The rumors were sort of true, as those CS pro-gamers invited to Valve headquarters revealed details on the new Counter-Strike.

Titled “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive“, the game is developed by Hidden Path Entertainment (with guidance from Valve). To be honest, Valve have stated that this isn’t the Counter-Strike 2 sequel that everyone was expecting, but more of an upgrade to the previous Counter-Strike games (1.6/Condition Zero/Source). With better visuals and more involvement with eSports, it’s basically the same CS that everyone knows and loves, but updated for the modern age. And with that upgrade, the game is coming our for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, with Valve hinting cross platform multiplayer (still a rumor, but Valve has done well with Steam integration and cross platform multiplayer with Portal 2 for the PS3)

Valve, and the pro-gamers that they invited, have officially reveled that while the core game is still the same (no new game modes or maps are being added), the title will finally cater to eSports, more than what CS has done in the past. Online matchmaking that takes into consideration if you are casual or pro, and much better dedicated servers for competition are the standout features that are popular with today’s pro-gaming, all being considered for CS:GO. Apart from that, the game looks better, since it’s running on the newer updated Source Engine (the one that powers Portal 2 and Left 4 Dead 2).

Along with the engine change, the pro-gamers involved revealed that there was something different with the new CS:

“It didn’t feel like 1.6 and despite being built on the Source engine, it didn’t feel like CSS. By design, Valve wanted to create a game with a different feel, and overall it was really smooth. The pro players seemed surprisingly happy with the player player movement and feel of the game but thankfully they weren’t short of feedback and most weren’t shy to share it. Tweaks and adjustments are needed, but in my opinion, it was a great sign that it didn’t grossly offend anyone.”

Of course there were criticisms, but being that the game is in Pre-Beta, Valve are working to get everything balanced before they let the world try out the game, since Valve is planning a closed, invite-only beta test for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive in the coming months. Although people who attend Penny Arcade Expo Prime (August 26-28, 2011) and the Eurogamer Expo (September 22-25, 2011) will have a chance to go hands on with the game.

For more info, check out ESEA‘s detailed write-up [HERE].