The cover story for the newest print issue of Game Informer magazine has some details about the upcoming Xbox version of Counter-Strike that is being developed by Ritual Entertainment and Valve Software. According to the article, the Xbox version of the popular PC multiplayer shooter will contain all the current content of the PC version plus all of the content of the upcoming Counter-Strike: Condition Zero single player game. There will be some Xbox exclusive content as well, including at least five new multiplayer levels, two new weapons (the Syringe and Machete) and some graphical improvements including 24 bit textures and better lighting and particle effects. There are also hints in the article that there might be support for user created gameplay modes in the Xbox Counter-Strike, although there were no specifics mentioned (thanks HomeLAN).

The Counter-Strike Gaming Network (CSGN) announced that they have become the first UK league to use Game2XS' revolutionary Instant Game Server system and high-speed infrastructure.

Noticed on HomeLAN that Namco has licensed the popular Half-Life modification Counter-Strike for use in its new chain of Ledzone entertainment centers, Impress Game Watch reports today. Namco's original version of the game will be called "Counter-Strike Neo," and the company plans to release a test version this month. CS Neo is substantially similar to the latest version of the game for American PC gamers, but it incorporates a more simplified interface and a detailed tutorial mode to acclimate inexperienced players to the game. Namco's setup is built around two-on-two games, but its facilities are able to accomodate larger games, and the company hopes to host competitive events sanctioned by the Cyberathlete Professional League in the future.

Valve, L.L.C., creators of Counter-Strike and Half-Life, today announced immediate availability of a 64-bit version of the Counter-Strike dedicated server using the upcoming AMD Opteron processor. Counter-Strike has the largest service footprint of any game on the Internet, with 35,000 servers generating over 4.5 billion player minutes per month.

Counter-Strike is the #1 online action game in the world. After a one-year public Beta, Counter-Strike was commercially released in Fall 2000. It has sold over 1 million copies worldwide, been named “Game-of-the-Year” by several gaming publications, and is the headliner at competitive gaming tournaments around the world. Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (CS: CZ) advances this award-winning series by introducing single-player action and special enhancements for online play. CS: CZ is a tactical action game that challenges you to compete with and against cunning computerized opponents in mission-based campaigns across the globe.

Valve has let us know that their plan is to begin the 2.0 beta test of their Steam broadband content delivery system this Thursday, January 16. Included in the beta will be the release of Counter-Strike version 1.6, "which introduces new weapons (riot shield, FAMAS, and more) a new map (de_airstrip), as well as various fixes and tweaks." Also included in the new Steam beta will be a new version of TeamFortress Classic "featuring the introduction of the teleportation pad, a new map (ravelin), and more." (thanks Blues).

Tiscali Games today tossed up a DivX Counter-Strike: Condition Zero trailer (originally 30 MB AVI), and this time exceptionally without their usual logo-title / watermark.. High-res 600x450 (9 MB) or low-res 300x225 (4 MB). You find them here!

As expected, the version 1.1.1.0 patches for Half-Life and version 1.0.0.5 patches for the retail edition of Counter-Strike are now available for download. This release includes the Ricochet mod, a new demo recording facility, additional anti-cheat measures, the new C-S map de_piranesi, and various other improvements and bug fixes. You can use the SierraUp utility (from the "Configuration->Update" menu) that was distributed with previous releases, and Steam users should be able to upgrade around this time as well. (thanks Blues). Read more for links on where to grab these hot patches (and dont be surprised if half of the links will be out of service due to high traffik).

As expected the Half-Life v1.1.0.9 patch and the Counter-Strike v1.0.0.4 (retail CS only) have been released. These updates have tons of fixes and tweaks such as the new Anti-Cheat protection, HLTV changes, integration of Steam technology and so on. Either use the SierraUp utility, from the "Configuration-Update" menu, that was distributed with previous releases or if you are one of those Steam people, you should have it by now (thanks blues). Read more for a detailed fix list and links where to grab the files.

The Steam-administered beta of Half-Life 1.1.0.9 and Counter-Strike 1.4 are almost finished, and the final versions of these updates will be released to the public next week. Hurray for THAT! 'Read more' for details.

Sierra Entertainment, Inc., a studio of Vivendi Universal Publishing, and Valve, LLC today announced a Q2 2002 release for Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, an extensive new product that introduces single player and co-op gameplay modes to the number-one online action game in the world*.

Tiscali.cz just tossed up two nice videos from Counter-Strike 1.4 beta gameplay, which shows in 2x 3-minutes long movies and some of the new features and maps in the upcoming version of this Half-Life mod. Grab them here!

For all the CS fans out there its a known fact that cheaters are slowly but surely killing the most popular online game ever. Ever since "punkbuster" seized releasing their public tool it has only gotten worse. Gamespy has put up an interesting article with Valve's Erik Johnson that should be read by all CS players ... Check it OUT!

Powered by an enhanced Half-Life engine, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero introduces new game technologies including highly-detailed models; atmospheric enhancements, such as snow and rain; and more dynamic special effects -- taking the #1 online action game into new territory. Read all facts on the just opened official site for Counter-Strike: Condition Zero.

We just recived six new screens from Vivendi and the upcoming title, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero... CS:CZ is a tactical action game that challenges you to compete with and against cunning computerized opponents in mission-based campaigns across the globe. Release date: PC - June 2002. Enjoy!

Gearbox Software has launched the official Counter-Strike: Condition Zero website today. The site offers some news, an overview of the game and some media. "Thanks Blues"

The folks over at Stalker's just tossed up a new Counter-Strike Map Pack. The map pack is 8.82 Mb to download and it contains 7 new maps. Grab the map pack here.

Today new patches was released to Half-Life and Counter-Strike from Valve. Included in the Half-Life patch is Deathmatch Classic, a new Automatic update system, optimised model drawing and more.

• Half-Life 1.1.0.7 Full Update
• Half-Life 1.1.0.6-1.1.0.7 Patch
• Counter-Strike Retail 1.0.0.2 Full Update
• Counter-Strike Retail 1.0.0.1-1.0.0.2 Patch
  
  Valve patch time!!

PlanetHardware has updated their Counter-Strike tweak guide so you can increase performance in Counter-Strike.

The official Counter-Strike site has released some new high quality maps. You can find them right here!

Rogue Entertainment isn't developing Counter-Strike: Condition Zero anymore, but, Valve Software confirmed today that the game still is under development. Some few features from the game: 8 new weapons, 16 new multiplayer maps, 32 new missions and at least one new player class.