, communicated with each other, and even made mistakes like throwing grenades at the wrong time or shooting in panic. Colayco also appreciated the complexity of the bots, though he pointed out that they sometimes failed to complete objectives or got stuck on the environment. Butts agreed, noting that the bots were frustrating at first, often failing tasks like defusing bombs, but later on the bots became more strategic, camping in key spots and communicating better.

The single-player mode, with its Tour of Duty campaign, received mixed reviews. Bramwell appreciated the variety of objectives and how they encouraged different playstyles. Colayco, however, felt that the mode didn't offer enough of a unique experience, since it mostly replicated the multiplayer experience with bots. Butts agreed, noting that while the challenge-based structure was useful for new players, some objectives felt out of place, such as sniping tasks on maps that were not suited for long-range combat and hostage rescue missions not working correctly if all enemies were eliminated before the hostages were rescued.

The Deleted Scenes mode, which followed a more linear, story-driven approach, was also criticized. Colayco found the missions outdated and compared them to older shooters from the late 1990s. Butts criticized the mode's linear design, saying it went against Counter-Strike{{'}}s usual appeal of freedom and improvisation.

Condition Zero did not bring many changes compared to its predecessor. Bramwell and Colayco pointed out that the multiplayer experience was essentially the same as what was already available for free with Counter-Strike. This led to the criticism that the game lacked a reason to exist, especially for long-time players. Butts was especially critical of the game's value, arguing that while the offline modes added some depth, the $40 price tag was hard to justify.

{{clear}}

{{main|Counter-Strike in esports}}

Condition Zero has been featured in tournament play, although neither Condition Zero nor Counter-Strike: Source was able to generate mass interest from players of the original Counter-Strike as their successor Counter-Strike: Global Offensive did.{{Cite web| title = Esports Essentials: The Impact of the Counter-Strike Majors| author = Mitchell, Ferguson| work = The Esports Observer| date = 2018-09-19| access-date = 27 December 2019| url = https://esportsobserver.com/esports-essentials-counter-strike-majors/| archive-date = December 27, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191227200121/https://esportsobserver.com/esports-essentials-counter-strike-majors/| url-status = live}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Ham |first=Tom |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Prima Official Strategy Guide |last2=Stratton |first2=Stephen |publisher=Prima Games |isbn=0-7615-4297-3 |location=Roseville, California |publication-date=2004 |url=https://archive.org/details/Counter_Strike_Condition_Zero_Prima_Official_eGuide}}

• [https://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/counter-strike-condition-zero Counter-Strike: Condition Zero] at MobyGames

{{Counter-Strike series}}

{{Valve}}

{{Ritual Entertainment}}

{{Professional Counter-Strike competition}}

{{Authority control}}

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