Get your crowbar ready because Valve has just announced a sequel to one of their most popular properties. That’s right, Half-Life 2: Episode Three Counter-Strike: Global Offensive will be coming to the PC, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade during the first few months of 2012. This is good news and all, but maybe we can use those crowbars to “convince” Gabe Newell to start working on Episode Three.
A joint development between Valve and Hidden Path Entertainment, Global Offensive will “will expand upon the team-based action gameplay that [Counter-Strike] pioneered when it was launched exactly 12 years ago.” To that end, CS:GO will feature new maps, characters, and weapons alongside new gameplay modes, matchmaking, leaderboards, and more. But don’t think Valve has forgotten the past. Updated versions of classic CS maps, such as de_dust, will also be included in Global Offensive.
“For the past 12 years, [Counter-Strike] 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,” said Doug Lombardi of Valve.
Valve plans to bring a playable version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to this year’s PAX Prime at the end of August and the Eurogamer Expo in September.
