Oswald Rant: Blinded By Counter-Strike

After checking PlanetQuake for the latest news last night, I ran across a news article posted by Spyke titled, Is Counter-Strike Killing The Community? authored by Merlin who wonders, “if the mod community can go back to the days of Quake and Quake 2, when many different mods had their own piece of the scene.” But thanks to the success and popularity of Counter-Strike all the other mods seem to be left, “holding the bomb” as the timer flashes 00:00.

I tend to agree with some of the observations and comments which Merlin wrote, but that leaves me begging someone to answer the question: “Who is to blame for this mod community SNAFU?” The mod developer? The software company? The distributor? No, the reason we are seeing Counter-Strike as the big, bad bully is because of the narrow mindedness of gamers who are looking outside the box through a pair of rose colored glasses. While they continue to go crazy for Counter-Strike, many realism mods are looking to create a name for themselves, some have fresh, new ideas and engines which look impressive, while some are lacking what has made Counter-Strike so popular. Compare it to an old, ex-girlfriend, you know she is always there for you and will give it up, but it’s the extra baggage that comes with her you can’t stand.

It is the gamers’ fault because every new mod that is released as a beta is either, “a Counter-Strike clone” or “not as good as Counter-Strike.” Uh, back this APC up for a moment. Wasn’t Counter-Strike hurting for players back during its early development? Face it, Action Quake 2 was where the real action was at. As Counter-Strike developed and improved upon what Action Quake 2 was, gamers began to jump ship and make their move, as they found their new action. Counter-Strike. The rest is history. But the story does not stop there.

By far, Counter-Strike is still the highest played online game, but it is beginning to feel dated. Why not look to the community for a fresh, new spin on realism. Ahhh…I can already hear the CS Community saying, “You $#%!@ name me a better realism mod?” I have already acknowledged the fact that Counter-Strike is one of the best mods of all-time. What I am saying is expand your horizons. Both the Unreal Tournament and Quake III engine offers some great looking and playing mods based on realism, why not give them a chance. That Counter-Strike clone could actually have potential. Ease into a new mod like you made the transition from Action Quake 2 to Counter-Strike. Enter a new community, while the mod is in early development and help to make that mod successful.

Instead of trying to change, gamers will continue to support their beloved Counter-Strike. Remember even Counter-Strike began and a lowly Beta 1 at one time, when gamers would echo, “this mod sucks” or “OMFG, they are trying to make another Action using the Half-Life engine.” All mods begin small, some with potential, others with potentially nothing. If gamers continue to ignore up and coming mods, who will be there to support future endeavors of young mod teams who really do have something to offer the community?