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What it did mean was the inclusion of Valve's new netcode into the Counter-Strike game. What exactly is the new "netcode" of Valve? In all very simple terms, the new system balances out the challenges involved in multiplayer gaming that modem users must deal with at nearly all times. While I have not had a true lab setting to test out the details or the significant improvements/steps backward, I will say that after playing the new version over a dial-up, I'm quite pleased with how my game handles information, even with 300 ms of latency over a 28.8 connection. However, this new netcode has also been a major source of complaint by the CS community. Quite frankly, the game does feel a bit more sluggish in some areas, but that may be because of the large amounts of memory that this game will require (64 is the absolute minimum). However, I've also been told by techies that the new netcode simply takes some tweaking. As of this writing, some rumors exist of the next patch addressing some of the new netcode bugs.
Fig. 11. The remnants of a bloodbath.The final element of the game is the selection of grenades, ranging from the classic concussion grenade to flashbangs and smoke grenades. First, the concussion grenade is a simple grenade that simply blows up after a few seconds, causing some damage but rarely any kills. The second grenade is the flashbang, an item I feel is exceptionally useful for in multiplayer games. This grenade explodes like a flashbang. However, it's got some interesting affects on player's who see it: their screen goes white for a split second, allowing just enough time for you to rush in and confuse your opponents with a hail of bullets. To me, this is the best made flashbang in a game ever. The final item, smoke grenades, have received a lot of criticism because they're mostly used as tools to mess with an opponent's game performance. In basic words, the smoke given off by these grenades is enough to slow down some pretty high-end computers and their graphics cards.
Despite these half-cooked smoke grenades, Counter-Strike remains a terrifically well balanced game. The guns have been thought through, the maps are carefully selected, and the tension and replayability of the missions have made the gameplay of this game so likable.
Conclusion
Fig. 12. The new Guerrila Warfare model.
To sum it all up, Counter-Strike is something new and exciting. It's a free mod of one of the best multiplayer gaming platforms ever, that's added so much value to the original game that even the original creators of Half-Life have begun sponsoring it. So, is it for you? Here are some of the key highlights:
- It's free.
- It's online multiplayer gaming based on the Game of the Year.
- Fantastic open-beta testing format.
- High-quality maps, art, and characters completely different from that of Half-Life.
- Easy to start and begin playing.
- Did I mention it's free?
Can gaming get any better than this?
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Important Links:
- Counter-Strike Homepage
- Counter-Strike Nation
- Valve
- Sierra
