Map Workshop
2012.08.02 - 
We believe that our work improves the most when we iterate using feedback from the community. This process is also important for map makers, which is why we have been working on a new tool to help authors present their work early and iterate often – a map workshop, where maps can be evaluated, discussed, and rated by the community. Server operators will be able to subscribe to (and automatically update) these maps, ensuring that they have the author’s most recent version throughout a map’s development.
The map workshop is the perfect place for pros and other players to develop maps with their communities. While we continue to develop the workshop, click here for a preview of a competitive revision of de_nuke by Sal ‘Volcano’ Garozzo.
Tournaments
2012.07.06 -
Tournament season is in full swing. There’s been some great action from recent ESEA and ESL CS:GO tournaments, and there are more events coming soon. Some of these tournaments have been massive, with hundreds of teams participating.
Did you miss the opening cup for the Go4CS:GO series? If so, check out videos of the semi-finals and grand finals here. We won’t spoil the winner for you, but you might recognize some familiar names.
The Go4CS:GO series continues with an event on July 8th, so head over and check to see whether your team can participate!
Future Updates and Player Skill
2012.06.28 -
Thanks for your patience as we work toward our next big updates to the beta. Based on your feedback, we’re making a ton of changes including a rewrite of sv_pure, a new system for adjusting audio spatialization, as well as additional work for character voices. Stay tuned over the next few weeks for these updates.
Meanwhile, we’ve had a great opportunity to observe the wide range of skills on display among CS:GO beta testers. Previously we looked at pro tournaments for examples of skilled play. Now, as we continue to test our online matchmaking system, we can look at the rest of the beta population. How do low, medium, and highly ranked players compare to each other? As you’d expect, the higher a player’s ranking is, the more they start to look like a pro.
Some of the most obvious examples of skill show up when we look at weapons.
For example, when using the AK47 and the M4A4, we see that highly ranked players are able to maintain their accuracy from much further away.
For pistols like the Desert Eagle, those players manage to get headshots far more often.
It’s exciting to see players translate their abilities to CS:GO. As always, to help us out during development: load up the beta, group up with your friends, and go show off your skills!
June 11th Update
2012.06.12 -
Sorry for the break in updates, we were busy at E3 announcing a launch date –August 21st – and a price – $14.99. The date and price will be for all platforms.
The update today is fixing some issues and taking a step towards some bigger updates. Over the next few weeks we will be releasing a major audio update, play with friends, new characters, and of course more beta keys.
The two most frequent questions we see asked dealing with access – will there be an open beta and when will pre-orders open up? For pre-orders we hope to open it up about a month before release so roughly July 21st but that is a rough date we will firm up as we get closer. As for an open beta, where everyone can get a chance to try CS:GO, sometime between the pre-orders and release
May 21st Update
2012.05.21 -
Today’s update is live.
One of the most requested map features has been allowing more than 5v5 on official maps. We now support up to 15v15 on official maps. The spawn locations have been prioritized to accommodate various numbers. For server operators, if you allow for more players, you may want to play with the bot quota number to find a number that works best with your server.
A complete list of release notes is available here.
