CZ: June?

[CSN NewsBot]

GameSpy has a bit of a generic Counter-Strike: Condition Zero preview up from E3. In it, Counter-Strike's new bots are mentioned.

[...] VALVe sought out the services of Mike Booth (whose credits include Nox, C&C: Yuri's Revenge and C&C: Generals) to add bot support to Condition Zero. After spending about a half-hour watching the bots in action, they're pretty impressive. They may not be exactly like playing against humans, but they're some of the best teamplay bots I've seen to date (going back to the days of Quake 2).



At the start of a level, the bots are able to "learn" a map by running around a bit, but most of the most popular Counter-Strike maps (like Dust) will ship "learned" in Condition Zero. Booth has worked hard to get the bots to simulate human behavior: the bots don't cheat by seeing through walls or shooting with 100% accuracy, and have their own personalities and tendencies.

Read the full preview and ignore the old screens. The most interesting bit is that the new "release date" for Condition Zero is June (next month). I think we might actually be in for a shock and the game will actually be released, since it looks pretty much done.

[hellbent|whore|]

wow thats soon.

[Nyssa]

"Availability: This item will be released on October 1, 2003. You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives."



I preordered CZ back in Janurary, it was "supposed" to be released may 10th or so. They're posting a oct 1 release now... wish cz would get out soon

[MikeJ]

that site is just guessing and or not updated i would imagine. gamespy has the latest information.

[Lestat]

It makes sense, considering I would imagine not as many people would buy it if it was released after HL2. CS2 might not be out then, but people will not want to pay for an old engine game when the next gen is already out.

[orphy]

Score. And christ on a cracker, June is next month. Time flies I guess.

[Lestat]

Yeah. What is scary though, is that I am looking more forward to the new harry potter book that I am cz... and thats not much. : P

[cheetarah654]

harry potter...



anyway, thats amazon info i assume. thats just the last thing they heard which was awhile ago, dont think they check CS sites for the latest release dates :P



and omg i JUST last night got the pun in Saturday "Ketchup" which i dearly miss

[alfuh]

i think it was sunday ketchup

[Serious Sam]

Are these the same bots that valve or sierra will be using for half life 2? I've seen the hl2 bot teamwork vids and they've been pretty sweet.

[Lexx]

lol i preordered CZ march of 2002. i found it while sifting through amazon.com customer history stuff, looks like i dont have to re-pre-order it

[MikeJ]

Serious Sam wrote..

Are these the same bots that valve or sierra will be using for half life 2? I've seen the hl2 bot teamwork vids and they've been pretty sweet.

nah they aren't. the HL2 bots take advantage of all the HL2 engine features and are pretty amazing

[RaptorRage]

Interesting how they didn't mention that Rogue was the original developer before Gearbox...

[MikeJ]

and with good reason!

[bozer]

My guess is CZ will be considered a major dissapointment to the veterans of CS, while newcomers will like it cuz it gives them an easier chance to learn the game.



Which is why HL2 will then be released in September or so, to save the day for Valve who will be getting flamed non stop cuz of crappy CZ. Valve can just blame Ritual for screwing it up, and all will be forgotten once HL2 comes out anyway.



I could be wrong but its just my prediction.



Guess we'll have to wait and see.