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Overview


Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Deleted Scenes (CS:CZ DS) is a bonus game, originally developed by Ritual Entertainment, included with Counter-Strike: Condition Zero making up a series of eighteen unconnected single-player missions which were cut from the main game.

Development

After development of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero was handed over to Turtle Rock Studios and their new iteration of the game was announced, it was initially believed that the work previously done by Ritual Entertainment would be scrapped.[1] Shortly after the announcement that Turtle Rock had taken over, it was announced that work done by Ritual wouldn't be scrapped completely, but that the 12 best of the 18 finished missions would be released separately with the title Deleted Scenes to allow players to experience a different approach for the single-player design.[2][3] While Ritual Entertainment and many fans were delighted to hear that the work of Ritual would in fact be released, Ritual Entertainment was not particularly happy with the decision to name their work Deleted Scenes.[4]

When Ritual Entertainment was finished with their contribution toward the Condition Zero project, they had already mostly finished the missions, though they were never given the chance to properly polish them.[5] This meant that Valve Software had to carry out the final polishing (mainly fool proofing of mission sequences) of the missions.[6] Valve also made some changes to the interface, including changing the main menu background to a blueish color and redoing the world map. There were also plans to add support for the newly added detail textures to the game,[7] but for unknown reasons this was dropped. Deleted Scenes was eventually released on March 23, 2004 as part of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero.

On June 17, 2004 Jess Cliffe announced that the six missions that had been removed from the original release would get added to the game in future updates.[8] Eventually, the three first extra missions would get released on June 28, 2004 and the three remaining on July 14, 2004. During the editing of Pipe Dream, Valve decided to cut the final part of the mission instead of editing it to make it fool proof.[6]

Support for Linux and Mac OS X was added on September 2, 2013.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Deleted Scenes is very different to that of a traditional Counter-Strike multiplayer game and has more similarities to the gameplay of e.g. Half-Life. This is a linear shooter where missions have to be completed in a set sequence. Also, the story of the maps is told in forms of cut scenes that occur at the start or the end of the mission. Additional scripted sequences that occur mid-mission provided further narrative.

Thinice harrier engaging

Harrier engaging the player, serving as the boss fight in Thin Ice

Most missions consist of several maps that the player will have to play through in order to finish the mission. There are occasional puzzles which may involve breaking an obstacle or finding a way around an obstacle. Often of these puzzles involve the use of the new mission specific equipment. Some of the missions also climax in the form of a boss fight, which may involve destroying or defending some form of an aircraft or vehicle.

In this game there is no concept of money. Instead the player starts missions with specific weapons and equipment. Additional weapons and ammunition may be found from the maps themselves. Unlike many traditional linear shooters, defeated enemies do not drop ammunition or weapons. There are also both health and Kevlar restoration options available in Deleted Scenes. Moreover, the power of players' Kevlar armor is boosted, protecting them from projectiles and bullets better.

While allied NPCs are occasionally present, most of the game is played as a lone wolf in their absence, and their effectiveness, in general is quite limited in actiion.

Missions

Valve Software cut down the original 18 mission story line to a shorter 12 mission sequence. Each mission has to be completed sequentially as completing one missions unlocks the next mission. The training mission is an exception to this; it can be started either via the world map or the new game window and completing it isn't necessary to unlock further missions.

When the 6 extra missions were released through updates, they were not made part of the mission sequence. These missions are unlocked by default and can be started from the world map.

List of missions

Map name Organization Designer Release date No.
Alamo SEAL Team 6 Richard Gray Initial release 11
Building Recon SAS Russell Meakim Initial release 04
Counter Terrorist Training SEAL Team 6 Reid Kimball, Tom Mustaine Initial release -
Downed Pilot GSG-9 Thearrel McKinney Jr. Initial release 08
DrugLab SEAL Team 6 Thearrel McKinney Jr. Initial release 05
Fastline Kidotai Luke Whiteside July 14, 2004 Extra
Hankagai Kidotai Todd Rose Initial release 09
Lost Cause GSG-9 Luke Whiteside Initial release 02
Miami Heat SEAL Team 6 Thearrel McKinney Jr. June 28, 2004 Extra
Motorcade Assault GSG-9 Chris Voss Initial release 06
Pipe Dream Spetsnaz Mike Porter July 14, 2004 Extra
Recoil SEAL Team 6 Luke Whiteside Initial release 01
Rise Hard SAS Russell Meakim Initial release 12
Run! Kidotai Todd Rose June 28, 2004 Extra
Sandstorm SAS Richard Gray July 14, 2004 Extra
Secret War Spetsnaz Russell Meakim Initial release 03
Thin Ice Spetsnaz Russell Meakim Initial release 07
Truth in Chaos Kidotai Todd Rose June 28, 2004 Extra
Turn of the Crank SWAT Richard Gray Initial release 10

Weapons and equipment

Several weapons that originated from earlier iterations of Condition Zero appear in Deleted Scenes, including the M72 LAW Light Anti-Armor Weapon, and the M60. Some are limited to the AI terrorists, such as the machete and Rogue Entertainment's controversial suicide belt. The game also introduces new mission specific equipment including the blowtorch, radio, fiber optic camera and RC bombs.

In addition to exclusive new weapons, all weapons from the original Counter-Strike also make an appearance. Some weapons were completely reanimated. This includes the Maverick M4A1 Carbine, Clarion 5.56 and IDF Defender. On the other hand, the Krieg 552 uses earlier animations.

Some weapons have a quite different look compared to the original weapons in Counter-Strike, such as the Magnum Sniper Rifle which is now brown instead of green, and the Bullpup and the M4A1 which are now two-tone police black instead of their usual colors.

There are also alterations made to the damage and recoil of some weapons to provide better balance for the single-player game. Also, players can also carry up to three HE grenades instead of the usual one, and players can carry several primary weapons as well as secondary weapons.

List of new weapons

Blowtorch
Type: Mission equipment
W btorch
The blowtorch is a special piece of equipment which can be used to break locks which hinder the progress of the player. It can only be used in specific blowtorch zones.
Briefcase
Type: Mission equipment
W briefcase closed
The briefcase is a special piece of equipment which is designed to send a radio signal when opened, altering of eventual distress. Inside the briefcase is what appears to be regular money to avoid raising suspicion. It can only be used in specific briefcase zones.
Fiber Optic Camera
Type: Mission equipment
W foc
The fiber optic camera is a special piece of equipment that can be used to monitor enemy movement without the risk of being spotted. It can only be used in specific fiber optic camera zones.
General MG 60
Type: Machine gun
W m60
The M60 machine gun was likely inherited from Gearbox Software's design of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero. It does higher damage than the M249, but it also has higher recoil.
LAW Rocket
Type: Grenade
W law closed
The M72 LAW was likely inherited from Gearbox Software's design of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero. It is a single shot weapon, and it will automatically be disposed of after being fired. Before the weapon can be fired, a quite long deploying process takes place.
Radio
Type: Mission equipment
W radio ds
The radio is a special piece of equipment that is used to contact squad members in order to provide valuable intelligence. It can only be used in specific radio zones.
Radio Controlled Bomb
Type: Mission equipment
W rcbomb
The radio controlled bomb is a special piece of equipment that is used to destroy specific targets in a mission. These may include barricades which prevent further progress or objects which are the target of a mission. It can only be used in specific radio controlled bomb zones.
Satellite Enabled Digital Camera
Type: Mission equipment
W camera
The camera is a special piece of equipment that is used to take photos of mission critical targets. Since the camera is satellite enabled, pictures taken will be automatically sent to headquarters. It can only be used in specific camera zones.
Tactical Shield
Type: Equipment
W shield ds
The Tactical Shield is a defensive piece of equipment that was inherited from Gearbox Software's design of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero. It is technically not a new piece of equipment, but unlike its multiplayer counterpart it is limited to be used only in conjunction with the ES Five-Seven and only reduces the damage taken by enemy instead of becoming invulnerable from front attacks in Deleted Scenes.

Factions and character models

The game features a total of 7 Counter-Terrorist factions, with the new factions being the Kidotai and the SWAT. All the old Terrorist factions make a return and the Akunin is included as a sixth faction.

There is also more variation to the faction models than in a regular Counter-Strike multiplayer game, as each model has different head variants available. Also, for each faction there are also environment appropriate camouflage uniforms available.

Variation to the models was also brought in the form of the hostage models. In missions which have objectives similar to the traditional hostage rescue multiplayer game mode, hostages have very different looks. These include scientists, women, schoolgirls and wounded SEAL Team 6 operatives.

List of factions

Despite the inclusion of the old Terrorist factions, many of them have a completely different backstory/origin (for example the Arctic Avengers are Russian instead of Swedish); Their origin in this game is also indicated in the list below.

Within the game files, unused sound definitions and sound files for German and French-speaking Terrorists also exist.[9]

Name Side Spoken language
Akunin Terrorists Japanese
Arctic Avengers Terrorists Russian
Elite Crew Terrorists Arabic
French & German Terrorists Terrorists French and German
GIGN Counter-Terrorists French
GSG-9 Counter-Terrorists German
Guerilla Warfare Terrorists Spanish (American)
Kidotai Counter-Terrorists Japanese
Midwest Militia Terrorists English (American)
Phoenix Connexion Terrorists Russian
SAS Counter-Terrorists English (British)
SEAL Team 6 Counter-Terrorists English (American)
Spetsnaz Counter-Terrorists Russian
SWAT Counter-Terrorists English (American)

Music and sound effects

Ritual Entertainment employee Zak Belica was responsible for the new music and sound effects in Deleted Scenes. Each mission has several music tracks that will play in different parts of the map. In addition, all sound effects from the original Counter-Strike were enhanced to 16 bit sound quality.[10][11]

Interface

CSCZ DS world map

Redesigned world map

The background seen in the final version of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero was originally designed to be used in the version of the game designed by Ritual Entertainment. However, since it had already been used some uniqueness was brought to the menu look by changing the background color from the yellowish color to a blueish color. Also, the subtitle Deleted Scenes was added to the background.

The world map was also changed to a grayish theme, most likely to be more consistent with the style of menu used in the Tour of Duty single-player mode. It would seem that this new world map was done in a haste, as several missions are located in the wrong place on the map. Also due to the way the world map is designed, it will only function correctly when using resolutions with a 4:3 aspect ratio, such as 800x600 or 1280x960.[12]

Technology

Deleted Scenes contains some engine features that are unique to this game which affect the visual quality of the game and level design possibilities.

Material system

This game uses a material system, which allows material specific debris/gibs to be defined. For example, shooting a wall made out of concrete will cause different debris to spawn compared to when shooting a wall made out of brick. The material system functions by utilizing map-based text files that define a material type for each texture. Each material type is also a separate text file.

Mapping, modding and editing tools

Deleted Scenes features some new mapping capabilities, including a scripted sequence system, which were introduced to facilitate the creation of the more complex missions featured in the game. While Ritual Entertainment had plans to release their custom editor for the game back when they were in charge of development,[13] this editor was never released.

Thus, no official documentation or tools were ever released for the creation of custom missions for this game. Therefore, some fans took it upon themselves to enable support for the game in Valve Hammer Editor.[14] Following this, a few custom missions have been created for the game.

Easter eggs

The game includes a hidden skill level which can only be activated by typing skill 0 into the console. It is the most difficult of skill levels and the damage formula was supposed to resemble that of multiplayer games.[15]

Trivia

  • At the ending credits, a Delta Force Sniper soldier rides a Scud missile, clearly alluding to Dr. Strangelove.
  • Deleted Scenes doesn't feature any player models. Using the console command thirdperson reveals a completely invisible character. In previous games by Valve Software, using the the same command would have allowed the player to see the character's actual model (e.g. Gordon Freeman in Half-Life or a GIGN operative in Counter-Strike).
  • Since Sniper was cut, the GIGN faction became the only Counter-Terrorist faction not to be used as a main faction.
  • Most armed enemy NPCs can perform melee attacks to hit you up close except for M60 users.
  • The ending credits music consists of many soundtracks: When the player meets the Drug Lord Moses Sepulveda, the ground assault music from Rise Hard, the Alamo intro music, and an unknown soundtrack.
  • Besides pre-capture and post-capture missions (Downed Pilot and Rise Hard), Secret War, Building Recon, and Truth in Chaos are the only three missions where the player can discover the same weapon multiple times. However, dupes of the same weapon merely add ammo, which means they can only be retrieved if the player's reserve ammo isn't full.
  • If player has the HD-texture pack in Half-Life and in Deleted Scenes he turns on the point "Enable HD models if available" in Settings-Video, in-game will appear a HD-texture of ammo for XM1014 and M3, but kinda pixelized. Works only in Steam-version.

References

  1. Ritualistic Forums - HAHA [censored] up everything ValvE
  2. CS-Nation - articles - condition zero: hands-on. Archived from the original on 2003-10-30.
  3. IGN - PC Games: Condition Zero Interview. Archived from the original on 2004-12-11.
  4. Ritualistic Forums - CSNation previews the new CZ
  5. Ritualistic Forums - Ritual's Condition Zero (DS) A.I.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Ritualistic Forums - What happened to the bomb in Pipe Dream?
  7. Half.Life.Including.Condition.Zero.READ.NFO-ANON - Presence of several detail texture files including cstrike_trs/maps/cz_alamo00_detail.txt and cstrike_trs/maps/cz_druglab00_detail.txt
  8. Steam Users Forums - ds updates... are there any?. Archived from the original on 2004-06-30.
  9. czeror/sound/sentences.txt - Definitions under "Terrorists -- German" and "Terrorists --French"
  10. Ritualistic Forums - Ritual Audio Effects
  11. GameSpy.com - Preview - Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (PC). Archived from the original on 2002-12-21.
  12. GitHub · ValveSoftware/halflife · Issue #1398 · [CZ:DS] World Map Display Issues
  13. Shacknews Article - Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (Ritual Entertainment). Archived from the original on 2003-01-27.
  14. Urban Ruins - Welcome. Archived from the original on 2008-03-12.
  15. Ritualistic Forums - Single-player enemy hp?

External links

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