From Mod to Mammoth: The Evolution of Counter-Strike
By Jim W. Gettys
The seminal shooter Counter-Strike™ is coming to the Xbox, but do you know the evolution of this lauded title – from its roots as a PC mod all the way to its debut on the world’s most powerful console? Counter-Strike was not the big-budget baby of some renowned game house, but the product of a small group of enthusiasts brought together by the Internet and a shared passion for immersive military action. Using the existing engine from Half-Life, Minh “Gooseman” Le adapted the single-player game to a squad-based endeavor, altering the code and painstakingly crafting each weapon and character model himself. The mod was ultimately bought by Valve Software, the developer ofHalf-Life, and turned into a commercial product.
Now, the game comes to the Xbox, and this version is every bit as good as the original … and then some. Sporting polished graphics and Xbox Live support, this Xbox-exclusive title will no doubt make a big splash with PC veterans and console fans alike. Strap yourself in for a wild ride.
Connectivity PCs have had the luxury of networking and online play for years, but it’s only been in the past two years that console gamers have had any real online features. Online games bring not only head-to-head play, but also real communication. No longer will you die a senseless death because someone pecked out bursts of “1337-5p3@k” on the keyboard and diverted your attention from the controls. With Xbox Live, insults can be effortlessly doled out through the glorious Communicator headset and even masked to hide your true identity. Those in the team spirit can use the headset to issue tactical squad communication and “heads up” warnings.
Even Playing Field Remember what it felt like to get your behind kicked by a foul-mouthed 12 –year old? Well, hang your head in shame no longer because, through the magic of a cutting-edge player ranking system, you’ll be able to joinCounter-Strike games with similarly skilled players. Need practice? Sharpen your aim and work on your fragging skills offline in play against variably skilled bots. You can still receive invites from your friends to join them online. Xbox LiveAware allows you to receive invites when the games are on. So, no more lonely nights spent waiting in front of the Rations Bank for your vagrant friends to arrive – they’ll send you a card that says when to show up.
Better Graphics Tired of hearing your geek friend brag about his killer system? Don’t have the cash to buy the latest video card to run your games? Have you sold off all your sister’s dolls for cash? Cry no more because, with Counter-Strike for Xbox, you get the best graphics available – and it won’t cost you one extra dime to get it! Changes in lighting and environment are automatically adjusted through the game’s improved 3-D engine (a feature not available on the PC version). Additionally, if you hang around grenades too long, you’ll not only lose your vision, but also your hearing. Don’t cry—you’ll get over it, provided that jerk with the machine gun doesn’t pop you full of holes first.
Immersive Sound Xbox owners with home theatre setups can be spoiled by Dolby 5.1 audio support and 480p HDTV support. Earth-shattering explosions and fast-paced imagery will turn your living room into a combat zone only slightly less realistic than the real thing. And, who really wants to eat mess hall food and worry about West Nile virus, anyway? When dinnertime rolls around or the local girl scouts chapter comes knocking on your door, you can just play right through and never notice. After all, you’ve got hostages to save.
The Total Package With so many new features, it’s hard not to smile aboutCounter-Strike. Due out for the holidays this year, it will no doubt be the online multiplayer experience. So, when your buddy starts bragging about his “m@d |*h@7 5k1llz,” you’ll be able to show him who’s boss online. Just remember to send him a nice welcome note first.
