Counter-Strike: Global Offensive • Eurogamer.net

Dunked in a frozen lake: Season 2 of awkward CSGO reality show Gamerz begins

Cringe.

I have no idea how dunking a bunch of 20-somethings in a hole in a frozen lake helps pro esports organisation Fnatic find a new Counter-Strike: Global Offensive academy team, nor how watching a largely unfit group tackle a kind of special ops obstacle course helps their cause, but it's cringingly fun to watch. And that, I suppose, is what Season 2 of CSGO reality show Gamerz is all about.

Counter-strike's new matchmaking system can tell if you've been naughty in other Steam games

Nice.

Counter-strike: Global Offensive has a new matchmaking system which takes into account your behaviour across Steam - not just in CS:GO.

Valve updates Counter-Strike's most iconic map

Dust 2 Dust.

Valve has updated Dust 2, probably the most popular and iconic Counter-Strike map.

In a post on the Counter-Strike website, Valve said it had improved "player readability" throughout the map, refined movement around the world including cover, and, crucially, upgraded the visuals to be in-line with modern maps. But it stressed it has not redesigned the map, considered one of the most balanced in CS:GO.

To give you an idea of the work Valve has done, at Bombsite B a number of overly dark spots in Tunnels now have natural light pouring in via a crumbling, torn away roof. The broken down car at the bomb site has been moved a bit to allow more free player flow, and the break in the wall has now been widened. Scaffold has been simplified (metal pipes should no longer get in your way) and a few electrical poles have been moved outside the playspace.

But future infractions will be punished.

YouTubers Trevor "TmarTn" Martin and Thomas "Syndicate" Cassell have dodged a fine for their promotion of a gambling site, which they secretly owned.

Esports are coming to BBC Three

To Gfinity and beyond.

BBC Three has announced it will bring viewers four hours of live esports coverage every weekend for the next six weeks, in collaboration with BBC Sport.

Gambling Commission warns parents about gambling websites

"They're parasites feeding off popular video games."

The Gambling Commission has warned parents about gambling websites, calling them "parasites feeding off popular video games".

Valve is using AI to detect Counter-Strike cheaters

They're learning.

In the battle against Counter-Strike cheaters, Valve has enlisted the help of an unusual source: AI.

Best-selling Steam games of 2016 revealed

Mix of old and new, big and small.

Happy New Year! Valve has revealed the top 100 best selling games on Steam in 2016. And given the size and dominance of Steam in the desktop gaming marketplace, the results are worth noting.

Four years later, modders add changing weather to Counter-Strike: GO

Not a Mirage.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive now has a cool-looking changing weather system thanks to a couple of modders.

Valve refutes gambling commission's accusations of illegal activity

"We are not aware of any such law that Steam or our games are violating."

Earlier this month the Washington State Gambling Commission set its sights on Valve, accusing the Steam developer of facilitating gambling as a number of illegal sites use Counter-Strike: Global Offensive skins as a form of currency for gambling. Since some skins are very rare, they get assigned high values of real-world currency, making them convenient for gambling sites to use as chips, so to speak. Valve has retaliated against these accusations, claiming that it's been compliant with the law and has previously collaborated with the Gambling Commission to crack down on sites using Steam services for nefarious means.

Why Counter-Strike: Global Offensive graffiti has fired up fans

Spray and pray.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's new graffiti consumables have angered some long-time fans of the game.

Gambling commission is cracking down on Valve over third-party skin gambling sites

Yet Valve was victorious in a class-action lawsuit over the same topic.

The Washington State Gambling Commission has set its sights on Valve over the proliferation of third-party sites using Steam's skin-trading system as a method of facilitating gambling.

CS:GO pros fight for $100,000 at EGX 2016

Plus: Playable Battlefield 1, Horizon and Dawn of War 3.

There will be some bamboozling pro Counter-Strike: Global Offensive action at EGX in Birmingham next month as Gfinity flies-in four of the best teams in the world to compete for $100,000.

CS:GO Lounge drops skin gambling following Valve crackdown

Boom, headshot.

CS:GO Lounge, one of the world's biggest Counter-Strike skins gambling websites, has closed its virtual items betting functions.

UK Gambling Commission seeks to tighten esports gambling

Following the CS:GO Lotto controversy.

The UK Gambling Commission is taking a renewed interest in esports betting, following the recent controversy surrounding sites such as CS:GO Lotto.

CSGO Lounge seeks gambling licence in bid for legitimacy

But will it be enough to dodge Valve's cease-and-desist?

One of the largest and high profile Counter-Strike gambling sites is seeking to stay online despite Valve's round of cease-and-desist letters.

Counter-Strike: GO event pulled from German TV after Munich attack

Channel decides not to broadcast esports finals.

A German TV channel has pulled its esports coverage in the wake of last week's shooting in Munich.

One of the biggest Twitch streamers bites the dust as Valve's CS:GO gambling crackdown continues

Jackpot.

Twitch has banned one of its biggest streamers as the crackdown on Counter-Strike gambling websites continues.

Two weeks on, has the YouTube CS:GO Lotto controversy changed anything?

Bet you it hasn't.

A fortnight ago, YouTube stars Trevor "Tmartn" Martin and Tom "Syndicate" Cassell were discovered as the owners of gambling site CS:GO Lotto.

Steam gambling sites such as CS:GO Lotto banned on Twitch

On the money.

Yesterday, Valve clarified its rules on sites that use Steam to run gambling businesses.

Valve to crack down on gambling sites offering in-game goods

"We have never received any revenue from them."

Valve has promised to crack down on users who offer in-game goods as prizes for gambling sites.

When a Counter-Strike gambling site offers to rig a bet for a YouTube star

"We need the video ASAP. Just name the price."

We've heard a lot this week about how Counter-Strike gambling sites can rig their bets for high profile YouTubers.

Exposed YouTube star says sorry you didn't realise he owned gambling site he promoted

UPDATE: TmarTn's lawyer says "no further public comments" at this time.

UPDATE 2.15pm: Shamed YouTube star Trevor "TmarTn" Martin has not responded to requests for comment on the matter of his gambling site promotion and ownership, but he has appointed a legal team to respond on his behalf.

CS:GO gambling sites can be "rigged" for YouTuber promotion, streamer reveals

"I'm not a big YouTuber so no one really f***ing cares."

Yesterday, many were shocked to hear how two YouTube stars had promoted an online gambling site without disclosing the fact they were its owners.

Steam warns users against gambling site after YouTube stars discovered as owners

UPDATE: TmarTn apologies to anyone who felt matter was not "clear enough".

UPDATE 7/7/16 10.00pm: Exposed YouTube star TmarTn has issued a brief apology video as part of an unsuccessful attempt to calm the furore.

Valve explains why Counter-Strike: Global Offensive isn't giftable during Steam sale

But some reckon there's more to it.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is not giftable during the ongoing Steam sale, Valve has confirmed.

Valve pumps even more money into Counter-Strike eSports

"The professional CS:GO community has been growing at an incredible rate."

Counter-Strike eSports continues its impressive growth in popularity - and Valve is pumping more money into prize pools as a result.

How one Counter-Strike player tricked over 3000 cheaters into getting banned

Fake h4xx.

Players have been using hacks to cheat at first-person shooters for years. Now, the tables have turned.

Why Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players are upset at Valve's community server clampdown

Mods in the firing line.

In July 2015, Valve promised to strike hard at Counter-Strike: Global Offensive community servers it deemed were in breach of its guidelines. Now, it's made good on that promise.

Hearthstone 99/1 to be a part of the Winter Olympics 2030

Big business bets on eSports.

Will Blizzard's virtual collectible card game Hearthstone be a part of the Winter Olympics 2030?

ESL to test pro Counter-Strike players for cannabis use during Cologne tournament

First eSports drug testing bids to weed out cheaters.

The Electronic Sports League will randomly test professional players for cannabis, among other banned substances, during its next tournament as part of its new anti-doping effort.

ESL introduces eSports' first drugs tests

Following pro player's admission of doping.

ESL, the world's largest eSports events company, begins randomised testing for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) next month.

eSports organisations promise tougher drugs rules after player admits doping

"We've known for some time that performance-enhancing drugs would be a challenge."

Earlier this month a professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player claimed he and his teammates had used the performance-enhancing drug adderall during a recent ESL tournament.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's hitboxes are "being worked on"

After nearly three years.

After nearly three years on the market Valve will be tweaking an important component of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive by altering its hitboxes.

World's largest Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament set for August

$250,000 up for grabs at 15,000-seater stadium in Germany.

The Counter-Strike eSports scene has suffered a number of high-profile scandals in recent months, but it's safe to say it's booming.

UK's first eSports arena opens in London next month

GG.

While eSports is big business in North America and East Asia, where thousands pack out stadiums to watch professional gamers compete at live events, in the UK it's fair to say eSports has yet to take off in a live setting at least.

Valve issues warning to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive eSports community

Tells players not to gamble, but will they listen?

In its ongoing bid to clean up the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive eSports community, developer Valve has told all involved with its events to avoid gambling on matches.

Valve bans Counter-Strike pros accused of match-fixing

Valve steps in as CS:GO eSports scene rocked by scandal.

Valve has come down hard on professional Counter-Strike players who were caught match-fixing.

Gone Home's map has been faithfully reconstructed in Counter-Strike: GO

Gone Homeland security.

If you felt like Fullbright's coming-of-age drama Gone Home was missing something, and that something is guns, then you're in luck! Steam modder Nipper has faithfully recreated that game's setting, the Greenbriar estate, as a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive map.

Hoax call sees YouTuber arrested by SWAT while live streaming

Terrorists win.

Popular YouTube channel The Creatures has become the latest victim of swatting - the act of hoax-calling police to swoop in on unsuspecting innocent targets.

Newell on Source 2, CS:GO Linux and... Ricochet 2

Valve boss takes on Reddit AMA.

Valve boss Gabe Newell has concluded his Reddit AMA (conducted to support the fundraising effort Valve is doing for the Seattle Children's Hospital), and in the process has offered a few snippets of information on what the company is up to.

Gabe Newell addresses concern over Valve Anti-Cheat system

"Do we care what porn sites you visit? Oh, dear god, no. My brain just melted."

Gabe Newell has taken the unusual step of addressing concern over VAC - Valve's anti-cheat system.

Overwatch is Valve handing ban power to the Counter-Strike: GO community

Do-badders will be judged collectively by do-gooders.

Valve is handing ban-power to the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive community so it can regulate itself. This self-police force will be known as Overwatch.

Valve announces Counter-Strike: Global Offensive community map pack

Operation Payback brings seven top maps to official servers.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive developer Valve has announced Operation Payback - a collection of seven top-rated community maps now available on official servers.

An Operation Payback pass costs $2.99 (down from $5.99 for a limited time). At least some of the money will go back to the maps' creators, although Valve doesn't specify how much.

The pass lets you bring friends into matches on Payback maps, which are hosted on low-ping official servers. You'll also get an exclusive challenge coin.

Perhaps he Newell along.

Valve's Santa Claus I mean Gabe Newell will be the video game hero awarded a BAFTA Fellowship this year.

Replica Montreal subway map for Counter-Strike: GO attracts ire of Canadian authorities

Maker told it could create a panic.

Build a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive map replicating a public space and you may get in trouble.

Gabe Newell named as next AIAS Hall of Famer

Oh they'll induct anyone have they no standards etc..

Such is his influence on the world of videogames and computing that it's a wonder Gabe Newell hasn't been inducted into the prestigious Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame already. This coming February at the 2013 D.I.C.E. summit will be his moment.

Don't like the way Sony runs the PlayStation Store? "You should be careful what you wish for" says Yoshida

Sony exec admits having 3 PSN IDs, one for Japan, one for the US and one for Europe.

Do you have multiple PlayStation Network IDs so you can access the PlayStation Store in different countries?

The Walking Dead, Doom 3 BFG Edition on EU PlayStation Store

But still no Retro City Rampage or CS:GO.

This week's EU PlayStation Store update includes The Walking Dead: Episode Four (�3.99) and Doom 3 BFG Edition (�29.99).

Valve's Chet Faliszek on Steam Greenlight, Counter-Strike and the future of Left 4 Dead

"Will you make Left 4 Dead 3?"

It's a busy time for Valve, and it's a busy time for Chet Faliszek. Fresh from his work on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (more on its absence from the EU PlayStation Store later), he's now hard at work making Left 4 Dead, the ground-breaking co-op zombie thriller, better. But he still found the time to pop along to Eurogamer Expo last week to deliver a developer session (twice) on how to get a job in the game industry.

Tokyo Jungle just �9.99 on EU PlayStation Store today

But still no Counter Strike: GO.

Post-apocalyptic Attenborough 'em-up Tokyo Jungle is available to download from the EU PlayStation Store today. It costs just �9.99.

Five weeks later, still no Counter-Strike: GO on EU PS3 Store

"Sorry, again I have nothing to say on it still."

This is the fifth week Counter-Strike: Global Offensive hasn't shown up on the PlayStation Store.

Counter-Strike: GO misses PlayStation Store for fourth week

Digital releases for Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 aim to scratch your multiplayer itch instead.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has failed to appear on the EU PlayStation Store once again, marking four weeks since it was supposed to launch. Xbox 360 and PC players have been able to play the game since August 21st.

Digital FoundryCounter-Strike: Global Offensive triple-format comparison gallery

Digital FoundryCounter Strike: Global Offensive PS3 Performance Video

30 frames per second with screen-tear during taxing scenes characterises the PS3 version of this game.

Digital FoundryCounter Strike: Global Offensive Xbox 360 Performance Video

A fairly solid 30FPS on the Microsoft platform.

Digital FoundryCounter Strike: Global Offensive Digital Foundry PC Performance Video.

The Digital Foundry PC is ideally suited to low-demand games like Global Offensive. Even cranked up to 1080p with 4x MSAA, and all other settings completely maxed out, the frame rate rarely drops below 60FPS. Here we see the Lake map in Demolition mode ca

Digital FoundryCounter-Strike: Global Offensive Xbox 360 vs. PC Face-Off Video

The Microsoft platform compared head-to-head with the PC version at 720p, with all settings ramped up to their highest levels.

Digital FoundryCounter-Strike: Global Offensive PS3 vs. PC Face-Off Video

The Sony console compared with the PC game running at maximum settings at 720p.

Digital FoundryCounter-Strike: Global Offensive Face-Off Video

Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation 3 in this revamped version of the classic shooter.

Digital FoundryFace-Off: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Source code.

-

Xbox 360

PlayStation 3

While Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 HD arrive for PS3, Vita.

Counter-Strike Global Offensive has failed to appear on the EU PlayStation Store for a third week, as Sony continues to remain unable to explain its absence.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive still MIA from EU PSN

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD launches though.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has updated the EU PlayStation Store and downloadable shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is still nowhere to be seen.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive gets a new patch on Steam

Now get aim-punched when shot.

Despite only having been out for a few days, Valve has already updated Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on Steam with a new patch tweaking the mechanics and fixing various bugs.

The full list of changes (as listed by Valve) include:

Gameplay

UPDATE: Sony says sorry for delay, but fails to confirm new release date.

UPDATE: Sony has apologised to PS3-owning Counter-Strike fans after CS:GO failed to turn up on the EU PlayStation Store today.

Eurogamer.net Podcast #125: Globally Offensive

The new Counter-Strike is out today. Three 'specialists' discuss their work in its theatres.

"Freedom is not going to protect itself." If there are any words that more accurately summarise Eurogamer's position on the War On Terror, then I have not made them up yet.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Review

From Dust to Dust 2.

I am what you might call a lapsed Terrorist. Around a decade ago, you could often find me skulking around Italian wine cellars with AK-47s, or cowering behind hostages in a conference room watching for SWAT. I wasn't exactly a brilliant servant to the cause - some of my exploits made the underpants bomber look like a pro, like headshotting one of my team-mates with a grenade while he checked a stairwell - but I was dedicated. No matter how many times I would charge into battle, knife in hand for faster movement, only to be blinded by a flashbang and then slain while hopping wildly into a wall of gunfire, I would always be there the next time around, ready to lay down my life all over again.

(I also played as a Counter-Terrorist half the time, obviously, but my heart was never in it.)

I can't remember why I stopped playing Counter-Strike, but I'm immediately back at home in Global Offensive, Valve and Hidden Path's latest overhaul of Jess Cliffe and Minh Le's original Half-Life modification. The main team-based objective modes see Terrorists trying to plant a bomb while Counter-Terrorists try to wipe them out and/or defuse it, or Counter-Terrorists trying to rescue hostages while Terrorists try to wipe them out. Cash earned from kills or team success allows you to buy better weapons before each round, and these modes take you on a tour of some of the best multiplayer shooter levels ever designed: Dust, Italy, Nuke, Train, Dust 2, Aztec, Office and Inferno. You're also rewarded with superficial awards and MVP points, but beyond that there's no XP-based progression, classes or custom builds, and once you're dead there's no respawning until the next round begins, so life is a bit more valuable than it is in other shooters.

Some happy Friday rambling about stuff in video games. No harm done.

Earlier today, I was sat at my desk listening to the chorus of early-morning tweets from friends and co-workers, and one stuck out to me. GamesIndustry International editor Matt Martin reflected on his time in Cologne this week with this: "Almost all my interviews at Gamescom this week were about free-to-play. Anything else was just filler."

Counter-Strike: GO hour-long trial exclusively for PlayStation Plus subscribers

Won't be offered PS3-wide.

An hour-long timed trial of the full Counter-Strike: Global Offensive game will be offered exclusively to PlayStation Plus subscribers on PS3.

"This is a special demo and not available in the PlayStation Store," Sony America explained (via Kotaku).

If you're on an American time-zone, the timed trial will be downloaded automatically - via Automatic Download - while you sleep on 20th August. That's the eve of CS: GO's global launch. So, presumably, the trial won't be playable until 21st. But this isn't specified.

Get all games in the franchise for under �13.

Pre-purchase the Steam version of upcoming competitive multiplayer first-person shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and you'll be able to play it a week early, Valve has announced.

Valve opens Euro office, updates Steam terms

Disallows class action lawsuits, improves individual claims.

Before you can use Steam, you must agree to Steam's terms. And those terms - the Steam Subscriber Agreement and Valve's Privacy Policy - have been updated.

Valve has also opened a new office in Luxembourg to better serve its European audience with. Nice place, Luxembourg - has a population of half-a-million and a capital city named Luxembourg.

The most significant change to the Steam terms concerns taking Valve to court over a dispute.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive release date announced

Around $15 on all platforms.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive launches on 21st August, Valve has announced.

It launches on Steam, PSN and XBLA for approximately $15 on all platforms.

More to follow.

Valve launches Steam remote downloads

Download pre-loads, new releases and latest purchases while out and about.

Valve has launched Steam remote downloads.

The feature, which was in beta, enables Steam users to manage their library of games remotely via the internet. If you leave Steam running on your PC or Mac, you can log into the Steam website or mobile access and download pre-loads, new releases and latest purchases, as soon as they're available. When you're home, your new downloads will be installed and ready to play.

You can do this from the Games list on the Steam Community site, which you can access from a web browser or the Steam mobile app. The Games list will reflect the installation state of your library on that machine. Find your game and hit install to trigger remote download.

"A fearless adventure in knowing what to do when no one's there telling you what to do."

The Valve Handbook for New Employees has hit the internet.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive cross-platform play ditched

To "make all platforms stronger by not mixing them".

Valve has ditched cross-platform play in upcoming downloadable shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive support Razer Hydra PC motion controller

Added to Left 4 Dead 2, Half-Life 2, Team Fortress 2 and 250 Steam games.

Upcoming Valve games Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive will support the Razer Hydra PC motion controller.

Fill out a Valve survey to get a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive beta key

"There are no wrong answers."

If you fill out a Valve survey you may get a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive beta key.

The next set of beta keys will be sent on the basis of this survey, Valve said.

"If you don't fill it out, you won't be getting a key," reads a post on the Counter-Strike blog.

Valve: piracy a "non-issue" for Steam

Perhaps Gabe Newell along.

Valve co-founder and CEO Gabe Newell believes piracy stems not from price, but from convenience. And as Steam boasts fast access to a dizzying selection of games, so piracy has become "basically a non-issue" for Valve.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive beta release date revealed

To launch worldwide for anyone with a key.

The Counter-Strike: Global Offensive public beta goes live worldwide to anyone in possession of a key on 30th November, Valve has announced.

Valve said on Twitter "it is important to us to get current players in the beta. That will happen. No ETA on when yet".

The beta is available for the PC only. It begins with two maps: Dust and Dust2, and is designed to be at first a "subset" of the game.

Valve delays Counter-Strike: GO beta

Full release "when the community tells us".

Valve has delayed the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive beta because of feedback given by professional Counter-Strike 1.6 players.

The closed beta was planned for October, and now has no start date.

Professionals were invited to play the game and offer their thoughts. Valve's Chet Faliszek explained that their early access was granted because they could "talk intelligently about the game", whereas with the masses, constructive feedback can be hard to come by.

EG Expo Game of the Show: The Nominees

10 contenders from the Earls Court show floor.

Eurogamer is delighted to announce the 10 nominees for its Game of the Show, Eurogamer Expo 2011.

Counter-Strike Global Offensive screens

Arsenal modes blown open.

Valve announces new CS: GO modes

New spins on Gun Game.

Valve has announced a brace of new modes for its online shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, with Arsenal: Demolition and Arsenal: Arms Race coming to the popular game.

Both modes are a spin on the popular mod Gun Game, which sees players starting with a basic loadout, which is then upgraded as they chalk up more kills. The two new modes will also introduce eight new maps for the game.

"We are excited that Valve reached out and is working with us to

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Strike three.

It can be difficult to get into a multiplayer shooter that's been out for even a week. Other players will know the layout of the maps, have a keener understanding of the weapons, and a better feel for the controls. Now imagine getting into a game that's been played obsessively for over a decade and it can feel next to impossible.�

Steam vs. Origin: Is Competition Good for Gamers?

EA, GOG, Gamersgate, Gabe Newell weigh in.

From its humble roots as a conduit for Counter-Strike back in 2003 to its current status as a digital delivery juggernaut with over 30 million subscribers, Steam's rise has been little short of remarkable. With an estimated 70 per cent share of the entire PC market, Valve's store has transformed a small developer into one of the games industry's most powerful players.

PS3 CS: GO supports keyboard and mouse

PS3/PC cross-platform play confirmed.

PlayStation 3 owners will be able to use a keyboard and mouse to play download only online shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

VideoCounter-Strike: Global Offensive footage

PS3, PC cross-platform play confirmed.

Valve wants Steamworks in CS: GO XBLA

Would love Xbox Live restriction relaxed.

Valve wants the Xbox Live Arcade version of upcoming shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to feature Steamworks integration.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive logo

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive official

Mac, PC, PSN and XBLA early next year.

Valve has announced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, due out on PC, Mac (via Steam), PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade early 2012.