Editing Counter-Strike (video game) (section)

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = (PC) 89%<ref name="GameRankings">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/429818-counter-strike/index.html |title=''Counter-Strike'' for PC |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=January 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114044320/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/429818-counter-strike/index.html |archive-date=January 14, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><br /> (Xbox) 73%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/561530-counter-strike/index.html |title=''Counter-Strike'' for Xbox |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=January 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114044335/https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/561530-counter-strike/index.html |archive-date=January 14, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC = (PC) 88/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/counter-strike/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Counter-Strike'' for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=January 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821094811/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/half-life-counter-strike |archive-date=August 21, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />(Xbox) 74/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/counter-strike/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=''Counter-Strike'' for Xbox Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=January 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122000126/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/counter-strike |archive-date=January 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| CGM = 4.5/5<ref name="CGM Review" />
| EPD = 9/10<ref name="EPD Review">{{Cite web |last=Tilley |first=Steve |date=December 2, 2000 |title=''Counter-Strike'' (modification for Half-Life) |url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2043&full=1#mr_toppy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030130185541/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2043&full=1#mr_toppy |archive-date=January 30, 2003 |access-date=March 16, 2025 |website=[[EP Daily]]}}</ref>
| GameRev = (PC) A<ref name="GameRev" /><br/>(Xbox) 5/10<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2003 |title=Counter intuitive. Review |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/34257-counter-strike-review-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731025910/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/34257-counter-strike-review-2 |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |website=[[GameRevolution]]}}</ref>
| GI = (PC) 9.75/10<ref name="GameInf PC">{{Cite magazine |last=Brogger |first=Kristian |date=January 2001 |title=''Half-Life: Counter-Strike'' |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-93-january-2001/page/130/mode/2up?q=half-life%3A+counter-strike |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |page=130 |volume=XI |issue=93}}</ref><br/>(Xbox) 7.5/10<ref name="GameInformer Xbox">{{Cite magazine |last=Kato |first=Matthew |title=''Counter-Strike'' Xbox Review |url=http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AAEF809F-8509-48B7-8C5F-60FC8BAE26F4.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013012638/http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AAEF809F-8509-48B7-8C5F-60FC8BAE26F4.htm |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref>
| GSpot = (PC) 8.4/10<ref name="GameSpot Review" /><br/> (Xbox) 7.2/10<ref name="GameSpot Xbox">{{Cite web |last=Kasavin |first=Greg |date=November 17, 2003 |title=''Counter-Strike'' Xbox Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/counter-strike-review/1900-6083702/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321235438/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/counter-strike-review/1900-6083702/ |archive-date=March 21, 2014 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
| GSpy = (PC) 80/100<ref name="GSpy Review">{{Cite web |last=Accardo |first=Sal |date= November 25, 2000 |title=''Counter-Strike'' |url=http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/november00/counterstrike/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602065035/http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/november00/counterstrike/ |archive-date=June 2, 2002 |access-date=March 16, 2025 |website=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref><br/>(Xbox) 4/5<ref name="GSpy Xbox">{{Cite web |last=O'Donnell |first=Ryan |date=November 17, 2003 |title=''Counter-Strike'' |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/counter-strike/6362p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040604070748/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/counter-strike/6362p1.html |archive-date=June 4, 2004 |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref>

| IGN = (PC) 8.9/10<ref name="IGN Review" /><br/>(Xbox) 6.8/10<ref name="IGN Xbox">{{Cite web |last=Boulding |first=Aaron |date=November 19, 2003 |title=''Counter-Strike'' Xbox |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/19/counter-strike |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823013411/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/19/counter-strike |archive-date=August 23, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
<!-- Awards -->| award1Pub = [[GameSpot]]
| award1 = PC Best and Worst of 2000:<br />
Best Multiplayer Game,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2000/p2_12.html|title=GameSpot Presents: Best and Worst 2000|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010607083959/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2000/p2_12.html | archive-date=June 7, 2001}}</ref><br />Action Game of the Year (Readers' Choice)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2000_rc/p2.html|title=GameSpot Presents: Readers' Choice - Best and Worst 2000|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010618185239/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2000_rc/p2.html | archive-date=June 18, 2001}}</ref>
| award2Pub = [[Golden Joystick Awards]]
| award2 = 2002 edition:<br />
Online Game of the Year<ref>{{cite web |author=Thomas |date=17 September 2002 |url=http://worthplaying.com/article/2002/9/17/news/5775/ |title=Golden Joystick Awards Is Announced |publisher=Worthplaying |access-date=17 September 2002}}</ref>
| award3Pub = [[Game Developers Choice Awards]]
| award3 = 2001 edition:<br />
Rookie Studio Award,<br />Best Innovation of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_1st.html |title=1st Annual Game Developers Choice Awards |publisher=[[Game Developers Conference]] |access-date=January 28, 2021}}</ref>
}}
===Player count===
''Counter-Strike'' became one of the most popular video games. During the beta stages, it garnered over 245,000 players.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2000 |title=Popular games for March 2000 |url=http://www.theclq.com/games.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000302034612/http://www.theclq.com/games.asp |archive-date=March 2, 2000 |access-date=March 3, 2025 |website=Champions League for Quake}}</ref> After its release in November 2000, the game reached a player count of over 700,000, who played on over 7,000 servers, surpassing both [[Team Fortress Classic]] and [[Unreal Tournament]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2000 |title=Popular games for October 2000 |url=http://www.theclq.com/games.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001016164115/http://www.theclq.com/games.asp |archive-date=October 16, 2000 |access-date=March 3, 2025 |website=Champions League for Quake}}</ref> In March 2002, ''Counter-Strike'' was the most popular multiplayer game across 150 [[game centers]] in North America.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Trey |date=April 23, 2002 |title=''Counter-Strike'' still the top multiplayer game |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/counter-strike-still-the-top-multiplayer-game/1100-2862428/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=}}</ref> ''Counter-Strike'' stayed at the top in June,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Trey |date=June 24, 2002 |title=''Allied Assault'' overtakes ''Diablo II'' |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/allied-assault-overtakes-diablo-ii/1100-2871939/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvert |first=Justin |date=July 23, 2002 |title=''Halo'' debuts on multiplayer popularity chart |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-debuts-on-multiplayer-popularity-chart/1100-2875346/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> July, and August.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Jason |date=September 16, 2002 |title=''Battlefield 1942'' demo beats ''Warcraft III'' at iGames |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/battlefield-1942-demo-beats-warcraft-iii-at-igames/1100-2880412/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

===Critical reception===
====PC reception====
Upon its retail release, ''Counter-Strike'' received highly favorable reviews.<ref name="CGM Review">{{Cite web |last1=Hiles |first1=Bill |date=December 26, 2000 |title=''Half-Life: Counter-Strike'' Review |url=http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=/articles/031/069/halflife-co-r.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010612142304/http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=/articles/031/069/halflife-co-r.html |archive-date=June 12, 2001 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref><ref name="GameRev">{{cite web |last=Dodson |first=Joe |date=January 1, 2001 |title=''Counter-Strike'' Review |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/counter-strike |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202180740/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/counter-strike |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=[[Game Revolution]]}}</ref><ref name="IGN Review">{{Cite web |last=Wolfe |first=Clayton |date=November 22, 2000 |title=''Counter-Strike Review'' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/23/counter-strike-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025152316/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/23/counter-strike-2 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that E-Sports Entertainment [[ESEA League]] started the first professional fantasy e-sports league in 2004 with the game ''Counter-Strike''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/magazine/05wwln_consumed.html|title=Double Fantasy |access-date=March 16, 2014 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date = February 5, 2006|last = Walker|first = Rob|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025044509/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/magazine/05wwln_consumed.html|archive-date = October 25, 2012|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sk-gaming.com/content/8354-ESEAs_Fantasy_ESports_League_Opens|title=ESEA's Fantasy E-Sports League Opens |access-date=March 16, 2014 |publisher=[[SK-Gaming]]|date = September 10, 2004|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131210235030/http://www.sk-gaming.com/content/8354-ESEAs_Fantasy_ESports_League_Opens|archive-date = December 10, 2013|url-status = live}}</ref> Some credit the move into professional competitive team play with prizes as a major factor in ''Counter-Strike''{{'s}} longevity and success.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.gameguru.in/pc/2010/10/counter-strike-success-unlimited/|title = Counter-Strike: Success Unlimited|access-date = March 16, 2014|publisher = [[GameGuru]]|date = April 10, 2010|last = Mehta|first = Prakash|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924020615/http://www.gameguru.in/pc/2010/10/counter-strike-success-unlimited/|archive-date = September 24, 2015|url-status = live}}</ref>

The game was praised by critics for its emphasis on teamwork and communication among players. Scott Osborne, writing for ''[[GameSpot]]'', felt that the audio messages were a decent feature, which covered requests for backup, status reports and warnings. One problem, according to him, was that both teams used the same voice.<ref name="GameSpot Review">{{Cite web |last=Osborne |first=Scott |date=November 27, 2000 |title=''Half-Life: Counter-Strike'' Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/half-life-counter-strike-review/1900-2657769/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401230830/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/half-life-counter-strike-review/1900-2657769/ |archive-date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> Clayton Wolfe of ''[[IGN]]'' expressed the importance of teamwork and stating, "It's the team-based tactics that make [''Counter-Strike''] so fun."<ref name="IGN Review" /> [[Computer Games Magazine|''Computer Games Magazine'']]{{'}}s Bill Hiles also commented about the social aspects of the game, saying that a player should work in teams rather than alone.<ref name="CGM Review" /> Joe Dodson for ''[[GameRevolution]]'' wrote that "Nothing can beat a coordinated, experienced team in [''Counter-Strike''], except an even more coordinated and experienced team." He also found the team talk favorable.<ref name="GameRev" />

Most reviewers agreed that the [[GoldSrc|GoldSrc engine]] felt dated,<ref name="GameSpot Review" /><ref name="IGN Review" /> but still praised the graphics. Hiles commented that the visuals were acceptable and "do an admirable job portraying outdoor locations,"<ref name="CGM Review" /> while Dodson noted the graphics were identical to ''Half-Life''.<ref name="GameRev" /> According to Osborne, the game's maps had "imaginative texturing and dramatic lighting effects," but pointed out that they were too dark sometimes.<ref name="GameSpot Review" /> Wolfe felt that the environmental textures were realistic enough.<ref name="IGN Review" />

Critics appreciated the realistic weapon sound effects, with Osborne writing that they made guns "viscerally fun to shoot".<ref name="GameSpot Review" /> Wolfe agreed, but wished "the same amount of attention to detail was given to the rest of the sound in the game". He felt that the crashing thunder was flat and pointed out that footsteps didn't vary based on the surface being walked on.<ref name="IGN Review" /> Dodson felt that the animations were dated, but were "nothing to scoff at".<ref name="GameRev" /> Hiles commented that the character model animations needed improvement.<ref name="CGM Review" />

====Xbox reception====
The Xbox edition received mixed reviews from critics in comparison to the original game. On the topic of graphics, Matthew Kato from ''[[Game Informer]]'' wrote that there were "graphical updates here and there" and mentioned the game's inclusion of weather.<ref name="GameInformer Xbox" /> [[Greg Kasavin]] of ''GameSpot'' felt that the visuals weren't extraordinary and not enough to make the game "good-looking".<ref name="GameSpot Xbox" /> ''IGN''<nowiki/>'s Aaron Boulding mentioned that they were "the biggest disappointment." He commented that the environments were noteworthy in design, but "not in their overall look and level of detail."<ref name="IGN Xbox" />

The [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] technology was a surplus for the Xbox edition, because of critics praising for its human-like behavior. Kato mentioned that the bot AI contained some "human-esque traits" and that it would start to understand the map after some rounds.<ref name="GameInformer Xbox" /> Kasavin found it surprising that the bots weren't following real-life tactics of terrorists or counter-terrorists, but rather mimic the actions of a player.<ref name="GameSpot Xbox" /> He pointed out that they would [[Camping (video games)|camp]] at a certain place and follow the orders of a player, such as following them or holding a position.<ref name="GameSpot Xbox" /> 

Many critics also highlighted [[Xbox Live]] as one of the main reasons to purchase the game. Kasavin noted that it runs properly, with hosted matches able to hold 10 players.<ref name="GameSpot Xbox" /> Boulding expressed that "online play over Xbox Live is going to be the greatest reason to buy this game" and that it's convenient.<ref name="IGN Xbox" /> 

===Awards===
''Counter-Strike'' earned numerous accolades on its release. In 2000, it was recognized by many gaming magazines and websites as Game of the Year, Action Game of the Year, or Online Game of the Year. The game also won 2 reader polls for Game of the Year from GameSpot US and VoodooExtreme readers. At the Game Developer 2001 Spotlight Awards, ''Counter-Strike'' was named Best Multiplayer Game and received a Special Achievement in Gaming.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards and Honors |url=http://www.valvesoftware.com/awards.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013052740/http://www.valvesoftware.com/awards.html |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |access-date=March 3, 2025 |website=[[Valve]]}}</ref><!-- We really need secondary sources for these awards. I can't verify the two Spotlight awards. But the game did win 2 different awards from GDC in 2000 not 2001 so im not sure whats up. -->

In 2003, ''Counter-Strike'' was inducted into [[GameSpot]]'s greatest games of all time list.<ref name="Gamespot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-12.html|title=The Greatest Games of All Time: ''Counter-Strike''|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012131015/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-12.html | archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>

===Sales===
''Counter-Strike'' became the first fan-made video game to be released commercially.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Laukkanen |first=Tero |url=http://archive.org/details/Modding-scenes-introduction-user-created-content |title=Modding Scenes: Introduction to User-Created Content in Computer Gaming |date=October 2005 |publisher=[[University of Tampere]] |isbn=951-44-6448-6 |pages=12 |issn=1458-9974}}</ref> By July 2001, global retail sales of the game had surpassed 250,000 units.<ref name="cgwsales2">{{Cite magazine |last=Price |first=Tom |title=Army of One |issue=204 |date=July 2001 |pages=50–55 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] }}</ref> By October 2002, sales had exceeded 1.3 million copies.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dyson |first=Esther |url=http://archive.org/details/release-1.0-10-02 |title=Harnessing the Hive: How Online Games Drive Networked Innovation |date=October 18, 2002 |publisher=Edventure |pages=8}}</ref> Sales continued to rise, reaching 1.5 million units and generating $40 million in revenue by February 2003.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Slangle |first=Matt |title=Modder-Day Adventures |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86017268/lansing-state-journal/ |newspaper=[[Lansing State Journal]] |page=20 |date=February 25, 2003 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

By August 2004, ''Counter-Strike'' had grossed $75 million in revenue and had an estimated two million players worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Movies - Vivendi Steps Up Presence in the Philippines |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O1o1AAAAIBAJ&dq=counter-strike&pg=PA49&article_id=1486,17927301 |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |pages=49}}</ref> In the United States, its retail version sold 550,000 copies and earned $15.7 million by August 2006, making it the 22nd best-selling PC game in the country between January 2000 and August 2006.<ref name="edgesales">{{Cite magazine |last=Edge Staff |title=The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017165955/http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/ |date=August 25, 2006 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Xbox version of the game sold 1.5 million copies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Remo |first=Chris |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Analysis: Valve's Lifetime Retail Sales for ''Half-Life'', ''Counter-Strike'' Franchises |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21319 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013124733/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21319 |archive-date=October 13, 2012 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref>

As of December 2008, ''Counter-Strike'' had sold approximately 4.2 million copies, surpassing all other Valve games except ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]'' and ''[[Half-Life 2]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Faylor |first=Chris |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Valve Reveals Lifetime Retail Sales of Half-Life, Counter-Strike Series |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/56193/valve-reveals-lifetime-retail-sales |work=[[Shacknews]] |access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref> 

A portion of ''Half-Life'' sales is often attributed to ''Counter-Strike'' since the game was originally available as a modification of ''Half-Life''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Remo |first=Chris |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Analysis: Valve's Lifetime Retail Sales for ''Half-Life'', ''Counter-Strike'' Franchises |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112269/Analysis_Valves_Lifetime_Retail_Sales_For_HalfLife_CounterStrike_Franchises.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510172544/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112269/Analysis_Valves_Lifetime_Retail_Sales_For_HalfLife_CounterStrike_Franchises.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Laukkanen |first=Tero |url=http://archive.org/details/Modding-scenes-introduction-user-created-content |title=Modding Scenes: Introduction to User-Created Content in Computer Gaming |date=October 2005 |publisher=[[University of Tampere]] |isbn=951-44-6448-6 |pages=61 |issn=1458-9974}}</ref> ''Half-Life'' experienced an unusual increase in sales year-over-year following its release, which [[Gabe Newell]] attributed to the popularity of ''Counter-Strike''. He described the release of the mod as one of the best things that could have happened to ''Half-Life''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keighley |first=Geoff |date=October 2002 |title=Game Development à la Mod |url=http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/0,1640,43489,FF.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20021014231757/http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/0,1640,43489,FF.html |archive-date=October 14, 2002 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |work=[[Business 2.0]]}}</ref>