Editing Counter-Strike (video game) (section)

==Release==
===Pre-release===
On April 12, 2000, [[Valve Software]] announced a partnership with the ''Counter-Strike'' Team, confirming that ''Counter-Strike 1.0'' would be included in an upcoming ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]'' patch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cliffe |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Cliffe |date=April 12, 2000 |title=Press Release - ''Counter-Strike'' Team Partners with Valve |url=http://www.counter-strike.net/haxornews/april2000.html#newsitem955573899,26684, |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010405145640/http://www.counter-strike.net/haxornews/april2000.html#newsitem955573899,26684, |archive-date=April 5, 2001 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=Counter-Strike}}</ref> Though not explicitly stated, it is widely believed that this followed Valve's acquisition of ''Counter-Strike''. Statements suggest the rights were sold in early 2000, involving a financial transaction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Callaham |first=John |date=November 10, 2000 |title=''Half-Life: Ricochet'' Preview |url=http://www.stomped.com/published/jcal973833907_1_1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011214145009/http://www.stomped.com/published/jcal973833907_1_1.html |archive-date=December 14, 2001 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=STOMPED}}</ref> Despite the partnership, two more beta versions were released. Beta 6.5 (June 8, 2000) introduced an updated netcode,<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Counter-Strike'' Beta 6.5 (June 8, 2000) |url=https://hl2-beta.ru/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=54 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504235313/https://hl2-beta.ru/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=54 |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=HALF-LIFE Project Beta}}</ref> while Beta 7.0 (August 26, 2000) added drive-able vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Counter-Strike'' Beta 7.0 (August 26, 2000) |url=https://hl2-beta.ru/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=56 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504111859/https://hl2-beta.ru/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=56 |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=HALF-LIFE Project Beta}}</ref> Following the acquisition of the game by Valve, while Cliffe continued working for them, Le did additional work towards a ''Counter-Strike 2.0'' based on Valve's upcoming [[Source engine]], but left to start his own studio after Valve opted to shelve the sequel.<ref name="retro"/>

Valve planned to release ''Counter-Strike'' both as a ''Half-Life'' mod and a standalone retail product on August 31, 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cliffe |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Cliffe |date=September 1, 2000 |title=''Half-Life: Counter-Strike'' Announced |url=http://counter-strike.net/haxornews/sep2000.html#newsitem967774903,85797, |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010805064423/http://counter-strike.net/haxornews/sep2000.html#newsitem967774903,85797, |archive-date=August 5, 2001 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=Counter-Strike}}</ref> The decision aimed to increase accessibility and test market demand for a multiplayer game independent of ''Half-Life''. Legal issues arose before the retail release, particularly regarding weapon names, which were changed to fictional alternatives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bye |first=John |date=November 9, 2000 |title=''Counter-Strike v1.0'' released |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_29710 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401213223/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-29710 |archive-date=April 1, 2024 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref> Valve also had to secure rights for maps and textures, leading to modifications and removals of certain assets.<ref name="cadaver">{{Cite web|url=http://www.battle-fields.com/article.php?artid=39|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020619072855/http://www.battle-fields.com/article.php?artid=39|title=Cadaver Interview|access-date=February 25, 2025|date=April 24, 2002|archive-date=June 19, 2002|website=B-F Total Gaming Network}}</ref> Minh Le, one of the original developers, compensated mappers whose work Valve did not purchase.<ref name="cadaver" />

===Post-release===
The retail version included new content, such as three additional weapons designed by Minh Le and updated player models provided by Valve.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Stuart |date=December 20, 2000 |title=''Counter-Strike'': The Mod that Rocks |url=http://www.pczone.co.uk/guest/php3/openframe.php3?page=features/_rocks/_rocks1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010602024551/http://www.pczone.co.uk/guest/php3/openframe.php3?page=features/_rocks/_rocks1.html |archive-date=June 2, 2001 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=PC Zone}}</ref> Maverick Developments created a training map for the retail edition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Caryn |date=October 15, 2000 |title=The ''Half-Life'' Mod Expo 2000 |url=http://www.planethalflife.com:80/features/articles/modexpo2000/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001109104300/http://www.planethalflife.com:80/features/articles/modexpo2000/ |archive-date=November 9, 2000 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=Planet Half-Life}}
</ref> On November 9, 2000, Valve announced that the retail version had [[Gone gold|gone gold]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/10411/counter-strike-v10 |title=''Counter-Strike v1.0'' |first=Steve |last=Gibson |date=November 9, 2000 |website=[[Shacknews]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-10-released/1100-2652037/ |title=''Counter-Strike 1.0'' Released |first=Trey |last=Walker |date=November 9, 2000 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515193400/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-10-released/1100-2652037/ |archive-date=May 15, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the mod version was released shortly after.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cliffe |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Cliffe |date=November 9, 2000 |title=''CS V1.0'' Released! |url=http://counter-strike.net/haxornews/nov2000.html#newsitem973748630,76563, |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010805040513/http://counter-strike.net/haxornews/nov2000.html#newsitem973748630,76563, |archive-date=August 5, 2001 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=Counter-Strike}}</ref> It was launched under the name ''Half-Life: Counter-Strike'' because according to Jess Cliffe, the game did not have a strong identity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jess Cliffe on Xbox ''Counter-Strike'' |url=http://www.gamespy.com/interviews/november03/jesscliffe/index2.shtml |last=O'Donnell |first=Ryan |date=2003-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031121142150/http://www.gamespy.com/interviews/november03/jesscliffe/index2.shtml |archive-date=2003-11-21 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref> After launch, Valve continued releasing updates. Version 1.1 implemented a new spectator mode,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cliffe |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Cliffe |title=''CS Windows 1.1'' Released! |url=http://www.counter-strike.net:80/#:~:text=CS%20Windows%201.1%20Released! |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010401225735/http://www.counter-strike.net:80/#:~:text=CS%20Windows%201.1%20Released! |archive-date=April 1, 2001 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=Counter-Strike}}</ref> version 1.3 introduced voice chat,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cliffe |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Cliffe |date=September 19, 2001 |title=''CS 1.3 Released! |url=http://counter-strike.net:80/#:~:text=--%20cliffe-,CS%201.3%20Released!,---%20Friday%2C%20September%2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010927054201/http://counter-strike.net:80/#:~:text=%2D%2D%20cliffe-,CS%201.3%20Released!,-%2D%2D%20Friday%2C%20September%2021 |archive-date=September 27, 2001 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=Counter-Strike}}</ref> and version 1.4 added anti-cheat measures.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2002 |title=Steam Update |url=http://csnation.counter-strike.net/comments.php?id=4065 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020605065615/http://csnation.counter-strike.net/comments.php?id=4065 |archive-date=June 5, 2002 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=CS-Nation}}</ref> ''Counter-Strike 1.5'', released on June 12, 2002, was the last update before transitioning to Steam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://csnation.counter-strike.net/comments.php?id=3807|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020605113258/http://csnation.counter-strike.net/comments.php?id=3807|title=''CS 1.4'' Nears.|access-date=February 25, 2025|date=January 5, 2002|archive-date=June 5, 2002|website=CS-Nation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Trey |date=June 12, 2002 |title=''Half-Life'' and ''Counter-Strike'' patches on the way |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-and-counter-strike-patches-on-the-way/1100-2868261/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> 

In October 2002, it was stated that ''Counter-Strike 1.6'' would initially be distributed via [[Steam (service)|Steam]], with a beta test preceding its official release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gheorghe |first=Silviu |date=October 9, 2002 |title=Valve Software Intervew |url=http://www.computergames.ro/articole.php?optiune=show_interviews&interview=83 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021111180318/http://www.computergames.ro/articole.php?optiune=show_interviews&interview=83 |archive-date=November 11, 2002 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=Computer Games Romania}}</ref> Public beta testing was originally set to begin in mid-November,<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2002 |title=''Counter-Strike 1.6'' News |url=http://csnation.counter-strike.net/comments.php?id=5340 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021220172930/http://csnation.counter-strike.net/comments.php?id=5340 |archive-date=December 20, 2002 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=CS-Nation}}</ref> but the launch was first postponed to mid-December<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jensen |first=John |date=November 15, 2002 |title=1.6 Beta Delayed |url=http://csnation.counter-strike.net/comments.php?id=5413&hide=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021219070117/http://csnation.counter-strike.net/comments.php?id=5413&hide=true |archive-date=December 19, 2002 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=CS-Nation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2002 |title=Beta News |url=http://steampowered.com/support/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021204223330/http://steampowered.com/support/index.html |archive-date=December 4, 2002 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |publisher=[[Valve Corporation]]}}</ref> before finally starting on January 16, 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cliffe |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Cliffe |date=January 16, 2003 |title=Steam Beta 2.0 Starts |url=http://www.counter-strike.net/#newsitem1042765370,3025, |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030214200355/http://www.counter-strike.net/#newsitem1042765370,3025, |archive-date=February 14, 2003 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=Counter-Strike}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Sam |date=January 16, 2003 |title=''Counter-Strike 1.6'' released |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-16-released/1100-2908968/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> On the same day, due to overwhelming demand, further beta admissions were quickly suspended as Steam's servers ran out of bandwidth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cliffe |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Cliffe |date=January 16, 2006 |title=Steam Beta 2.0 Admission Suspended |url=http://www.counter-strike.net/newsitem1042765455,48114, |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030214200355/http://www.counter-strike.net/newsitem1042765455,48114, |archive-date=February 14, 2003 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=Counter-Strike}}</ref> It was available to the public once again in July 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvert |first=Justin |date=July 14, 2003 |title=''Counter-Strike 1.6'' available again |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-16-available-again/1100-6071605/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> Along with the beta release, Valve and [[Plantronics]] announced a blue-and-gold-colored ''Counter-Strike'' headset based on Plantronics' DSP-500 headset. The headset had an adjustable microphone boom, a built-in volume control, and was usable with a USB port rather than a [[sound card]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Sam |date=June 20, 2003 |title=''Counter-Strike''-branded headset available |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-branded-headset-available/1100-6030344/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

During the beta phase, the game underwent multiple updates, introducing new weapons and a completely redesigned interface based on Valve's VGUI2 technology.<ref name="updatehistory">{{Cite web |date= |title=Update History |url=http://www.steampowered.com:80/platform/update_history/counter-strike.html#:~:text=%5B%2D%5D-,09.09.03,-%2D%20(current%20release) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031002010107/http://www.steampowered.com:80/platform/update_history/counter-strike.html#:~:text=%5B%2D%5D-,09.09.03,-%2D%20(current%20release) |archive-date=October 2, 2003 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |publisher=[[Valve Corporation]]}}</ref> Additionally, the official bot, developed by [[Turtle Rock Studios]] for [[Counter-Strike: Condition Zero|''Counter-Strike: Condition Zero'']], was publicly tested within ''Counter-Strike 1.6'' from June 5.<ref name="updatehistory" /> After more than six months of public testing, the beta phase concluded on September 9, 2003.<ref name="updatehistory" /> The final release of ''Counter-Strike 1.6'' was initially scheduled for the following day, but last-minute changes to the Steam network caused a brief delay. The final version, along with the Steam client, was officially launched on September 12, 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Latest Steam News |url=http://www.steampowered.com:80/news.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030919014155/http://www.steampowered.com:80/news.htm |archive-date=September 19, 2003 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |publisher=[[Valve Corporation]]}}</ref> 

Following release, advertisements were brought to ''Counter-Strike''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robert |first=Matei |date=December 11, 2006 |title=''Counter-Strike'' to Be Filled with In-Game Advertisements |url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/Counter-Strike-To-Be-Filled-With-In-Game-Advertisements-42019.shtml |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=[[Softpedia]]}}</ref> They were removed after the game was converted to the SteamPipe content delivery system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 14, 2013 |title=''Counter-Strike 1.6'' update released |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/10/view/2904214312357638787 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |publisher=[[Valve Corporation]]}}</ref> Plans for ''Counter-Strike 1.7''—which aimed to merge the player bases of ''Counter-Strike'' and ''[[Condition Zero]]''—were never realized.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Sam |date=December 20, 2002 |title=''Counter-Strike: Condition Zero'' details |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/counterstrikeconditionzero/news_2907463.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030402062456/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/counterstrikeconditionzero/news_2907463.html |archive-date=April 2, 2003 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> In January 2013, Valve ported ''Counter-Strike'' onto [[OS X]] and [[Linux]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otton |first=Andrew |date=July 10, 2017 |title=''Half-Life'' and ''Counter-Strike 1.6'' Receive Updates |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/half-life-and-counter-strike-16-receive-updates |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=TechRaptor}}</ref> It is the third Valve game to be ported to Linux, after ''[[Counter-Strike: Source]]'' and ''[[Team Fortress 2]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/3/6/4072666/counter-strike-condition-zero-now-available-linux-steam |title=''Counter-Strike: Condition Zero'' now available for Linux on Steam |date=March 7, 2013 |access-date=March 12, 2025|website=[[Polygon]] }}</ref>

===Controversy===
The game faced scrutiny in [[Germany]] after being linked to the [[Erfurt school massacre]] in 2002 after it was found on the computer of the perpetrator, Robert Steinhäuser. Politicians, including [[Günther Beckstein]], and media outlets, particularly [[Bild]], then regularly referred to the game as {{Lang|de|Killerspiel}} {{Gloss|killer game}}. Calls for banning violent video games intensified, with politicians like Beckstein advocating for penalties against players. Media outlets like Frontal 21 on [[ZDF]] often portrayed players negatively.<ref name="index">{{Cite web |date=October 23, 2010 |title=''Counter-Strike'' |url=https://www.schnittberichte.com/schnittbericht.php?ID=923471 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=Schnittberichte.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmidt |first=Christian |date=June 23, 2009 |title=''Counter-Strike'': Ein "Killerspiel"? - Counter-Strike und die Verbotsdebatte |trans-title=''Counter-Strike'': A "Killer Game"? - ''Counter-Strike'' and the Ban Debate |url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/counter-strike-ein-killerspiel-counter-strike-und-die-verbotsdebatte,1956953.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129075727/https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/counter-strike-ein-killerspiel-counter-strike-und-die-verbotsdebatte,1956953.html |archive-date=November 29, 2017 |access-date=March 16, 2025 |website=[[GameStar]] |language=de |page=2}}</ref> In 2002, Germany's [[BPjM]] considered indexing ''Counter-Strike'' but ultimately rejected it, concluding that the game's objectives could be achieved without violence and that its communication aspects were beneficial. Chancellor [[Gerhard Schröder]] criticized the decision as irresponsible.<ref name="index" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Klös |first=Oliver |date=November 22, 2006 |title=Killerspiele - Die üblichen Verdächtigen |trans-title=Killer Games - The Usual Suspects |url=http://www.heute.de/ZDFheute/inhalt/23/0,3672,4078743,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070115020654/http://www.heute.de/ZDFheute/inhalt/23/0,3672,4078743,00.html |archive-date=January 15, 2007 |access-date=March 16, 2025 |website=[[ZDF]] |language=de}}</ref>

A Brazilian federal judge, Carlos Alberto Simões de Tomaz, ordered a ban on the sale of ''Counter-Strike'' and ''[[EverQuest]]'' in October 2007 arguing that the games "bring imminent stimulus to the subversion of the social order, attempting against the democratic state and the law and against public security."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.kotaku.com.au/2008/01/brazilian_government_bans_counterstrike_everquest_fun-2/|title = Brazilian Government Bans ''Counter-Strike'', ''EverQuest'', Fun|date = January 19, 2008|access-date = April 1, 2014|website = [[Kotaku]] Australia|last = McWhertor|first = Michael|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140407070436/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2008/01/brazilian_government_bans_counterstrike_everquest_fun-2/|archive-date = April 7, 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/80757-Brazil-Bans-Counter-Strike-EverQuest|title = Brazil Bans ''Counter-Strike'', ''EverQuest''|date = January 21, 2008|access-date = April 1, 2014|website = [[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|first = Andy|last = Chalk|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140407100734/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/80757-Brazil-Bans-Counter-Strike-EverQuest|archive-date = April 7, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/179980/banned-in-brazil-counter-strike-and-everquest/|title = Banned in Brazil: ''Counter-Strike'' and ''EverQuest''|date = January 21, 2008|access-date = April 1, 2014|website = [[Computer and Video Games]]|last = Bishop|first = Stuart|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141008114605/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/179980/banned-in-brazil-counter-strike-and-everquest/|archive-date = October 8, 2014|url-status = live}}</ref> The order began to be enforced on January 17, 2008, but [[Regional Federal Courts|regional federal court]] order lifting the prohibition on the sale of ''Counter-Strike'' was published on June 18, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2009 |title=Justiça libera venda do game ''Counter-Strike'' no Brasil |trans-title=Courts release ''Counter-Strike'' game for sale in Brazil |url=http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Games/0,,MUL1199747-9666,00-JUSTICA+LIBERA+VENDA+DO+GAME+COUNTERSTRIKE+NO+BRASIL.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006091104/http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Games/0%2C%2CMUL1199747-9666%2C00-JUSTICA%2BLIBERA%2BVENDA%2BDO%2BGAME%2BCOUNTERSTRIKE%2BNO%2BBRASIL.html |archive-date=October 6, 2011 |website=[[G1 (website)|G1]] |lang=pt}}</ref>