{{short description|2004 video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}} {{Infobox video game | title = Counter-Strike: Source | image = Counter-Strike Source (box art).jpg | developer = {{Unbulleted list|Valve|Turtle Rock Studios|Hidden Path Entertainment}} | publisher = Valve | designer = {{Unbulleted list|Jess Cliffe}} | series = ''Counter-Strike'' | engine = Source | released = {{Collapsible list | title = {{nobold|October 7, 2004}} | '''Windows''' | {{Video game release|WW|October 7, 2004<ref name="Steam News 327">{{cite web |title=Half-life 2 Steam Offers Ready Now |url=https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/327 |website=Steam |publisher=Valve |access-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208205808/http://www.steampowered.com/index.php?area=news&archive=yes&id=327 |archive-date=February 8, 2005 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} | '''Mac OS X''' | {{Video game release|WW|June 23, 2010<ref name='Steam News 3976' />}} | '''Linux''' | {{Video game release|WW|February 2013}} }} | genre = Tactical first-person shooter | modes = Multiplayer | platforms = Windows, Mac OS X, Linux }}
'''''Counter-Strike: Source''''' is a tactical first-person shooter video game developed by Valve and Turtle Rock Studios. Released in October 2004 for Windows,<ref name="Steam News 327" /> it is a remake of ''Counter-Strike'' (2000) using the Source game engine. As in the original, ''Counter-Strike: Source'' pits a team of counter-terrorists against a team of terrorists in a series of rounds. Each round is won either by completing an objective (such as detonating a bomb or rescuing hostages) or by eliminating all members of the enemy team. The game was initially bundled with all retail and digital copies of ''Half-Life 2'',<ref>Thorsen, Tor. [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-readying-half-life-2-bundles-counter-strike-source-available-next-week/1100-6109232/ "Valve readying Half-Life 2 bundles; Counter-Strike: Source available next week."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412193025/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-readying-half-life-2-bundles-counter-strike-source-available-next-week/1100-6109232/ |date=April 12, 2019 }} Gamespot. September 29, 2004.</ref> before being released standalone.
==Gameplay== [[File:Counter-Strike Source screenshot.png|thumb|left|A screenshot from the map "cs_italy". The player is holding a Maverick M4A1 Carbine.]] ''Counter-Strike: Source'' retains its team-based objective-oriented first-person shooter style gameplay. The aim of playing a map is to accomplish a map's objective: defusing the bomb, rescuing all hostages, or killing the entire opposing team. The ultimate goal of the game is to win more rounds than the opposing team. Once players are killed, they do not respawn until the next round, though this depends on which server people play on. This gameplay feature distinguishes Counter-Strike from other first-person shooter games, where players respawn instantly or after a short delay.
Shooting while moving dramatically decreases accuracy, and holding the trigger down to continuously shoot produces severe recoil. The severity of damage induced by weaponry is dependent upon the specific locations of hits, with hits to the head being most lethal and shots which make contact elsewhere causing lesser loss of health. Damage is also affected by the distance, and if the target wears protection.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}
==Development== ===Initial release=== ''Counter-Strike: Source'' is a remake of the original ''Counter-Strike'' built on Valve’s Source engine and the third major entry in the ''Counter-Strike'' series. Announced on May 12, 2004 during E3 presentation as the multiplayer counterpart to ''Half-Life 2'', it became the first Source engine game released by Valve Software, arriving on Steam for Windows on October 7, 2004, a month before ''Half-Life 2'' itself.<ref name="Steam News 327" /><ref name="raisebar">{{Cite book |last=Hodgson |first=David |title=Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar |publisher=Prima Games |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-7615-4364-0 |page=57}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Half-Life 2 & Counter-Strike Source News |url=http://www.shacknews.com/ja.zz?comments=31857 |work=Shacknews |date=May 12, 2004 |access-date=May 2, 2026|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040605072801/http://www.shacknews.com/ja.zz?comments=31857|archive-date = June 5, 2004|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="updatehistory" /> The first public beta became available on August 11, 2004 through the Valve Cyber Café Program, followed by a wider beta release on August 18 for owners of ''Counter-Strike: Condition Zero'' and users who received ''Half-Life 2'' vouchers bundled with select ATI Radeon video cards.<ref name="updatehistory">{{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/20071121194417/http://www.steampowered.com/platform/update_history/index.php?id=240&skin=0|archive-date = November 21, 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Counter-Strike: Source beta begins |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/counterstrikesource/news.html?sid=6104577 |work=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=August 11, 2004 |access-date=July 1, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140314043506/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-source-beta-begins/1100-6104577/|archive-date = March 14, 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{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|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100409071711/http://ati.amd.com/buy/promotions/cssource/index.html|archive-date = April 9, 2010|url-status = dead}}</ref> The game was later included in ''Half-Life 2'' retail bundles released on November 16, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2008|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/half-life-2/554654p1.html|title=Blow Off Some Steam and Pre-Order Half-Life 2 (PC)|publisher=GameSpy|date=October 6, 2004|author=Autrijve, Rainier Van|archive-date=October 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006131105/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/half-life-2/554654p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Counter-Strike: Source'' was developed primarily in-house at Valve, with contributions from the original ''Counter-Strike'' creators Minh Le and Jess Cliffe, as well as members of the ''Day of Defeat'' team.<ref name="raisebar" /> Following the game’s release, Turtle Rock Studios also became actively involved in supporting the game through post-release updates, having previously collaborated with Valve on ''Counter-Strike: Condition Zero'' and the Xbox port of the original ''Counter-Strike''.<ref name="GIHistory">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/01/31/life-after-death-the-story-of-turtle-rock-studios.aspx|title=Life After Death: The Story Of Turtle Rock Studios|first=Ben|last=Hanson|magazine=Game Informer|date=January 31, 2015|access-date=August 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924052138/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/01/31/life-after-death-the-story-of-turtle-rock-studios.aspx|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The main goal of the developers was to transfer ''Counter-Strike'' to the Source engine without altering the core gameplay mechanics.<ref name=CaVG2004 /> The engine’s new features allowed maps to become significantly more detailed, introducing physical objects such as barrels, bottles, and tires scattered across environments, all affected by the game’s physics system.<ref name=CaVG2004>{{cite news |title=COUNTER-STRIKE SOURCE: VALVE SQUEEZED FOR INFO |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/front_index.php |work=Computer and Video Games |date=August 13, 2004 |access-date=May 23, 2026|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040814011956/http://www.computerandvideogames.com:80/front_index.php|archive-date = August 14, 2004|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name=CSN2004>{{cite news |title=cs: source impressions |url=http://www.csnation.net/articles.php/article_192/3/ |work=CS-Nation |date=July 16, 2004 |access-date=May 22, 2026|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040820015021/http://www.csnation.net/articles.php/article_192/3/|archive-date = August 20, 2004|url-status = dead}}</ref> Grenade trajectories, explosions, and their impact effects were also made more realistic.<ref name=CaVG2004 /><ref name=CSN2004 /> Player bodies after death were likewise redesigned — instead of using predefined death animations, the game introduced ragdoll physics.<ref name="raisebar" /> Sound effects were also reworked to better match environmental acoustics, while support for 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound systems was added.<ref name="raisebar" /> In addition, the maximum number of players supported on a server was doubled to 64.<ref name="raisebar" />
The texture detail on the maps was significantly increased, with the resolution of many textures increasing fourfold compared to the original game, alongside improved 3D models.<ref name=CaVG2004 /><ref name=CSN2004 /> Source also made extensive use of advanced DirectX 9 rendering features such as bump mapping, normal mapping, and specularity, giving surfaces greater depth, lighting detail, and reflectivity.<ref name="raisebar" /><ref name=CaVG2004 /> The engine’s reflective surface technology was used extensively through cube mapping — for example, weapons equipped with optical scopes could display reflections of the surrounding environment on the lens when not zoomed in, although other player models were not rendered in those reflections. Source also introduced support for 3D skyboxes, allowing environments to appear as though they stretched for miles beyond the playable area, making maps feel less like enclosed arenas and more like believable real-world locations.<ref name=CaVG2004 /><ref name=CSN2004 />
Unlike previous ''Counter-Strike'' titles, ''Counter-Strike: Source'' launched without the riot shield and without the Assassination game mode, featuring only Hostage Rescue and Bomb Defusal scenarios.<ref name=CSN2004 /> At release, the game also contained only one character model per team — Phoenix Connexion for the Terrorists and SEAL Team 6 for the Counter-Terrorists — while the selection of maps was relatively small, with nine included in total.<ref name=CaVG2004 /><ref name=CSN2004 /> Many of the launch maps resemble direct ports of classic ''Counter-Strike'' maps with redesigned textures and relatively limited environmental detail. However, with the addition of new maps over the following months, the visual quality and level of detail improved significantly, eventually reaching a standard comparable to ''Half-Life 2''.
===Post-release===
From December 2004 to January 2006, through subsequent updates, Turtle Rock Studios remade six classic maps from previous ''Counter-Strike'' titles that were missing at launch, and introduced bot support, which later served as a precursor to the AI systems used in ''Left 4 Dead''.<ref name="updatehistory" /><ref name="GIHistory" /><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060205164119/http://www.turtlerockstudios.com/ Turtle Rock Studios homepage]. Archived from [http://www.turtlerockstudios.com/ the original] on February 5, 2006.</ref> During the same period, Valve also expanded the game’s content and visual quality by releasing three maps, including one remake from the original ''Counter-Strike'' and two entirely new maps, while also upgrading the default player models.<ref name="updatehistory" /> Between December 2005 and April 2006, the remaining classic player models were restored, and in August 2006 the radar was redesigned into a mini-map-style display that introduced enemy detection as part of its updated functionality.<ref name="updatehistory" /><ref>{{cite news |title=CS: Source Updated - Hello Radar |url=http://www.csnation.net/viewnews.php/8439/ |work=CS-Nation |date=August 24, 2006 |access-date=May 22, 2026|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060831225409/http://www.csnation.net/viewnews.php/8439/|archive-date = August 31, 2006|url-status = dead}}</ref> {{clear}} The game’s technical aspects were also continuously updated during this period. In December 2005, Valve introduced HDR Lighting technology, which was gradually implemented across several maps throughout 2006.<ref name="updatehistory" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Nuke Released! |url=http://www.csnation.net/viewnews.php/8119/ |work=CS-Nation |date=December 1, 2005 |access-date=May 22, 2026|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060419032552/http://www.csnation.net/viewnews.php/8119/|archive-date = April 19, 2006|url-status = dead}}</ref> Around the same time, ''Counter-Strike: Source'' transitioned to the Source 2006 engine branch introduced with ''Half-Life 2: Episode One''.<ref name="Steam News 3814">{{cite web | url = http://store.steampowered.com/news/3814/| title = Source SDK Update Released | access-date = June 23, 2010 | work = Steam | publisher = Valve|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100513233019/http://store.steampowered.com/news/3814/|archive-date = May 13, 2010|url-status = live|date = May 11, 2010}}</ref>
One of the most controversial updates in the game’s history arrived on November 1, 2006 with the Dynamic Weapons Pricing system, which altered weapon prices weekly based on player demand statistics from the previous week.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/814 |title=Counter-Strike: Source Update Released |access-date=July 1, 2008 |publisher=Valve |date=November 1, 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080926011350/http://store.steampowered.com/news/814/ |archive-date = September 26, 2008 |url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Maarten |title=Counter-Strike: Source Switching To Dynamic Weapon Pricing |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/43978/counter-strike-source-switching-to |work=Shacknews |date=September 22, 2006 |access-date=March 14, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140314044454/http://www.shacknews.com/article/43978/counter-strike-source-switching-to|archive-date = March 14, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://steampowered.com/stats/csmarket/algorithm.html |title=Pricing Algorithm |access-date=July 1, 2008 |publisher=Valve|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121125075639/http://www.steampowered.com/stats/csmarket/algorithm.html|archive-date = November 25, 2012|url-status = dead}}</ref> The update also removed the ability to purchase ammunition separately, automatically providing ammo whenever a weapon was bought. Although the system was intended to diversify gameplay and weapon usage, it faced immediate criticism from the community and was eventually removed.
On June 23, 2010, Valve, in collaboration with Hidden Path Entertainment, released a major update that ported the game to The Orange Box engine, replacing the older Source 2006 version, commonly known as v34.<ref name="Steam News 3976">{{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|date = June 23, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Steam News 3805">{{cite web | url = http://store.steampowered.com/news/3805/| title = Counter-Strike: Source Update Now in Beta | access-date = June 23, 2010 | work = Steam | publisher = Valve|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100514153955/http://store.steampowered.com/news/3805|archive-date = May 14, 2010|url-status = live|date = May 11, 2010}}</ref> This update introduced numerous gameplay and technical improvements, including 144 new achievements, MVP Awards, a domination and revenge system inspired by ''Team Fortress 2'', player statistics, a redesigned scoreboard, and the Mac OS X version.<ref name="Steam News 3976" /><ref name="steam css">{{cite web | url = https://store.steampowered.com/css| title = Counter-Strike: Source on Steam | access-date = June 23, 2010 | work = Steam | publisher = Valve|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100626103855/https://store.steampowered.com/css|archive-date = June 26, 2010|url-status = live}}</ref> However, the update was also criticized for several drawbacks, including a noticeable decrease in average frame rates, the restriction of custom server tick rates by enforcing a default value of 66, and incorrect player interactions with physics objects.
On September 15, 2011, Valve released another significant gameplay update focused on weapon accuracy, spread patterns, and balancing changes.<ref name="Steam News 6279">{{cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source Update Released |url=https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/6279 |website=Steam |publisher=Valve |access-date=May 22, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923163448/https://store.steampowered.com/news/6279 |archive-date=September 23, 2011 |url-status=live|date = September 15, 2011}}</ref> Combined with the earlier Orange Box transition, these changes divided the ''Counter-Strike: Source'' community, leading many players and servers to remain on older versions such as v34/Source 2006, while others adopted the newer Orange Box and later Source Multiplayer branches.<ref name="css versions">{{cite web |title=CS:Source Is Bizarrely Divided | website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asJ6Qel0SCc |access-date=22 May 2026 |date=14 April 2025}}</ref> This divide also contributed to the popularity of modified legacy clients such as ClientMod, which emulated older builds of the game.
The game continued receiving engine upgrades over the following years. On October 19, 2011, CS:S transitioned to the Source Multiplayer branch.<ref name="Steam News 6562">{{cite web |title=Source SDK Update Released |url=https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/6562 |website=Steam |publisher=Valve |access-date=May 22, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103105946/http://store.steampowered.com/news/6562/ |archive-date=January 3, 2012 |url-status=live|date = October 19, 2011}}</ref> In February 2013, Valve released an official Linux version of the game,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.vg247.com/2013/02/11/half-life-counter-strike-now-available-on-linux/|title = Half-Life, Counter-Strike now available on Linux|date = February 11, 2013|access-date = March 14, 2014|website = VG247|first = Brenna|last = Hillier|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130525140422/http://www.vg247.com/2013/02/11/half-life-counter-strike-now-available-on-linux/|url-status = live|archive-date = May 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://news.softpedia.com/news/Counter-Strike-Source-Is-Now-Available-on-Steam-for-Linux-327362.shtml|title = Counter-Strike: Source Is Now Available on Steam for Linux|date = February 6, 2013|access-date = March 14, 2014|website = Softpedia|last = Stahie|first = Silviu|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140314235805/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Counter-Strike-Source-Is-Now-Available-on-Steam-for-Linux-327362.shtml|archive-date = March 14, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Steam News 9943">{{cite web |title=Steam for Linux Now Available |url=https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/9943 |website=Steam |publisher=Valve |access-date=March 9, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217020925/https://store.steampowered.com/news/9943 |archive-date=February 17, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> and on April 16, 2013, Counter-Strike: Source was upgraded again to the Source 2013 Multiplayer engine during Valve’s migration to the SteamPipe content delivery system.<ref name="Steampipe">{{cite web |title=Counter-strike:Source upgraded to SteamPipe |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/240/discussions/0/828935673208427050/ |website=Steam |publisher=Fletcher Dunn |access-date=May 22, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420002502/https://steamcommunity.com/app/240/discussions/0/828935673208427050/ |archive-date=April 20, 2015 |url-status=live|date = April 16, 2013}}</ref>
After years of minimal changes, Valve released the first major Counter-Strike: Source update in nearly 12 years on February 18, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-18 |title=Counter-Strike: Source and Day of Defeat: Source get major updates with 64bit support |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/02/counter-strike-source-and-day-of-defeat-source-get-major-updates-with-64bit-support/ |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=GamingOnLinux |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-18 |title=Counter-Strike: Source - Counter-Strike: Source Update Released - Steam News |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/240/view/689716592460694165 |access-date=2025-12-25 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref> This update upgraded the game from 32-bit to 64-bit binaries for modern x64 systems and migrated the game to the updated version of the Source 2013 Multiplayer branch derived from ''Team Fortress 2'', incorporating features from the ''Half-Life 2'' 20th Anniversary Update, VScript support, technical improvements, quality-of-life changes, graphical enhancements, and numerous bug fixes.
== Modifications == === ''Counter-Strike: Malvinas'' === {{undue inline|date=May 2024}}{{Main|Counter-Strike: Malvinas}} ''Counter-Strike: Malvinas'' is a custom ''Counter-Strike: Source'' map, developed and distributed by Argentine web hosting company Dattatec. The map was released worldwide on 4 March 2013. The game is set in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, and revolves around a group of Argentine special forces (portrayed as the counter-terrorist team) capturing the archipelago from British Royal Marines, who are portrayed as terrorists. The map is inspired by the 1982 Falklands War, in which an estimated 650 Argentine and 255 British servicemen died.<ref name="guard">{{cite journal|last1=Ledge|first1=James|title=Falklands Counter Strike: British hackers attack Argentinian developer's website|journal=The Independent|date=29 March 2013|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming/falklands-counter-strike-british-hackers-attack-argentinian-developers-website-8554627.html|access-date=16 March 2016|archive-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406052503/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming/falklands-counter-strike-british-hackers-attack-argentinian-developers-website-8554627.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The mod prompted strong controversy in the United Kingdom; Dattatec's website was targeted by British hackers on 27 March 2013.<ref name=guard/>{{Relevance inline|date=May 2024}}
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = 88/100<ref name="Metacritic"/> | 1UP = A<ref name="1UP"/> }} ''Counter-Strike: Source'' was met with positive reviews from professional critics.<ref name="1UP">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/counter-strike-source|title=Counter-Strike: Source Review|publisher=1UP.com|date=November 19, 2004|access-date=March 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709101053/http://www.1up.com/reviews/counter-strike-source|archive-date=July 9, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Metacritic, a review aggregator website, awarded ''Source'' a rating of 88 out of a possible 100 based on 9 critic's reviews.<ref name="Metacritic">{{Cite web|url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/counter-strike-source/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title = Counter-Strike: Source for PC Reviews|access-date = March 14, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130202065639/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/counter-strike-source|website = Metacritic|archive-date = February 2, 2013|url-status = live}}</ref> Jeff Haynes of ''IGN'' said the game was "much more detailed, featuring many more polygons per model, bump mapping and other graphical enhancements" compared to the original.<ref name="ign._Coun">{{Cite web| title = Counter-Strike: Source| author = Haynes, Jeff| work = IGN| date = 5 August 2004| access-date = 13 January 2020| url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/05/counter-strike-source| archive-date = January 13, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200113171741/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/05/counter-strike-source| url-status = live}}</ref>
==Sequel== {{See also|Counter-Strike: Global Offensive}} On August 12, 2011, Valve announced the production of a successor to ''Counter-Strike: Source'', entitled ''Counter-Strike: Global Offensive''.<ref name="CSGOannouncement">{{cite web|url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/6059/|title=VALVE ANNOUNCES COUNTER-STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE (CS: GO)|work=Steam|publisher=Valve|date=August 12, 2011|access-date=March 14, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222134753/http://store.steampowered.com/news/6059/|archive-date = February 22, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref> ''Global Offensive''{{'}}s development began in March 2010 when Hidden Path Entertainment attempted to port ''Counter-Strike: Source'' onto video game consoles prior to the end of its lifespan.<ref name="savedcsgo">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/how-400-virtual-knives-saved-counter-strike/|title=How $400 virtual knives saved Counter-Strike|first=Evan|last=Lahti|date=September 17, 2015|website=PC Gamer|publisher=Future plc|url-status=live|archive-date=January 11, 2017|access-date=January 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111083031/http://www.pcgamer.com/how-400-virtual-knives-saved-counter-strike/}}</ref><ref name="2011paxgs">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pax-2011-counter-strike-global-offensive-hands-on-preview-new-gear/1100-6331709/|title=PAX 2011: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Hands-On Preview – New Gear|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=August 29, 2011|first=Maxwell|last=McGee|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113063419/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pax-2011-counter-strike-global-offensive-hands-on-preview-new-gear/1100-6331709/|url-status=live}}</ref> During its development, Valve saw the opportunity to turn the port into a full game and expand on the predecessor's gameplay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/08/12/counter-strike-global-offensive/|title=Revealed: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive|author=Alec Meer|date=August 12, 2011|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|access-date=November 8, 2011|url-status=live|archive-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622003220/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/08/12/counter-strike-global-offensive/}}</ref> In 2023, ''Global Offensive'' was assimilated into Counter-Strike 2, which ported the game's content into the Source 2 engine.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-22 |title=Counter-Strike 2 is official, coming summer 2023 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/counter-strike-2-is-official-coming-summer-2023 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref>
==Competitive play== {{main|Counter-Strike in esports}}
''Counter-Strike: Source'' has been played in tournaments since shortly after its release. The game received some criticism by the competitive community, who believed the game's skill ceiling was significantly lower than that of CS 1.6. This caused a divide in the competitive community as to which game to play competitively.<ref name="Kane2008">{{cite book|author=Michael Kane|title=Game Boys: Triumph, Heartbreak, and the Quest for Cash in the Battleground of Competitive Videogaming|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9bulcI9PHJsC|date=19 June 2008|publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4406-3188-7}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Counter-Strike series}} {{Valve}} {{Professional Counter-Strike competition}}{{Portal bar|Video Games}}
Category:2004 video games Category:Asymmetrical multiplayer video games Category:Counter-Strike Category:Esports games Category:Linux games Category:MacOS games Category:Multiplayer online games Category:Source (game engine) games Category:Tactical shooters Category:Valve Corporation games Category:Video game remakes Category:Video games about police officers Category:Video games about the Special Air Service Category:Video games about the United States Navy SEALs Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Windows games