Counter-Strike: Global Offensive gets a trailer

Counter Strike: Global Offensive, the sequel to one of the most popular first person shooter (FPS) games Counter-Strike, now has a trailer, which displays the team-based tactical nature of Counter-Strike’s multiplayer mode. The trailer also shows off the power of the Source Film Maker, which was released by Valve last month. It shows two teams, terrorists and counter-terrorists. The terrorists attempt to plant a bomb to blow up a place, and the counter-terrorists have been handed the task of stopping them.

Steam is offering a discount on the pre-order of Counter Strike: Global Offensive. Another big advantage of pre-ordering the game on Steam is that exclusive access to the beta of the game is available since August 14. Beta access won't be available for those who pre-order the game from elsewhere, so there is an incentive to paying slightly more to pre-order the game off Steam.

The game will be available for the Xbox 360 via XBLA, the PlayStation 3 via PSN, and the PC via Steam. The price for the game on all three platforms is set to be $14.99 (around Rs. 825), but the pre-order on Steam is available at a 10 percent discount, which makes the price $13.49 (around Rs. 740). The game is set to release on all three platforms on 21 August 2012, after which the price of the PC version of the game will go back to $14.99.

The game features "new maps, characters, and weapons and delivers updated versions of the classic CS content (de_dust, etc.). In addition, CS: GO will introduce new gameplay modes, matchmaking, leader boards, and more".

A trailer that shows off teamwork and the Source Film Maker

"Counter-Strike took the gaming industry by surprise when the unlikely MOD became the most played online PC action game in the world almost immediately after its release in August 1999," said Valve's Doug Lombardi. "For the past 12 years, it has continued to be one of the most-played games in the world, headline competitive gaming tournaments and selling over 25 million units worldwide across the franchise. CS: GO promises to expand on CS' award-winning gameplay and deliver it to gamers on the PC as well as the next gen consoles and the Mac".

Unlike a full-fledged sequel, CS: GO looks more like an HD remake of sorts with a bunch of new gameplay mechanics thrown into the mix. Professional CS players the world over were invited to Valve’s studio to try out this game. According to them, the game while obviously looking better plays a lot like its older brother. The official press release that announced the game reiterates this, “CS: GO promises to expand on CS' award-winning gameplay and deliver it to gamers on the PC as well as the next gen consoles and the Mac”, which obviously means this isn’t Counter-Strike 2.

Few companies in the gaming world are followed as closely as Valve. This may largely be because of their utter silence on the sequel to Half-Life 2: Episode 2, which is based on the Source Engine. The game ends on a cliffhanger, and has caused people to be thoroughly annoyed with the company as it has been almost five years since Half-Life 2: Episode 2 was released through the Orange Box. Many speculate about the fabled next iteration of the game. Some believe it will be Half-Life 2: Episode 3, others believe it will be Half-Life 3. If Valve were to follow their regular pattern, a supposed Half-Life 3 would showcase the capabilities of a new graphics and physics engine.