Counter-Strike: Global Offensive just introduced Operation Riptide, a massive update that features new maps, new missions, and new ways to play classic game modes. This update may introduce the biggest changes that Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has seen in years.
Operation Riptide adds a new mode for matchmaking that allows for much shorter games, where players compete to win nine rounds instead of sixteen. The Counter-Strike series has been considered the definitive first-person shooter series, but these shorter 25-minute-long games may make it a bit more accessible to fans.
The update is also bringing Private Matchmaking Queues for those who want to play with friends. This mode lets players use official Valve servers to generate a specific members code allowing groups to easily jump into games. The Deathmatch, Demolition, and Arms Race modes have all been tweaked and a string of new community maps have been added. Another notable change has been made to Dust 2, one of Counter-Strike's most iconic maps. As shown in a tweet from the official Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Twitter account, the devs added a solid wall on the attackers' side of the infamously difficult-to-defend mid corridor.
The decision to block off visibility here may make it easier on defenders, both in terms of avoiding damage and economically. It may now be viable for defenders to quickly push the double doors and get an early start into tunnels – a tactic that was available previously but was much riskier. Riot shields have also been added, grenades can now be dropped like weapons, and the Grind, Mocha, Pitstop, Calavera, and Frostbite maps have been removed from official matchmaking. Counter-Strike's Desert Eagle, known for one-hit kills, now does slightly less damage on body shots, though snipers who aim for the head have nothing to worry about.
It appears that fans are having mixed reactions to the updates. Some seem to be excited about the balance changes, particularly the tweaks to the Dust 2 map, while others seem to be very distressed about the balance changes--particularly the tweaks to the Dust 2 map.
One user immediately asked if the update was doing anything to curb cheating in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Several others declared that the game had gone back to the days of Counter-Strike 1.6, though another user countered that 1.6 still allowed players to shoot mid-doors.
It appears that gamers have a lot to process about this update.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is available now on PC.
Source: Counter-Strike