'Counter-Strike: Global Offensive' Latest News: Valve Overhauls Iconic 'Dust 2' Map
The "Dust" maps on the "Counter-Strike" series has become an inseparable part of the franchise — so much that Valve has invested the time and effort to update the iconic "Dust 2" map for "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive."
The result has been striking, to say the least. The spaces are lighter and more readable, and movement looks to have been improved as well, just like the team behind "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" set out to do with their map update goals.
The new map is now up and playable on the Beta branch of "CS:GO", which players can get into via Steam. This early look at the new "Dust 2" map will immediately strike players with the overhauled textures that have replaced the ochre and brown of the classic map.
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The mechanics and fast gameplay on the map remain largely the same. "We set out to refine it further rather than performing a wholesale redesign," Valve said, as quoted by Polygon.
Early reviews have noted how the new design has done away with the dark spots where players could camp in wait. The crates and other cover spots have been redesigned as well, with most of them now covered in white sheeting that tends to highlight the players hiding behind them.
Overall, sightlines have been cleaned up a bit, and the tunnels are now better lit, letting the new "Dust 2" encourage even quicker blitzes on what was already a fast map, as Kotaku notes.
Valve has temporarily taken "Dust 2" out of rotation in favor of the slower "Inferno" map, as they set out to work on the overhaul earlier this year. This new version adds a visual overhaul, with quadruple the texture detail, while also promising to improve overall balance and readability of the map.
The team behind "CS:GO" is now gathering beta feedback on the new map, as the new "Dust 2" map gets some play on the game's beta servers.
