Counter-Strike: Source Soon to See Big Update

Among all game developers, Valve is special in many different ways. One of the most noteworthy is the fact that the company readily supports its current games in order to prolong their lives, most often for free. Take Team Fortress 2, for example, and Left 4 Dead, or even the older Day of Defeat: Source (which saw multiple large updates in its prime). But of all the Valve titles that are still very popular today, one has sat in the virtual corner and been neglected to see updates for years.

Of course, I’m talking about Counter-Strike: Source. A couple of weeks ago, I had a craving to play some CS:S, and I did, but I couldn’t help but wonder if the game was ever to see an update or two, because the game is usually the #1 most played on all of Steam. To see it neglected was undoubtedly strange. Well, the drought has seemingly come to and end, as Valve opened up beta spots on Tuesday to recruit testers to put some upcoming changes through their paces.

At the time of writing, all of the beta positions have been filled, but judging by the message on the beta page, it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be in beta for too long. That means it shouldn’t be too long until everyone can dive in and take the new features for a spin. Unfortunately, features is all players are going to be seeing, as Valve hasn’t introduced any new maps with this update.

Instead, most of the changes are cosmetic, with things like achievements introduced, revamped UI graphics, some improved textures, HDR in some levels, death camera, domination and revenge system (wait, what?), avatar icons and general Source engine updates. There are many other small changes not mentioned on the beta page introduced as well, so it’s hardly a definitive list (eg: some explosion effects have been improved).

Thanks to the fact that there are no new levels being introduced and rather just visual features and other improvements implemented, my excitement for the update has kind of waned. Many of the updates really aren’t needed, but I admit some are nice, and for the most part, there’s really no room for complaint since most new features won’t affect even die-hard players (at least, if toggles are introduced).

Because the timing of this big update comes at the exact same time as the official Mac OS X client release, some are speculating that that’s the reason CS:S is seeing an update at all. In truth, that might just be the case, but nothing is for certain. One thing that doesn’t help the case is that it appears that it wasn’t even Valve who spearheaded the update, but rather a third party by the name of Hidden Path studios.

Even still, updates are updates, and if they’re generally approved by the ultra-large fanbase, then great. And if the game does reach some popularity on the Mac platform, then maybe, just maybe, some more official maps will be introduced down the road.

Available immediately, Valve has launched an extensive update to Counter-Strike: Source, now in beta. The update includes a host of new features and functionality developed in collaboration with Hidden Path Studios. This beta will run for a limited time, and once complete, the update will be deployed to all Counter-Strike: Source owners for free via Steam. Click the ‘install game’ button above to opt in to the beta and get started. If you don’t see the button above, we’ve filled the available slots.