Counter-Strike Online is a first-person shooter video game, targeted towards Asia's gaming market released in 2008. It is based on Counter-Strike and was developed by Nexon with oversight from license-holder Valve. It uses a micropayment model that is managed by a custom version of Steam.
Overview
The game features a variety of additions over the international Counter-Strike, such as the introduction of female characters, numerous new weapons and skins for previous weapons. Most of the weapons are "locked" by default, so virtual cash or in-game points are essential to purchase them. Most special weapons, skins, power-ups, etc. can be purchased with cash points. A variety of other special items can also be bought with in-game points as well. Counter-Strike Online itself is free to play, but some weapons are bought using points purchased with real money. These weapons usually expire after a certain amount of time but sometimes can be purchased permanently during a promotion. Certain weapons and items can be purchased with points that are gained by getting kills, completing objectives, etc.
Modes
Counter-Strike Online includes classic Counter-Strike modes and added more. They are categorized as six: Classic, Deathmatches, Zombie Infection, Scenarios, Fun and Others.
Classic: Round-based match. The modes available are Bomb Defuse, Hostage Rescue, Assassination and Basic.
Deathmatches: Players will respawn immediately after death. The modes available are Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Gun Deathmatch.
Zombie Infection: Humans must survive incoming zombie attacks. The modes available are Zombie 1: Original, Zombie 2: Mutant, Zombie 3: Hero and Zombie 4: Darkness.
Scenarios: A group of 10 players must survive and annihilate computer-controlled enemies to clear specific goals. Some maps have to defeat a boss. Modes available are Zombie Scenario and Human Scenario.
Fun: Spin-off modes. Modes available are Hidden, Bazooka Battle, Soccer, Challenge and Item Battle.
On April 5, 2012, Nexon and Valve announced a partnership to develop Counter-Strike Online 2, which is based on an enhanced Source engine, and offered enhanced graphics, powerful impact physics, and more new features. It has been confirmed that Counter-Strike Online 2 uses the same Source version as . However, it is not a copy of CS:S since all the features in game like models, maps and sounds are completely rebuilt by Nexon of South Korea.
Professional leagues and tournaments
Counter-Strike Online is one of the largest esports, with various annual tournaments taking place worldwide.
Other tournaments
The World Cyber Games 2012Grand Finals in Kunshan hosted a Counter-Strike Online tournament, at which teams from China, Taiwan, Malaysia and South Korea competed. The TYLOO team from China won the tournament.
Spin-off
Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies was released on Steam the October 7, 2014. This is the first adaptation of Counter-Strike Online to be published via Valve's Steam content delivery system. Counter-Strike Online Singapore/Malaysia, which also run in English language, was closed six months later.
