Joystiq

Nexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories

Jordan Mallory — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:15:00 EST

South Korean developer Nexon this week announced Counter-Strike Online 2, a sequel to its successful made-for-Asian-gaming-cafes port of the original Counter-Strike. Developed under license from Valve, Counter-Strike Online 2 will launch in China, South Korea, Japan and "other areas in Southeast Asia" on a future date.

When it does launch, it'll run on an "enhanced" version of the Source Engine and feature "enhanced graphics, more realistic gameplay and powerful impact sensations," the latter of which troubles us slightly considering the game is primarily about bullets impacting squishy human bodies. We're not in a huge rush to experience that firsthand.

Continue reading Nexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories

Nexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Steam Sale of 2011 predicts zombie apocalypse, crime in 2012

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST

The Steam Holiday Sale doesn't stop for anyone or anything -- not the end of a year, an era or the world -- and today, New Year's Eve 2011, is no different. The 13th day of the Steam Holiday Sale offers 75 percent off L.A. Noire, Bit.Trip Runner, the Hitman franchise, Magicka, both BioShocks, Hoard, GRID and the Counter-Strike series, and more titles at various other deduction rates.

Check out all the deals before the year ~~and our life as we know it~~ ends.

Final Steam Sale of 2011 predicts zombie apocalypse, crime in 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Counter-Strike: Global Offensive coming to XBLA, PSN and Steam early 2012 [update]

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:56:00 EST

Update: Looks like we didn't have to wait too long at all for confirmation of the project: Valve and Seattle-based developer Hidden Path Entertainment just distributed a press release announcing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, an updated and expanded version of the seminal team-based shooter.

Slated for an early 2012 release on XBLA, PSN and Steam, the downloadable title will add "new maps, characters, and weapons," renovated versions of classic maps (what's up, de_dust) and a plethora of new modes, matchmaking options, leaderboards and other modern shooter mainstays. Best of all, it'll be playable later this month at PAX Prime. Check out the full press release after the jump!

Original post: A heaping pile of evidence is growing in support of a future installment in the thoroughly-played Counter-Strike universe -- this one subtitled Global Offensive. The most promising tidbit is the Facebook page of anti-cheat gaming community ESEA, which revealed the name of the game, and promised more info later this morning. The post was preceded by an image of ESEA's Craig Levine at the offices of Valve. (You can tell it's legit, because hey, there's a giant valve.)

Valve designer Jess Cliffe corroborated the title on the Steam forums, correcting an earlier poster who labeled the game "Global Operation." Also, Electronic Sports League manager Bastian Vieser claimed on Twitter that he "Just spend [sic] all day playing the new Counterstrike Global Offensive" at Valve's HQ. It certainly seems like a real thing -- now there's just the small matter of whether it's a port, expansion or an entirely new game altogether. We've got our freakishly elongated fingers crossed for the latter.

Continue reading Counter-Strike: Global Offensive coming to XBLA, PSN and Steam early 2012 [update]

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive coming to XBLA, PSN and Steam early 2012 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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German artist wants you to roll around in de_dust

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 23:30:00 EST

When the Germans do something, they do it right -- or, at least big. German artist Aram Bartholl has created a slew of projects inspired by gaming and the Internet, but his largest is a 1:1 scale model of the classic Counter Strike map, Dust, that Bartholl wants installed as a large-scale public sculpture.

Bartholl plans to make the entire map out of concrete, with parts of it preserved in uncolored and untexturized abstract glory to "represent a petrified moment of cultural game space heritage." Bartholl is currently petitioning for $5500 in government funds to create the first stage of Dust, a 1:100 scale model of the map, and is scheduled to begin public promotion of the full project this fall. The video shows Bartholl's mini-mini-scale model of the map, and while that one may not be big, it is certainly done right.

German artist wants you to roll around in de_dust originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valve confirms Mac support for Steam and Source Engine

David Hinkle — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:22:00 EST

In today's completely shocking and unexpected bit of news, Valve has announced Mac support for its Steam digital distribution platform and Source -- the engine that powers Half-Life 2, amongst others. In fact, Portal 2 will be Valve's first simultaneous release across PC and Mac. "Steamworks for the Mac supports all of the Steamworks APIs, and we have added a new feature, called Steam Play, which allows customers who purchase the product for the Mac or Windows to play on the other platform free of charge," said Valve's Jason Holtman. "For example, Steam Play, in combination with the Steam Cloud, allows a gamer playing on their work PC to go home and pick up playing the same game at the same point on their home Mac. We expect most developers and publishers to take advantage of Steam Play." If that doesn't get you all kinds of giddy, then you may just be dead inside.

Steam and Valve's lineup of games (including "including Left 4 Dead 2, Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike, Portal, and the Half-Life series") will be available to Mac users this April, but from here on out, simultaneous cross-platform releases should be the norm. "Checking in code produces a PC build and Mac build at the same time, automatically, so the two platforms are perfectly in lock-step," said Josh Weier, project lead on Portal 2. "We're always playing a native version on the Mac right alongside the PC. This makes it very easy for us and for anyone using Source to do game development for the Mac."

So, who's got the champagne and noise makers?

Gallery: Valve Mac faux ads

Valve confirms Mac support for Steam and Source Engine originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox Live service for Xbox 1 games to be discontinued on Apr. 15

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST

[Image: Bungie]

Microsoft is pulling the plug on the Xbox Live services that still cater to the original Xbox. As of April 15th, all Xbox 1 games -- including those playable on Xbox 360 or via the Xbox Originals service -- will be severed from the online realm. "I want to start by saying this isn't a decision we made lightly," Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten said at the start of a letter to Xbox Live members, "but after careful consideration, it is clear that this will provide the greatest benefit to the Xbox Live community."

Whitten added that in continuing to "evolve the service," Microsoft requires changes that are "incompatible" with the previous console's games. "We will contact the Xbox LIVE members directly impacted by this change and if this includes you, I encourage you to check your LIVE messages and associated e-mail account over the coming weeks for more details and opportunities."

According to Major Nelson's most recent list of top Xbox 1 Live titles, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and Counter-Strike players will be hardest hit. Well, sure, Halo 2 is still the most widely played game, but at least those guys will have some consolation when they leave the house and discover that ~~two~~ three more Halo games have come out since 2004.

By the way, if you have anything terribly important to say to your clan mates, we suggest you say it now.

Continue reading Xbox Live service for Xbox 1 games to be discontinued on Apr. 15

Xbox Live service for Xbox 1 games to be discontinued on Apr. 15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Army of Two: The 40th Day multiplayer inspired by Counter-Strike, Killzone 2

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST

While Army of Two's focus has always been cooperative gameplay, EA Montreal's Eric Chartrand is responsible for designing the competitive multiplayer aspects of The 40th Day. In an interview with with That VideoGame Blog, Chartrand notes that one of the big changes for the AoT sequel is to adapt the multiplayer aspect, and make it play differently from the campaign mode. Whereas the story can feature designed bottlenecks (such as doors that require both players to open), multiplayer cannot, simply because humans play differently than AI. "The toolset we use in single-player has to be different from the one we use in multiplayer," Chartrand explains.

Interestingly, Chartrand notes two games as his main inspiration for The 40th Day's multiplayer offerings: the decade old Counter-Strike and the recently-released Killzone 2. "What works in Counter-Strike is that you don't get progression," a stark contrast to the level-up gimmick common in most online shooters. "So why it works is because the gameplay in it. The second-to-second, the movement of the character, the shooting, the intensity of the combat is still fresh, even ten years after. So that's why we wanted to craft an experience that is as close to this as possible."

Chartrand has even more praise for Guerrilla's FPS. "Killzone 2 has great maps, probably the best maps out there," he admits. However, what inspired Chartrand the most appear to be the game's community features, particularly its stats-laden website. "This link between stats, profile, friends, leaderboard ... all the community aspects, I think the Killzone guys did a very good job and we strive to imitate them."

Army of Two: The 40th Day multiplayer inspired by Counter-Strike, Killzone 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Realtime Worlds hopes APB will have up to 10-year lifespan

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST

We've all been curious about how long the Cops & Robbers gameplay presented in Realtime Worlds' APB would be capable of capturing our fleeting, razor-thin attention span. Realtime creative director Dave Jones just ... hey, have you guys seen Brüno yet? It looks pretty funny, but we -- oh, sorry. Dave Jones recently spoke with VideoGamer.com and explained that a five to ten year lifespan is "ultimately the goal" for APB.

Jones said the action-heavy MMO would endure for the same reasons Valve's long-lasting FPS Counter-Strike has. He claims it'll include elements that made the shooter so successful, such as frantic, addictive game play, as well as "leagues and stats and achievements." See, here we thought people loved Counter-Strike because it let you spray paint private parts onto battlefield walls. Our mistake.

Realtime Worlds hopes APB will have up to 10-year lifespan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brazil ban on Counter-Strike, EverQuest goes into effect

Ross Miller — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC, First Person Shooters, Online, RPGs, MMO, Politics

A ban on the sale of Counter-Strike and EverQuest in Brazil has gone into effect. According to AFP, the ban was ordered by federal court in October 2007 but is just now being imposed. Said judge Carlos Alberto Simoes, the titles encouraged "the subversion of public order, were an attack against the democratic state and the law and against public security." (Just so you're clear: EverQuest is an attack on democracy, but censorship isn't.)

Of course, the ban is just on the sale of the two games. Each title is about nine years old, with their latest respective sequels (EverQuest 2 and CS: Source) released in 2004 - not exactly the most timely censorship. By that timeframe, World of Warcraft has about five years left before Brazil drops the banhammer. Let's hope Blizzard can get out Wrath of the Lich King before 2014.

[Via CVG; thanks, Vitor]

Brazil ban on Counter-Strike, EverQuest goes into effect originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valve not charging for downloadable content

John Bardinelli — Fri, 25 May 2007 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: PC, First Person Shooters, Online, Business

Despite the rise of micro-transactions and pay-per-download content in the PC and console worlds, Valve recently announce it has no intention of charging for downloadables in games such as Counter-Strike and Team Fortress 2. Designer Robin Walker explains their logic that gives Valve a big gold star in our book: "You buy the product, you get the content ... We make more money because more people buy it, not because we try and nickel-and-dime the same customers."

Micro-transactions were innocent at first, but when we had to pay for horse armor in Oblivion and tutorials in Madden, the line had to be drawn. Kudos to Valve for a step in the "don't make the customers angry" (i.e. "right") direction.

Valve not charging for downloadable content originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CGS boasts $5 mil payroll, Playboy Mansion pro-gamer draft

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:27:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, Driving, Fighting, First Person Shooters, Sports, Competitive Gaming, Business

Hosting its inaugural player draft far from the storied sanctum of The Garden, with a paltry $5 million league-wide payroll, (an amount routinely squandered on a single signing bonus for a young athlete in another professional league,) the Championship Gaming Series continues to take baby steps toward becoming a marquee "sports entertainment" business. Still, come June 12, 60 prospects will split the riches, as they're contracted to join one of six city-based squads that will compete in a small variety of games leading up to the CGS Grand Slam and World Championships this October. Not a bad gig, eh?

But what of this Playboy Mansion draft locale? If CGS is to be taken seriously, it's gotta avoid these WWEsque publicity stunts ... right? Maybe not. A lil' scantly-clad drama might be just the lure needed to hook viewers who might not otherwise tune into a glorified LAN party.

CGS boasts $5 mil payroll, Playboy Mansion pro-gamer draft originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Never mind the art, here's a Shadowrun preview

Jared Rea — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters, Online

As the first game under the Windows Live brand to bring both PC and Xbox 360 gamers together, Shadowrun isn't the most casual-friendly title imaginable. So unexpectedly complex that after the initial training exercises and multiplayer matches, we were overwhelmed to say the least. A few hours and a dozen or so matches later, it hadn't fully connected, but the pieces were starting to fall into place.

Like we said in our previous coverage of the game, Shadowrun is about finding your niche and sticking to it. In other shooters, your niche can be as simple as controlling the rocket launcher or defending the flag. In Shadowrun, it's defined by the powers you equip, how you utilize them and what role you take in your group. Even if you consider yourself a sponge for tactical knowledge, a learning curve this high won't be conquered in your first hour of play. And for a high profile, predominantly multiplayer shooter, that could spell trouble for Microsoft and FASA Studios.

Gallery: Shadowrun

Continue reading Never mind the art, here's a Shadowrun preview

Never mind the art, here's a Shadowrun preview originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valve's Counter-Strike tweaks to level pistol prices [update 1]

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 21:15:00 EST

Filed under: PC, First Person Shooters, Online, Competitive Gaming, Business

Counter Strike: Source's dynamic pricing system has raised the Desert Eagle's cost to a point that Valve has admitted to be "somewhat out of control." As the only viable pistol option, the "Deagle" has become one of CS:S's most expensive items, since the pricing system raises and lowers costs according to popularity. Valve hopes that by tweaking the effectiveness of the Five Seven, P228, and Dual Elites pistols, players will cash in for these decidedly cheaper options, in turn driving the Deagle's price back down.

Update: the new modifications have already been introduced.

Valve's Counter-Strike tweaks to level pistol prices [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Dec 2006 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pizza Hut to sponsor cyberathletes

Alan Rose — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, Online, Competitive Gaming, Business

Pizza Hut recently announced they will become the first fast food franchise to sponsor the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) and its affiliated tournaments. When engaged in league play, CPL professional and amateur members will be directed to special deals at Pizza Hut's web site, although there's no mention if this agreement also includes the Hut's Wing Street brand of chicken wings.

According to Pizza Hut marketing exec Bill Ogle, "ordering a Pizza Hut pizza and having it delivered, without having to stop a game in progress, is a huge plus for this audience." While the marketing campaign makes more sense than McDonald's "feeding the world's Olympic athletes", you might want to keep a roll of paper towels handy, lest you defile that brand new 360 controller or Zboard with sauce and grease.

Check out the CPL's Summer Championships schedule which includes tournaments for Quake 4, Halo 2, GRAW, and Project Gotham 3. And don't forget the breadsticks.

Pizza Hut to sponsor cyberathletes originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Street Fighter comes indoors and picks up some chalk

Conrad Quilty-Harper — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 16:25:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Action

Need I say more? A couple of college kids decided to apply their Street Fighter obsessed brains to an available blackboard. It's the kind of thing you look at and say to yourself "why didn't I think of that?" I'm sure that a lot of copycat examples will be popping up in the next few days: I can't wait to see someone attempt to capture a Mario level up, or a sticky grenade from Halo, or a terrorist facing off a counter terrorist à la Counter-Strike or... you get the point.

[Via Wonderland]

Street Fighter comes indoors and picks up some chalk originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jun 2006 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For sale: oil paintings inspired by games

Conrad Quilty-Harper — Thu, 25 May 2006 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

Jeremiah Palacek is a painter living in Prague in the Czech Republic. Over the last year he's created 154 paintings, many of which are inspired by, as he calls it "imagery from digital mediums" (read: games). You can see three examples of his work in the image above: from left to right you have an 8 foot by 4 foot monster inspired by Counter-Strike complete with abstract blood spatters, a straight up Duck Hunt imitation and last but not least, a sweeping (at least for those days) digital landscape from Road Rash. Who says games aren't art?

[Via BoingBoing]

For sale: oil paintings inspired by games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 May 2006 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Girls and hardcore gaming meet in the Home of Chrome

Jennie Lees — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: PC, First Person Shooters, Competitive Gaming

Billed as the first sports academy for competitive gaming, the Home of Chrome in Sweden is a venture set up by VIA to showcase the successful female Quake 4 team g0d (girlz of destruction). We assume the plan is to combine the appeal of micro-celebrities with the universal allure of gaming (and girl gamers in particular).

It's an interesting move, and one that every pro team (or aspiring professional gamer) is looking on with envy. As the results of this experiment appear, we'll see if more sponsors decide to follow suit--as the play girlz blog points out, this is crying out for a TV show.

Girls and hardcore gaming meet in the Home of Chrome originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Feb 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Subway story

Jennie Lees — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC, First Person Shooters

The Counter-Strike-based ad campaign for Subway went awry as soon as Valve appeared on the scene, and it was revealed that the campaign had gone ahead without Valve's permission and was breaking the EULA. Ars Technica has the backstory on the campaign, fleshing out its history and speculating on its future.

Despite its illegitimacy, the campaign did achieve results that satisfied Subway, but it's definitely serving as a warning to would-be advertisers as well as providing encouragement. It's not clear what action Valve will take against Engage and IGA Partners, but it might not be pretty.

[via Clickable Culture]

The Subway story originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jan 2006 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Homebrew WADs and mods

Adams Briscoe — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Homebrew

With the advent of DOOM being ported to the PSP, homebrew hackers have been busy at work tricking out mods for the popular shooter. One such gamer at DCEmu has managed to fix up Counter-Strike and Quake 1 that runs from the original doom2.wad file. There are all sorts of mod files cropping up for the PSP, but make sure you know how to get them running before diving into it. Check the thread for some great images and information.

[Thanks, Wraggster]

Homebrew WADs and mods originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Dec 2005 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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