Counter Strike Global Offensive Launches Operation Hydra

Valve has launched a massive limited time event update for their flagship shooter Counter Strike Global Offensive. Titled Operation Hydra, the update adds new game modes and content that are available to all players until September. (18 weeks total)

A $5.99 All Access Pass grants additional bonuses including an Operation Hydra Coin that can be displayed as an avatar, an Operation Hydra Journal that tracks your progress, and the 2 player co-op Guardian Campaign where players team up to earn Guardian XP towards Operation Stars and Operation Weapon Drops.

Valve has included an extensive update page including an FAQ that are worth reading, but to summarize the new game modes/features:

• Wingman - Quick 2v2 best of 16 matches on single bombsite maps.
• Weapon Expert - 5v5 best of 30 match with a twist. Once you buy a weapon, you can't buy it again for the rest of the match.
• Heavy Assault Suit - Casual bomb defusal rounds, but with a new armor suit available through the buy menu. Tank enemy fire with the Heavy Assault suit!
• Headshots Only - Deathmatch style gameplay, but only headshots count. Great way to practice your aim!
• Hunters-Gatherers - Every kill drops a dogtag, collect them as a team to score points.
• Stab Stab Zap - Play with only a knife and a special Zeus (taser) along with grenades.
• The Flying Scoutsman - Based on a classic fan favorite. Play in a low-g setting armed with Scouts and knives.
• Trigger Discipline - Take damage for every shot you miss. Aim carefully and bait opponents to take poor shots.
• Operation Maps - Play on 4 new and 3 returning community created maps: Shipped, Thrill, Agency, Black Gold, Insertion, Austria, and Lite

Counter Stirke Global Offensive has enjoyed enormous growth in the past few years. The game regularly hits 500,000+ concurrent players, placing it second only to Dota 2 on Steam. With its growing success, Valve has clearly shifted more resources towards CSGO. Fun updates like Operation Hydra and a stronger emphasis on the e-Sports scene mean the game will continue to grow and may even dethrone Dota 2 which has been on a decline for the past year.

Further Reading: Operation Hydra Page