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Counter-Strike: Source (known as CSS), is a modern military multiplayer first-person shooter developed and published by Valve for the PC (via both Steam and retail) on November 1, 2004. The third official iteration of Counter-Strike (after Counter-Strike: Condition Zero), Counter-Strike: Source remakes the original in the then-new Source engine, updating the sounds and graphics while adding a new physics engine (mainly for use with interactive objects, such as barrels). The game also includes minor alterations to the gameplay, such as the removal of ammo purchasing, the removal of riot shields, and the increased effectiveness of flashbangs. After years of both minor and major updates (including an experimental "Dynamic Weapons Pricing" system in October 11, 2006, the Mac release on June 23, 2010, and a significant update in collaboration with Hidden Path throughout 2010), the game was later superseded by Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
The beta version of the game was originally released to members of the Valve Cyber Café program on August 11, 2004, then released to owners of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero on August 18, 2004. A new beta version of the game (developed in collaboration with Hidden Path) was released on May 7, 2010 (for those who owned the actual game), including new features and functionality (including 144 achievements, a new domination/revenge system similar to Team Fortress 2, player statistics, and a upgraded Source engine used in Team Fortress 2, Portal, and Half-Life 2: Episode Two). After tweaking the beta, the features were rolled in to the game on June 23, 2010. Although Valve has closed the beta while rolling in the new features, the beta was later re-opened to test minor updates.
Game Types
Because CSS is built on the modification friendly Source Engine there are a multitude of ways to play the game. Some of the types are available right out of the box, others are created by custom maps, plugins, addons or a combination of these. Every map indicates what game mode it was meant to be played as by its prefix. For example, de_dust2, using the "de_" prefix was made for demolition (also known as defusal) gameplay.
| Game Mode | Custom | Maps | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostage Rescue (CS_) | No | Both | Hostage rescue maps set the counter terrorists against a hostage situation. There are usually four hostages which are housed near the terrorist spawn point, and the terrorists must guard them until the round's time runs out. Counter terrorists must rescue the hostages by activating them and make their way back to a spot near the counter terrorist spawn, which will win them the round. Even if some of the hostages are killed, if all remaining ones are saved, the counter terrorists still win. There is also the option of simply killing the opposing side to win the round, and that is the most employed tactic of most teams in the game. These maps are allegedly terrorist favored, as they can just camp near their spawn, and either let the round time run out or pick of incoming counter terrorists as they make their way into the premise |
| Demolition (DE_) | No | Both | Demolition is the standard in competitive play. The counter-terrorists win by eliminating all terrorists when the bomb is not planted, defusing the bomb when it is planted or preventing the terrorists from planting the bomb within the time limit. The terrorists win by eliminating all counter-terrorists or planting the bomb and having it explode. Official Counter-strike leagues and competitions mainly play de_ maps for their balance ( dust2 is considered one of the most balanced maps of any online game) as it doesn't really give any side the chance to camp properly. |
| Assassination (AS_) | Yes | Custom | In assassination the counter terrorists must escort the, also counter terrorist, VIP to a helicopter or eliminate all terrorists to win. The terrorists must eliminate the VIP to win or prevent the VIP from reaching the helicopter within the time limit. This gameplay mode is not officially supported in CSS, but it was an official mode in 1.6 |
| Aim (Aim_) | Yes | Custom | Aim maps are, mostly symmetrical, team deathmatch arena's that are made to aid players in testing and improving their aiming skill while using the objects in the map as cover. |
| Fight Yard (FY_) | Yes | Custom | Fight Yards are team deathmatch arena's similar to Aim maps but more oriented towards fun use of the engine or map editor. |
| Glass/Break | Yes | Custom | These maps focus on the ability to demolish the environment, mostly floors, around the player and the interaction created with it. |
| Grenade War (HE_) | Yes | Custom | These maps focus on a grenade throwing team deathmatch. |
| Knife Arena (KA_) | Yes | Custom | These maps focus on a team deathmatch with only the knife as a weapon. |
| Surf(SURF_) | Yes | Custom | Surf maps let the player slide along the side of triangular objects acquiring more and more forward speed while traveling along the set paths of the map. To surf, one jumps on the object they wish to surf on (usually an equilateral or isosceles triangle), and holds the key opposite to the side they're surfing on i.e. 'A' if they're on the right side of the triangle, 'D' if they're on the left side. Do not press 'W' or 'S' as they will make you either stop completely, or slowly slide down the polygon. Use the mouse to judge where you want to go, and stay as low as you possibly can on the triangle for maximum speed. |
| Slide(SLIDE_) | Yes | Custom | This game type is like surf only on a 2D plane. Players are propelled forward at high speed while dodging obstacles.Like surf, there is usually a powerful weapon at the end as a reward for finishing the map. |
| Death Run(DEATHRUN_) | Yes | Custom | In Death Run, Counter Terrorists must navigate a series of obstacles while the terrorist are constantly setting off traps from the safety of a command center in the middle of the map. There usually has to be a much greater number of CTs than terrorists on the map for balance (there are usually one or two terrorists a map) and, like slide and surf, there is usually a weapon at the end of the map which the CTs can use to kill the terrorists. |
| Zombie Mod(ZM_) | Yes | Custom | Zombie Mod redefines the two teams in CSS to zombies and living. The zombies have a lot of health points, run faster, can turn the living into a zombie by stabbing them with their only weapon, the knife. The living sometimes get unlimited ammunition but this varies per server. At the start of the round everyone is on the living side. After a short period of time one player is automatically turned into a zombie and the madness will begin. |
| GunGame(GG_) | Yes | Both | Gun Game is a popular mod which focuses, as the name suggests, entirely around the player's weapons. Rather than allowing players to purchase the firearm of their choice, each player starts with a weak handgun. After every one or two kills, the player "levels up" and his weapon is replaced by the next in order of progression. Players thus race through the list of guns available, going from handguns to shotguns to sub-machine guns to rifles until they finally end with a single grenade. The first person to score a grenade kill wins the game. Gun Game servers typically organize players into two teams, though this is not necessary. Some retain CSS' signature round-type system, while others function according to deathmatch (instant respawn) rules. |
Maps
Valve have released a bunch of maps for Counter Strike Source that for the main part are remakes of old maps from the past games in the series. They have also released a few new maps that are made for the source version.
Valve released maps
- CS_Assault
- DE_Aztec
- DE_Cbble
- DE_Chateau
- CS_Compound
- DE_Dust
- DE_Dust2
- CS_Havana
- CS_Italy
- CS_Militia
- DE_Nuke
- CS_Office
- DE_Piranesi
- DE_Port
- DE_Prodigy
- DE_Tides
- DE_Train
Custom maps
Since the map editor for source engine games(Hammer tools) is so easy to learn the amount of community made maps are enormous. The game also has an included downloader so if the server is running a thirdparty map you will have it automatically downloaded to your steamapps folder.
Weapons and Other equipment
Dynamic Weapons Pricing
In 2006, Valve issued a patch that introduced the dynamic weapons pricing system. Under this new system, weapons and items that have been frequently purchased in the last week go up in price, while those that were underused become cheaper. This change was made in reaction to the fact that Counter-Strike players are notorious in their overuse of certain weapons, the M4, AK-47 and Desert Eagle in particular. While the change was criticized by many players, the update, combined with significant buffs to some of the more rarely used weapons, did make headway into diversifying public server play however almost all of the popular public servers have disabled the feature.
Weapons
Pistols
| Name | Ingame Price | Country | Clip Capacity | Weight(Loaded) | Projectile Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9x19mm | 400$ | Austria | 20 Rounds | 0,9 KG | 8g | 1132 ft/sec | 475 Joule |
| 228 Compact | 600$ | Germany | 13 Rounds | 1,03 KG | 8,1g | 1400 ft/sec | 600 Joule |
| Night Hawk .50c | 650$ | Israel | 7 Rounds | 1,8 KG | 19,4g | 1380 ft/sec | 1650 Joule |
| 5.40 Dual Elites | 800$ | Italy | 15 Rounds | 1,15 KG | 8g | 1280 ft/sec | 606 Joule |
| ES Five Seven | 750$ | Belgium | 20 Rounds | 0,618 KG | 2g | 2345 ft/sec | 465 J |
Shotguns:
| Name | Ingame Price | Country | Clip Capacity | Weight(Loaded) | Projectile Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leone 12 Gauge Super (M3) | 1700$ | Italy | 8 Rounds | 3,5 KG | 3,8g | 1250 ft/sec | 2429 Joule |
| Leone YG1265 Auto | 3000$ | Italy | 7 Rounds | 4 KG | 3,8g | 1250 ft/sec | 2429 Joule |
Sub-machine Guns:
| Name | Ingame Price | Country | Clip Capacity | Weight(Loaded) | Projectile Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingram Mac 10 | 1400 | USA | 30 Rounds | 3.82 KG | 15.2g | 919 ft/sec | 584 Joule |
| TMP | 1250 | Austria | 30 Rounds | 1.3 KG | 8g | 1280 ft/sec | 606 Joule |
| MP5 | 1500 | Germany | 30 Rounds | 3,42 KG | 8g | 1132 ft/sec | 637 Joule |
| KM UMP45 | 1700 | Germany | 25 Rounds | 2.27 KG | 15.2g | 1005 ft/sec | 625 Joule |
| P90 | 2350 | Belgium | 50 Rounds | 3 KG | 2g | 2345 ft/sec | 465 Joule |
Rifles:
| Name | Ingame Price | Country | Clip Capacity | Weight(Loaded) | Projectile Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarion FAMAS | 2250$ | France | 25 Rounds | 3.4 KG | 4g | 2212 ft/sec | 1712 Joule |
| IDF Defender (Galil) | 2000$ | Israel | 35 Rounds | 4.35 KG | 4g | 2013 ft/sec | 1712 Joule |
| Maverick M4A1 Carbine | 3100$ | USA | 30 Rounds | 3.22 KG | 4g | 2900 ft/sec | 1570 Joule |
| CV-47 | 2500$ | Russia | 30 Rounds | 4.79 KG | 7.9g | 2329 ft/sec | 1922 Joule |
| Bullpup (Styer Aug) | 3500$ | Austria | 30 Rounds | 4.09 KG | 4g | 2900 ft/sec | 1570 Joule |
| Schmidt Scout | 2750$ | Austria | 10 Rounds | 3.3 KG | 8g | 2800 ft/sec | 2200 Joule |
| Krieg 552 | 3500$ | Switzerland | 30 Rounds | 3.1 KG | 4g | 2900 ft/sec | 1570 Joule |
| Krieg 550 Commando | 4200$ | Switzerland | 30 Rounds | 7.02 KG | 4g | 3100 ft/sec | 1650 Joule |
| Magnum Sniper Rifle | 4750$ | U.K | 10 Rounds | 6 KG | 16.2g | 3000 ft/sec | 7000 Joule |
| D3/AU-1 | 5000$ | Germany | 20 Rounds | 4.41 KG | 8g | 2800 ft/sec | 2200 Joule |
Machine Gun:
| Name | Ingame Price | Country | Clip Capacity | Weight(Loaded) | Projectile Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M249 (Para) | 5750$ | Belgium | 100 Rounds | 6 KG | 4g | 3000 ft/sec | 1600 Joule |
The game also contains flash bang grenades, frag grenades, smoke grenades, Kevlar armor, night vision goggles, a knife and defusal kits.
System Requirements
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
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