The CPL has announced the $100k Babbage's Tournament (in December) will have a $15,000 Counter-Strike tournament sponsored by Razer. Registration for the main event is required.

There are two shots of the new SIG SG-550 Sniper Rifle on the official Counter-Strike website that you might just want to check out ;) This weapon will be included in v1.0, that's right, finally coming out of beta.

The Windows version of Counter-Strike 7.1 has been released, available as a patch that upgrades 7.0 (4mb) or as a full download (70mb). Mirrors of the files can be found on the Counter-Strike downloads page. What's new?

- fixed de_vegas crashing
- tweaked burst fire accuracy system
- slightly improved vehicle code
- included missing skies (for cs_arabstreets, de_train)
- fixed mp_timelimit bug
- added APC to cs_siege
- new server variable, "mp_maxrounds X" {X = maximum number of rounds to be played on a map, if X = 0, then maps will rotate based on mp_timelimit}
- fixed crosshairs {They now expand regardless of lag}
- fixed player heights {Player's POV is now representative of the third person player model}
- fixed shotgun not showing up in VGUI menus in as_ maps for CTs
- included new death icon for headshots

Steve lets me know our CS 7.1 server is up also, so you can kill all those first post bitches again.

Ok it's going to be Counter-Strike update night again, as version 7.1 of the popular Half-Life mod is being released this evening. The Windows version will be out later tonight, but for the Linux server a patch and full download have been released already. And since we are so cool, we have 'em mirrored right here. If you're already running a 7.0 server you can get the upgrade here (5.2mb), but if you don't you can get the full here (61mb). This is from yesterday on what is new

We're in the process of testing 7.1, which will be a server and client side patch. The patch will include n0th1ng's cs_siege map with a driveable APC (or maybe a truck), a stabler de_vegas under linux, and a couple bug and cheat fixes. Gooseman has also snuck in some small changes and features that the community has been wanting for a while now.

It's been a while, but there's a new interview with Gooseman of the Counter-Strike team, this time on CheckOut.com. CheckOut's Chris Jensen asks about the retail version of the mod, which will be beta 8, what aspect of the HL engine has been hard to work with, Valve's help and a whole lot more.

Saw on Stomped that The Forge has an interview with Counter-Strike coder and modeller Gooseman.

The Counter-Strike website has been updated with word of a new windows .dll and linux .so to fix a timelimit problem. Thanks Stomped

Since a lot of people got in such a huge huff over this yesterday, (sending me 500 word essays etc) I thought it would be a good idea to show you guys this statement from the Counter-Strike website about selling the CS mod:

We want to make it very clear, however, that you will still be able to download Counter-Strike for free from our web site. This standalone version is only for those who don't want to buy Half-Life, and only want CS (at a slightly lower price). Once again, CS will continue to be free and downloaded from this web site.

So there, it will continue to be a free mod. Of course what happens when they port the mod to the next-gen Valve game we dont know. Hmmm. A lot of people are quick to remind me that this is the same website that flatly denied Counter-Strike was for sale.

If you thought Platinum was the only new (and last) version of Half-Life you would see..nope. Sierra and Valve have also announced Half-Life: Counter-Strike (which showed up on EBWorld back in July). HLCS will feature "all of Valve's multiplayer content, three of the top MODs for Half-Life, and the #1 played online action game*, Counter-Strike". All of Valve's multiplayer content means Half-Life multiplayer, Team Fortress Classic, and Half-Life: Opposing Force multiplayer.

Yes, the Win32 version of Counter-Strike has just been released. Like pretty much always the website is dead, but we have mirrored the files. You can get the 6.6 -> 7.0 upgrade here (31mb) and the full version here (69mb). More mirrors are on the CS Download page. Again these are the changes

- added dual Berettas
- added redone Knife Model (added a secondary attack mode for knife)
- fully implemented VGUI
- added new player model (Seal Team 6)
- added several new player animations
- fixed locked chasecam
- gave VIP a USP
- added cs_office, as_highrise, cs_arabstreets, de_foption & de_vegas
- fixed many bugs & exploits
- added driveable vehicle support
- added driveable vehicle test map de_jeepathon2000

As I mentioned in my update yesterday, Beta 7 of Counter-Strike will be released today. Of course we'll have a mirror when it is released. What's new? From CS-Nation

This version includes new arm models, a new knife, one driveable vehicle test map, dual berettas, some new maps, new player animations, various bug fixes, and much more

CS-Nation also mentions a bug in the Linux server release from last night. There's a bug in the map de_vegas that crashes the server. If you run a Linux server, remove the map from your map cycle.
As for the release time of the new beta, that is not known yet.

The official Counter-Strike website has been updated with screenshots from beta7. Four of them are from a prototype level that shows the driveable vehicle support, pretty nifty.

Version 6.8 of Counter-Strike for servers has been released, fixing a bug that restarts rounds.

The Counter-Strike website has been updated with two new screenshots from beta7 of the Half-Life mod. Thanks D00d 32x. One shows the new knife in the game, the other shot is of the vgui.

The Counter-Strike website has been updated with a screenshot of the new knife model that will be making it's way in the next beta.

A follow-up to the story earlier today about TFC going stand-alone and the speculation I had posted about Counter-Strike doing the same thing given that 'goof up' on EB the other day. I just got official word from the Counter-Strike team and Valve Software that this is not the case. In fact here's what cliffe said exactly:

...the EBworld thing is indeed a goofup and very false.

Of course, I wouldnt blame them if they did. It's amazing the level of quality Counter-Strike delivers completely free. Better than 99% of the games out there that people pay for.

A few people had sent in a word that they saw a $19.99 price on Half-Life: Counter-Stirke on the EB website for sale. It looks like it was just some confusion though as it was just the mission pack mislabeled, no worries kids.

The official Counter-Strike site has been updated with a couple of screenshots from the new Seal Team 6 model, which will be included in beta 7.

The Counter-Strike has been updated with the release of 6.6B, which fixes a "say" exploit. This is a server side release only, clients dont need the files. There's also a screenshot of the hand model which has been redone. Thanks Orthox.

The Counter-Strike website has been updated with two screenshots of the dual Berettas which will be making their way into beta 7. Thanks Ryan Stotts.