Valve makes major updates to CS:GO

Big changes coming to Global Offensive.

CS:GO has finally received a major update, the first since Broken Fang in 2020, which changes the dynamic of quite a few things in the game.

Introduced via Operation Riptide, the new update sees drastic changes to some of the iconic maps as well as weapon changes and weapon damages changes along with new skins.

CS:GO released an official statement which read:

“Introducing Operation Riptide, featuring new maps, new missions, and new ways to play your favourite game modes! Activate an Operation Riptide Pass and complete your missions to earn rewards including all new agents, weapon collections, stickers, and patches.”

Let’s take a look that the updates Valve has brought about to the game through Operation Riptide.

Map Changes

Operation Riptide sees the introduction of five new community maps that will be part of the missions that will earn you that Diamond Coin in Operation Riptide.

The new maps that have been included are –

Ravine
Extraction
Insertion II
Basalt
County

Insertion II and Basalt have also been added to the other game modes, while Ravine and Extraction will only be a part of Wingman. County, likewise, will be exclusive to Danger-Zone.

Along with the introduction of new maps, Valve has also removed the following maps from its official matchmaking –

Mocha
Pitstop
Calavera
Frostbite

Dust II

CS:GO’s most iconic map, Dust II, has also received a major update via Operation Riptide, and it is the one that has the community divided on it.

Valve has blocked the mid-doors vision from T-Spawn, which means T-side players can no longer catch the CTs crossing to B side and eliminate them. Although the direct line of sight has been blocked, T-sided players could still jump down to Suicide but that would take a few seconds.

This major change means now CTs can rush to Lower Tunnels without worrying about getting blown away in the middle, which eliminates the roulette-like feel at the start of the round and balances out the map.

Along with this major change, Valve has also made other minor changes that make the visibility from upper tunnels to B back site better.

Inferno

Along with Dust II, Inferno has also received a couple of changes. Though those changes aren’t as radical as the ones of Dust II, the minor updates on Inferno are – a revised 1v1 layout, and the gate at the top of banana has become more solid, along with some minor bug fixes.

Ancient

Another relatively new map, Ancient, has also received a couple of updates, which are – increased plant area size at both bombsites, rectified bullet penetration through plywood surfaces, added optimisation, and added 1v1 arenas.

Gameplay

There have been some significant changes to general gameplay too, which are –

• Players can now drop grenades just like they can do with weapons. No need to worry about utility being low on specific players now.
• Vision has been reduced from 3.0s to 2.0s after death.
• Desert Eagle’s body shot damage has been reduced, so now if you plan to take out your opponents, you’d have to aim for the head instead of just couple of body shots.
• M4A1-S has become one of the most potent weapons after the update, with the silenced M4A1 now having increased body damage. All you need is three body shots now to take out your opponent.
• The Dual Elites have seen a price drop from $500 to $300.
• The Riot Shield is back and is purchasable in Casual Hostage maps by the CTs.

Game Modes

The Riptide update also sees a few changes to the game modes which are –

Private Matchmaking Queues

• Players can now generate Queue Codes and share it with their friends to create private matches.
• Players can also play matches with members of their Steam Groups exclusively.

Short Competitive

Valve has now added the option to give players the opportunity to select the match duration in competitive matchmaking. Short matches consist of a maximum of 16 rounds, where first to 9 wins. Long matches remain the same, where players play a total of 30 rounds where first to 16 wins, and players can also choose No Preference and let the game select either.

Deathmatch

Changes in Deathmatch sees players now have the option to select between Classic Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch (where first team to get 100 kills wins) or a Free-for-all Deathmatch (all players are enemies).

Demolition

• Maximum rounds have been reduced to 10 and the half-time team swap has been removed.
• Round times have been reduced.
• Weapon progressions have been adjusted.

Arms Race

• Adjustment of weapon progression.
• Players will now get health-shots after three kills.

Skins

In addition to the new Train 2021, Mirage 2021, Dust II 2021, and Vertigo 2021, a new Riptide Case collection has also been added to the game.

Along with these changes, Valve has also increased the maximum cooldown penalty for griefing, which will see now players being on cooldown for 14 days: no more bad behaviour!

The Operation Riptide is probably one of the biggest updates Valve has given CS:GO in recent history and will definitely have an impact on the game. With the Stockholm Major ready to get underway from end October, teams will be pushing themselves to get accustomed to these updates and be able to build their strategies around it.