- This article is about the video game series. For the first game in the series, see Counter-Strike.
The Counter-Strike series is a series of multiplayer first-person shooter video games primarily developed for Microsoft Windows and later, macOS, by Valve Corporation. Counter-Strike was later ported to the Xbox while Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has been released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360—a first for the series. Counter-Strike 2 was released on September 27, 2023 simultaneously on Windows and Linux via Steam. The game immediately replaced Global Offensive in the Steam client, effectively becoming a free upgrade. There was no release for macOS — Valve officially discontinued support for that system.[1]
The series has been known for its competitive, challenging gameplay, its high use of team work and tactics, and the use of the GoldSrc and Source engines, known for their accessibility and being friendly for game modification.[2]
History
Was first created as a tactical first-person shooter video game developed by Valve Corporation which originated from a Half-Life modification by Minh "Gooseman" Le and Jess "Cliffe" Cliffe. By the fourth beta version, Valve Software, the developer who created Half-Life, began assisting in the development of Counter-Strike. In 2000, Valve bought the rights to Counter-Strike, and would publish the title for Microsoft Windows that year, and later in 2003 for the Xbox. OS X and Linux ports were available in January 2013.
Games
- Counter-Strike (Microsoft Windows, macOS†, Linux)
- Counter-Strike Xbox Edition (Xbox)
- Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (Microsoft Windows)
- Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Deleted Scenes (Microsoft Windows)
- Counter-Strike: Source (Microsoft Windows, macOS†, Linux)
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 3§, Xbox 360§)
- Counter-Strike 2 (Microsoft Windows, Linux, SteamOS)
† - Up to macOS 10.15 Catalina, where support has been dropped due to the games being 32-bit.
§ - Support for console editions were dropped shortly after launch.
Spin-offs
The spin-off games are targeted towards a different audience and are usually not considered part of the series.
- Counter-Strike Neo (Arcade)
- Counter-Strike Online (Microsoft Windows)
- Counter-Strike Online 2 (Microsoft Windows)
- Counter-Strike Nexon (Microsoft Windows)
Sales
As of December 3, 2008, the original Counter-Strike had sold 4.2 million retail copies, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero had sold 2.9 million, Counter-Strike Xbox Edition had sold 1.5 million, and Counter-Strike: Source had sold 2.1 million. Digital sales via Steam are not factored in.[3]
Valve has stated that the series has sold over 25 million units since the original release of Counter-Strike.[4]
References
- ↑ Techradar.com — Counter-Strike 2 support for older hardware and Mac is being discontinued so Valve can focus on 64-bit Windows and Linux
- ↑ Store.steampowered.com :: News — VALVE ANNOUNCES COUNTER-STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE (CS: GO)
- ↑ Shacknews.com — Valve Reveals Lifetime Retail Sales of Half-Life, Counter-Strike Series
- ↑ Gamespot.com — Counter-Strike: Global Offensive firing up early 2012
External links
- Counter-Strike at Wikipedia
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