Counter-Strike For Xbox?

After a subtle appearance at Microsoft's E3 2002 press conference, Counter-Strike for Xbox is still on the way to Microsoft's home videogame console. While Microsoft hasn't formally confirmed Counter-Strike's arrival on Xbox, enough information has suddenly and unexpectedly begun floating around the web just weeks before the 2003 Electronic Entertainment Expo to indicate that Valve's first person shooter is indeed on the way.

While a full fledged announcement at E3 is expected, along with the complete feature set, a bit of speculation on just what Counter-Strike will entail is in order. Keep in mind, that this speculation is based on rumor, hearsay and other less-than-official sources and that the truth is probably somewhere in the middle:

• Compatible with Xbox Live for team-based play and includes full support for the mod community using specially designed CS memory units.
• New proximity-based audio over the Xbox Live Communicator allows enemies, not just teammates, to hear transmissions when they're close enough.
• 22 single player levels spread across jungle, desert, arctic environments, plus one space station bonus level
• Context sensitive, third person perspective for special maneuvers like grenade tossing and bomb de-fusing.
• Seven dedicated multiplayer maps
• Arsenal includes melee weapons, pistols, assault rifles, explosives, and heavy machine guns specific to each terrorist or counter-terrorist organization.
• Simplified control system and level design to make game more accessible to console gamers.

These are the highlights of what to expect from Counter-Strike Xbox and there are surely plenty of additional details that will be revealed in the coming weeks. Bringing an online shooter to the system should help ease the pain of Halo 2's delay and so IGN will be bringing you as much info on Counter-Strike as is human possible from hustle and bustle of E3 next month. In the meantime enjoy these CS screens from European gaming site Newtechnix.

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