Versions

Counter-Strike 1.0

November 9, 2000

Mod, retail and server-side release

Weapon Changes

• Added three new weapons: H&K UMP .45, FN Five-Seven & SIG SG-550

Faction Changes

• Redone player models

Gameplay Changes

• Incorporated Valve's model blending technology
• Left beta stages

Interface Changes

• New menu background

Map Changes

• Updated cs_office and de_vegas
• Reverted de_foption to BETA 7.0 version (Mistake due to a mix-up at Valve Software)
• Removed de_jeepathon2k

Faction Changes

• Player models will no longer show a defusal kit or a bomb being carried
• Player models will no longer show a swimming animation

Retail Differences

• Added Training map
• Removed cs_arabstreets, cs_estate, de_foption, as_highrise, de_nuke, as_tundra, de_vegas
• Weapons no longer use their real names
• Renamed Phoenix Connektion terrorist faction to Phoenix Connexion
• Renamed Gorilla Warface terrorist faction to Guerilla Warfare

Counter-Strike 1.0b

January 25, 2001

Server-side only release

Bug Fixes

• Fixed the problem with some clients lagging for a round or two at the beginning of a map.
• Fixed the "listmaps" command so it displays all the maps.
• Other fixes.

Counter-Strike 1.1

March 13, 2001

Mod, retail and server-side release

Changes/Additions

• Added spectator mode -- allow_spectators (0/1)
• Terrorist bomb backpack re-added [to player models]
• Upgraded player models to 512x512 textures
• Counter-Terrorist defusal kit pack re-added [to player models]
• Updated bomb and defusal kit world models
• Made jumping while shooting more inaccurate with submachine guns
• Took out sniper crosshair when zoomed out
• AWP leg shots now non-lethal
• Swimming animation re-added to player models
• Status bar text uses team colors
• All CS Strings localized to titles.txt
• Added option to take "end game" screenshot
• Length of MOTD increased to 1536
• Weapon manufacturers are no longer specified in the buy menu
• Logic use to cycle the map has been changed. The map will cycle if one of three conditions has been met:
  • "mp_timelimit" has been met
  • "mp_winlimit" rounds have been won by one of the teams
  • "mp_maxrounds" have been played
• Fixed many cheats
• Changed logging format to meet the standards. Several events have been added to the logs:
  • "Begin_Bomb_Defuse_Without_Kit"
  • "Begin_Bomb_Defuse_With_Kit"
  • "Spawned_With_The_Bomb"
  • "Dropped_The_Bomb"
  • "Got_The_Bomb"
  • "Became_VIP"
  • "Escaped_As_VIP"
  • "Round_Start"
  • "Round_End"

Map Changes

• Added cs_thunder
• Mod only: Added de_vertigo, de_inferno, de_dust2 & de_rotterdam
• Upgraded de_dust, de_cbble, de_vegas, de_aztec, cs_office, cs_siege, & cs_italy
• Removed cs_arabstreets, de_foption, as_highrise

Bug Fixes

• "Out of ammo" hint message fixed
• "Punished for team killing" hint message fixed
• "Through floor" death animation fixed

New/Changed CVARS

• mp_playerid
  • Toggles what information players see in the status bar.
  • 0 everyone: players see all names listed in the status bar (with appropriate team colors).
  • 1 team only: players only see names for their teammates and hostages in the status bar.
  • 2 off: players do not see any names in the status bar (hostages included).
  • 0 is the default.
• mp_fadetoblack (overrides mp_forcechasecam)
  • 0 nothing
  • 1 player's screen fades to black for the remainder of the round when he dies (hud still works normally so player can chat and see the scores, etc).
  • 0 is the default.
• mp_forcechasecam
  • 0 free to spectate anyone when player dies.
  • 1 only allowed to spectate player's own team when player dies.
  • 2 not allowed to spectate anyone... player's view stays where the player dies.
  • 0 is the default.
• mp_buytime (float)
  • Can now designate the desired amount of buy time for each round.
  • min buy time is .5 minutes.
  • no max buy time.
  • Example: mp_buytime 1.8 // 108 seconds of buy time.
  • 1.5 min is the default (CS 1.0 buy time).
• mp_roundtime (float)
  • Changed to support partial minutes
  • min round time is 1 min
  • max round time is 9 min
  • Example: mp_roundtime 1.3 // 78 seconds
  • 5 min is the default (CS 1.0 round time)
• mp_winlimit
  • Will cycle the map after one team reaches this many wins.
  • 0 is the default (no win limit).
• mp_timelimit (float)
  • Fixed to support 0 (no time limit)
  • Example: mp_timelimit 17.2 // 17 minutes 12 seconds.
  • 0 is the default.
• allow_spectators.
  • 0 Do not allow spectators.
  • 1 Allow spectators.

Counter-Strike 1.1c

April 9, 2001

Server-side only release

Bug Fixes

• Incorrect hitboxes fixed when holding specific weapons fixed.

Counter-Strike 1.2

July 11, 2001

Retail only release

Changes/Additions

• Addition of SierraUp, a new Automatic update system.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed GL texture binding problem (white skin bug)
• Optimized model drawing

Counter-Strike 1.3

September 19, 2001

Mod, retail and server-side release

Changes/Additions

• Multicast spectator added.
• Voice communication added.
• Added server chat to logging.
• Redesigned multiplayer scoreboard.
• Switching to Spectator is now logged.
• CapsLock key is now bindable.
• Changed minimum value for mp_chattime to 1 second
• Changed minimum value for mp_buytime to 0.25 (15 seconds)
• Commandmenu support implemented.
• Radio commands can be heard by nearby enemies.

Map changes

• Added de_storm, de_survivor, de_torn
• Updated de_inferno
  • Added indoors areas near the "Second Middle" area and near the CT Spawn Zone
  • One of the Bombsites has been relocated from CT Spawn Zone to a new area near "Banana"
• Removed de_rotterdam and cs_thunder

New CVARs

• mp_logdetail
  • bitwise cvar to set the level of detail for logging attacks.
  • Bit 0 - Log Enemy Attacks
  • Bit 1 - Log Teammate Attacks
  • "mp_logdetail 0" - Log no attacks (default)
  • "mp_logdetail 1" - Log enemy attacks
  • "mp_logdetail 2" - Log teammate attacks
  • "mp_logdetail 3" - Log enemy AND teammate attacks
• mp_startmoney
  • sets the amount of starting money players may have
  • maximum: 16000
  • minimum: 800 (default)

Bug Fixes

• Bunny hopping removed.
  • To be more precise, a player speed cap was added.
• Fixed client-side shots not matching the server-side counterparts.
• Fixed banned.cfg problem with more than 1024 entries.
• Fixed screenshots overwriting each other.
• Buffer overflow exploit fixed.
• condump, cmdlist, and cvarlist only write out to the game directory.
• Fixed Spectator mode bug.
• Fixed hitbox issues.
• Fixed nightvision bug.
• Fixed "slot10" not working correctly.

Counter-Strike 1.3 Patch

September 21, 2001

Mod and retail release

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an overflow issue that occured on ATI video cards

Counter-Strike 1.4

April 24, 2002

Mod, retail and server-side release

Changes/Additions

• Added Anti-Cheat protection.
• User Interface redone for HLTV.
• Dedicated servers (Win32 + Linux) now default to 32MB heapsize.
• Improved dedicated server FPS (sys_ticrate) accuracy in Windows NT/2K/XP and Linux.
• Enhanced in-game spectator mode to include HLTV features
• Added new first-person mode to spectator modes
• Speaking players flash in team members' radars
• Dead bodies remain on the ground for the entire round
• Dropped bomb blinks red in Terrorist team's radar
• Changed so only Terrorists are notified when the bomb is dropped or picked up
• Changed so players must stand still when planting the bomb (including no jumping)
• Changed so players can't move or shoot while defusing the bomb
• Adjusted pistol accuracy while jumping (all pistols)
• Adjusted player jumping values to minimize bunny hopping
• Changed so the VIP can't drop any weapons
• If player dies, view zooms away from falling body while changing the angle to show the killer
• Changed so name changes for dead players are stored and processed when the players respawn back into the world
• Removed players hearing enemy radio calls
• Added code to force sv_clienttrace 1 on the server
• Changed so when someone mutes a player (in the scoreboard), they will no longer see that player's in-game text messages either
• Added cheering to HLTV.
• Muting a player in the scoreboard will also mute their text messages.
• Steam beta clients and non-Steam clients can play together on the same server now.
• Voice communication uses DirectSound by default now.
• Added logging of fatal Sys_Error server shutdowns.
• Renamed setinfo items ah and vgui_menus to _ah and _vgui_menus
• Added new setinfo item _cl_autowepswitch (default: 1) which controls whether or not a client switches to picked up weapons (if they're more powerful)

Interface Changes

• Changed color of the words 'BOMB' and 'VIP' in the scoreboard to make them more visible
• Changed the way kevlar and kevlar/helmet work using the buy menus - made them work together
• Added a sound when kevlar and kevlar/helmet are purchased

Map Changes

• Added de_chateau and cs_havana
• Added de_piranesi (released on Steam version by accident)
• Updated de_train
  • The map is now brighter

New CVARS

• "mp_kickpercent"
  • sets the percentage of teammates it takes to vote off a player
  • maximum: 1.0
  • minimum: 0.0
  • default: 0.66
• "sv_restart"
  • acts exactly the same as "sv_restartround"
• "sv_send_logos"
  • when "sv_allowdownloads" is set to 1, this cvar will control whether custom logos are propagated to clients
  • default: 1
• "sv_send_resources"
  • when "sv_allowdownloads" is set to 1, this cvar will control whether resources are propagated to clients
  • default: 1
• "cl_corpsestay"
  • client-side cvar to set the amount of time (in seconds) dead bodies will stay before sinking into the ground. Dead bodies are cleared at the beginning of each round.
  • default: 600
• "cl_righthand"
  • client-side cvar to toggle using the right and left hand view-models
  • default: 1
• "cl_minmodels"
  • client-side cvar so clients can play using the minimum model set: leet.mdl, gign.mdl, and vip.mdl
  • default: 0

Bug Fixes

• Smoke grenade fix
• Radio command fix
• Fixed duplicate HUD weapon sprite bug
• Fixed footstep sounds to correctly play when not walking (fixes fastwalk cheats)
• Fixed uneven movement rate when moving through water
• Fixed server locking up at end of round when a lot of grenades are in play
• Fixed several ammo inconsistencies between weapons that share ammo types
• Fixed a T as CT skin bug
• Fixed bug with kevlar/helmet where players could buy it again at the beginning of each round even if they didn't need it
• Fixed some view_model animation bugs
• Fixed 'use' key causing an instant player stop with no deceleration
• Fixed bogus \Save directory being created when you ran Half-Life.
• Fixed filter logic in the launcher.
• Fixed bug where clients couldn't connect to server side only MODs.
• Fixed AddIP command.
• Fixed crash when a func_breakable triggers a trigger_counter.
• Fixed fog messing Additive sprites.
• Removed friends connectionless packet query.
• Fixed bad address type fatal server error (caused by clients with long names).
• Fixed condump so the output won't overwrite previous files.
• Fixed cvarlist so the output won't overwrite previous files.
• Fixed rcon_port and rcon_address so they can be set manually by the player to rcon a server.
• Fixed server shutdowns related to using bots.
• Fixed vote and votemap commands to work correctly
• Fixed bug where clients would try to change their name while dead and then couldn't change it when they respawned.

Counter-Strike 1.5

June 12, 2002

Mod, retail and server-side release

Changes/Additions

• New map de_piranesi.
• Added logging of the anti-cheat system catching and kicking detected cheats.
• Added logging of "kick" commands.
• Added logging of "banid" commands.
• Changed error message if clients try to download missing resources to be more helpful.
• Changed 'exec' command now only works on .cfg and .rc files.
• Changed 'exec' command no longer allows .. or \\ or : in the filename.
• Added new debug message for mod makers if a packet couldn't be parsed correctly.
• Linux: hlds_run now does auto-restart by default (to disable: define "-norestart" on the command line)
• Linux: hlds_run uses "exec" when you define the "-norestart" option.
• Linux: Added -pingboost command line parameter. Currently supports three different methods ('-pingboost 1', '-pingboost 2', and 'pingboost 3'). These may not work well (or at all) on some OS environments.
• Linux: Added "-debug" flag to hlds_run to automatically run gdb and pull out useful info.

New CVARS

• Added "serverversion", can be set to '1108' to view/re-record old demos.
• Added "sv_logbans" to turn the logging of player bans on and off. Default is 0 (off).

Bug Fixes

• Fixed mp_hostagepenalty not working.
• Fixed problem with server locking when the bomb is planted and a new player joins the server.
• Restored "mp_fadetoblack" server variable.
• Fixed incorrect WonID logging.
• Fixed sv_allowdownload being required to be set to 1 for clients to connect to secure servers.
• Fixed 'bad address type' fatal error on servers that attempt to run in secure mode but have no DNS resolution.
• Fixed DropClient messages for Steam clients who were banned or have a duplicate Steam ID to properly show the SteamID of the client.
• Fixed HLTV reporting wrong spectator numbers if connection to server was pending.
• Fixed "multicast 1" not working if it was issued before HLTV connected to game server.
• Fixed relay proxies reporting wrong spectator/slots numbers in multiplayer/LAN menu.
• Fixed rcon bug in HLTV.
• Fixed delay being reset to default value during changelevel.
• Fixed a problem with propagating HLTV banners.
• Fixed client freeze on exit.
• Fixed framerate problem on some ATI video cards.
• Fixed MaxPing filter not being saved correctly.
• Fixed sky box bug.
• Fixed bug using exec <filename> on large files (e.g. banned.cfg).
• Linux: Fixed server using 64 MB more memory than it needed to.
• Linux: Fixed 'undefined symbol: __strtouq_internal' on some Linux systems.
• Linux: Fixed segmentation fault on some Linux systems when attempting to run in secure mode.

Counter-Strike 1.6

Screenshot of CS 1.6.

September 12, 2003

Retail and server-side release

Starting with Counter-Strike 1.6, updates were only available through Steam and would be applied automatically.

The build was based on the retail version of the game (made up weapons names, altered faction names etc.), but the maps de_dust2, cs_estate, de_inferno, de_nuke and de_vertigo which were missing from the retail release were added. The Training map was also removed.

For Beta version of 1.6, see this Counter-Strike Wiki.

Changes/Additions

• Complete rework of launcher UI.
• Added widescreen monitor support (16:9 and 5:4).
• Added widescreen view modes for hardware that supports it.
• Added skins support to Steam (\platform\skins).
• Added in Steam monitoring tool. This will display Steam activity on your machine.
• Added new cvar "sv_region" to describe the region the server is in.
• Added "region" concept to server browser.
• Added range check for "gamma" cvar.
• Added support to choose voice codec quality.
• Engine supports masked and additive textures modes on models.
• "mp_logmessages" set to "on" by default.
• Added spam check to "timeleft" command.
• Windows HLDS now runs as a VGUI2 panel. Running with -console will run as a console window.
• Windows HLDS now loads sw.dll again, swds.dll is no longer needed.
• HLTV log files have time stamp in file name.
• Server browser can be refreshed using the F5 key.
• Added number of ban entries to "listid" response to aid in parsing.
• Removed command "dem_edit", use "hl.exe -demoedit" instead.
• Removed "cl_latency" cvar.
• Removed dependency on WON protocols.

Interface Changes

• Added zoom & health in HLTV.
• Reworked Buy Menus.
• Changed "Press duck for menu" message to HUD style message and made it last for 6 seconds.
• Planted bomb now flashes in Terrorist's radar.
• Changed so the bomb and hostages use T and upside-down T in the radar like players do (to indicate above/below the player).
• Changed so the bomb defuser gets three frags for successfully defusing the bomb.
• Changed so when bomb goes off, the player that planted the bomb gets three frags.
• Changed so live players don't see enemy deaths in the scoreboard.
• Changed default spectator mode to "chase_locked".
• Changed so semi-colons are removed from messagemode text and replaced with commas (prevents exploit).
• Changed scoreboard to display enemies who are dead on the opposite team.
• Added "BOT" to the scoreboard for players who are bots on the server.

Weapon Changes

• Added two new rifles, the IDF Defender and Clarion 5.56.
• Added a Riot Shield for the CTs.
• Increased Glock damage slightly.
• New Knife model.
• Made knife secondary attack do significantly more damage if hitting someone in the back.
• Bullet ricochet sounds redone.
• Explosion sounds redone.

Map Changes

• Added new map de_airstrip.
• New version of de_inferno.
• New version of de_aztec.
• New version of de_cbble.
• Updated version of de_piranesi.
  • Added decorative models all over the map.

New/Changed CVARS

• Changed default setting for "mp_logmessages" to 1
• Added server cvar "sv_lan_rate" which specifies the rate to use for all clients on a lan server, default is 20000.
• Added "sv_log_onefile" to determine whether one log file is created (total) or one log file for each map change, which is how it currently is. The default is the current behavior (one for each map change).

2003-2004 Steam Updates

After the release of version 1.6 on Steam, the game continued to receive big updates with gameplay changes up until the launch of Counter-Strike: Source.

September 25, 2003

Bug fixes

• Fixed shield drop weapon server crash
• Fixed shield exploit

October 10, 2003

Bug fixes

• Fixed shield not resetting player max speed when dropped
• Fixed being able to throw shield through walls if close enough
• Fixed dropping shield while reloading pistol causing the reload to happen faster
• Fixed case where shield could become invisible to other users
• Fixed typos in de_aztec and de_airstrip map descriptions

November 26, 2003

Changes/Additions

• Improved damage and accuracy of SG550 and G3SG1 sniper rifles
• Added small shadow underneath player
• Added autobuy and rebuy functionality to buy menus
• Added extra progress indicators for downloading & initializing VAC security modules
• Removed 'cmd dlfile' console command from being accessed directly from the console

Bug Fixes

• Fixed servers not being in world list if they specified a region on startup

December 10, 2003

Changes/Additions

• Optimized some of the particle drawing code
• For mod makers - debugging mods no longer requires the steam.dll to be copied into the game directory

Bug fixes

• Fixed problem in Direct3D mode where the game would be unavailable for some users. Direct3D mode should work now, but note that OpenGL will provide a better play experience if your video card is capable
• Fixed regression that was causing the 'load failed' crash to happen on level change
• Fixed shield exploit that involved dropping a weapon and buying a pistol in a specific order; you must restart your dedicated server to pick up this change

January 15, 2004

Changes/Additions

• The round timer is now disabled when the bomb is planted
• The winning defensive team now gets the same amount of money whether they win by round timeout or not ($3250 instead of $2000)
• Players on the offensive team who survive the round due to a round timeout no longer receive money the next round
• The Terrorists get an additional $800 per player if they plant the bomb but lose the round
• Fixed exploit where when a player died they could sometimes join the other team during the same round

Bug fixes

• Fixed bug where shield would be invisible if a player picked the shield up immediately after throwing a grenade
• Fixed custom decals not being downloaded from the server correctly
• Fixed custom decals drawing incorrectly for the host of a listen server after another player joins
• Fixed vgui textures being corrupted after going over a number of level changes
• Fixed problem where player would be sometimes be forced to look straight up after task switching in and out of game in fullscreen d3d mode
• Fixed problem in sound system where it wouldn’t properly be shutdown at the end of a .wav file
• Fixed banner picture not working correctly in HLTV
• Fixed error message that was cut off when a player was disconnected from a game server
• Changed the way that Asian fonts are displayed in game for compatibility on more platforms

February 9, 2004

Changes/Additions

• Increased hit damage for elite pistols (slightly)
• Decreased price for elite pistols to $800 [from $1000]
• Optimized entity lookup routines to reduce CPU load
• Cstrike spectator health fix (switching players sometimes left health display incorrect)
• Cstrike lastinv fix (lastinv works at start of round, after picking up items, etc)
• Cstrike corpse popping fix
• Cstrike FL_FAKECLIENT fix (3rd-party bots should work fine in cstrike once more)
• Other small CPU optimizations
• Stop motdfile from having "..", "\", "/" or ":" characters in its filename
• Added new command line option "-dll". Syntax is -dll [game_dll_to_load]

Bug fixes

• Fix XM1014 and M3 from making endless empty clip sounds when out of ammo
• Fixed shield bug where client could purchase multiple primary weapons
• Fixed file leak in ReadWaveFile() function
• Fix for updated files on the server not getting to the client when using compression
• Fixed extremely large rcon packets not being returned correctly

April 28, 2004

Changes/Additions

• AWP and Scout now have a small delay when firing, zooming, or reloading after switching to them from a different weapon or item
• Improved flashbangs (will not cancel out other flashbangs)
• Added a new headshot icon, showing which weapon was used to score the headshot
• Added a new rounded VGUI menus for the scoreboard, MOTD, team selection etc.
• Added solid radar option
  • Solid radar can be toggled on or off with the command cl_radartype
• Crosshairs have been scaled to maintain consistent size across all resolutions, with a slight increase in size depending on the resolution
• The zoom crosshairs for sniper rifles have been slightly adjusted
• Using nightvision now changes the crosshair to bold red
• Flashbang and Nightvision usage can be seen in spectator mode
• Improved game demo recording performance under Steam
• Updated German localized files

Map Changes

• Updated de_nuke
  • The map is now brighter
  • The outside box near the window is no longer destructible
  • Fixed the floating box exploit in the ramp room
• Updated de_cbble
  • The map is now brighter
  • Added boxes to the middle and Bombsite B
  • Added terrorist spawn points near the tower doorway
  • The vines are no longer climbable
  • Removed the bomb plant exploit at Bombsite B
  • Removed gap in the tower

May 3, 2004

Changes/Additions

• Scaled crosshair based on 1024 * 768
• Updated headshot icon
• Updated de_vertigo
  • Added WAD file
  • Fixed bugs introduced in the previous update that caused game crashes
• Updated HLTV with sv_downloadurl

June 14, 2004

Changes/Additions

• Added crosshair customization (color, size, opacity)
• Corpses fade out with cl_corpse_stay
• Improved player turning right hitbox behavior
• Improved brass ejection behavior
• hud_draw 0 doesn't remove blackout
• Scope blackout drawn in software mode
• Flashlight sound no longer masks weapon firing sounds
• Improved text behavior in top-right corner of observer mode
• Round timer doesn't re-appear until the round restarts when the bomb is defused or explodes
• Improved hitbox behavior

June 28, 2004

Changes/Additions

• Improved behavior of team_say
• Server prints team and player info in the console for chat messages
• Improved memory efficiency of hitbox animations to address intermittent server lag

July 22, 2004

Changes/Additions

• Improved behavior when a user changed their name to "spec_HELP_TEXT"
• Players are only blocked by the shield's hitbox
• Changing weapons but keeping the same animation index plays the new weapon's animation
• Improved how smoke grenades come to rest
• HE, smoke, and flashbang crosshairs are now the same size
• Improved FAMAS burst mode firing (matches the visuals)
• Improved closed shield behavior
• Improved hint message overwriting behavior
• Switching to the C4 or grenades no longer masks AWP firing sound
• Improved behavior of footstep sound when jumping to a different surface type
• Buying a primary while throwing a grenade no longer lets players have primary weapons + shields
• Improved sv_restart behavior (limit is increased to 60 seconds)
• Cycler_sprites are reset properly and show up on subsequent rounds (chickens)

July 24, 2004

Changes/Additions

• Improved shell ejection behavior causing errors

August 11, 2004

Changes/Additions

• Force spec_pip off if forcechase cam modes are set
• Improved lag compensation for the player with the last player slot (ie. player 10 on a 10 player server)
• Changed engine to respond to new server info query

For future patches, see this Steam Announcements, Counter-Strike Wiki.