Valve launching new ‘Counter-Strike’ title in 2012

Valve has officially announced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, for PCs, Macs, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in early 2012.

The tactical-based shooter will come with new maps, characters, weapons and game modes, as well as updated content from earlier versions of the game.

Back in 1999, Counter-Strike began its life as a Half-Life mod that became so popular that Valve was able to evolve into a full retail release.

Valve will develop the game along with Hidden Path Entertainment, best known for Counter-Strike Source and Defense Grid: Awakening.

“Counter-Strike took the gaming industry by surprise when the unlikely MOD became the most played online PC action game in the world almost immediately after its release in August 1999,” said Valve’s Doug Lombardi. “For the past 12 years, it has continued to be one of the most-played games in the world, headline competitive gaming tournaments and selling over 25 million units worldwide across the franchise. CS: GO promises to expand on CS’ award-winning gameplay and deliver it to gamers on the PC as well as the next gen consoles and the Mac.”

Valve plans to bring a playable version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to this year’s PAX Prime at the end of August and the Eurogamer Expo in September.