CS-Nation

Covering the future of Counter-Strike
jess cliffe
interview: jess cliffe
On November 5-6th, Microsoft hosted a Counter-Strike for Xbox fanstock event. CS-Nation was there. An article about the event is forthcoming, but first we'd like to present you with an interview conducted with Jess Cliffe, co-creator of Counter-Strike and now a producer at VALVe Software.

CS-Nation's asspennies: Why the Xbox and not other consoles? What was it about the Xbox that attracted you?
Jess Cliffe of VALVe Software: Definitely Xbox Live. When Microsoft announced Xbox Live we were kind of nudging each other saying this was our time to finally get it out on a console. We wanted to do it for a while but we really needed that online component. The match between Counter-Strike and Xbox Live is pretty perfect. It was a no-brainer.
CS-Nation: Xbox Live is broadband only. For the most part, people who have a broadband connections also have PCs, and most of the PCs out there are able to play CS on the PC. What's there on the Xbox version to entice people who play it on the PC to switch over, or to bring in new people who haven't played it on the PC?
Cliffe: Well, I know a lot of people who have a high end PC, have broadband, but are console gamers. I wouldn't say it's mutually exclusive. It's all about game style and controller style. Some people will use the internet, visit C-Net, and hop on their Xbox. It's just personal preference with the game selection, PC versus console, etc.
CS-Nation: Do you anticipate any switchers? People switching from the PC to the Console, and vice versa?
Cliffe: It could happen, I don't see why not. Like I said, it's about preference, some people will like the controller better than the keyboard and mouse, or sitting on the couch instead of upright and next to the screen. I love our setup with multiple consoles and couches, and I can't imagine a similar setup with PCs being as accessible.
CS-Nation: Counter-Strike has been in a constantly evolving state on the PC. Has Counter-Strike reached its ultimate maturation point, and if not, can you do the same sort of updating on the Xbox that you do on the PC?
Cliffe: Yeah, I do think it has reached its maturity level, where we've been tweaking and experimenting and testing things out for years. We have the core gameplay down that we know we want. What we can do now is just add layers of content, with maps, models, weapons, etc. It's a great balance, I think.
CS-Nation: Speaking of maps and levels, one of the attractions for the PC version is that users can make and play their own maps, and you have hundreds of other maps to choose from. Will there be player-created maps for the Xbox?
Cliffe: Answer to that is maybe. Microsoft hasn't announced plans for modable content per se, but we were talking about a mapping contest as an interesting possibility. We'd like to tap the PC mapping community but deliver it on the Xbox. There are so many talented mappers out there. So many of the guys I work with at VALVe are really talented mappers plucked from the community. That's an interesting prospect that we might explore.
CS-Nation: So there may be tools released to the community to allow them to build maps for the Xbox?
Cliffe: The tools are already there, basically. If you have Hammer and you make a map, it's trivial to throw it in for the Xbox. The changes for upgraded graphical content and the like are pretty minimal.

Jess Cliffe looks on as asspennies holds down bombsite A in the re-designed dust2.
CS-Nation: Counter-Strike is a different kind of game than other console gamers have experienced. PC users are used to the unique sense of balance, and the idea of dying and being forced to spectate till the end of the round. Are you concerned that console users may have a difficult time adjusting to that new style of gameplay?
Cliffe: I don't think we are concerned, because when we first released for the PC, we had that same issue. Back then there weren't that many games out there with that same sort of "punishing" system where it makes the player value their game life and value every bullet. It's just a different way of thinking in terms of gameplay, and I think people will find it pretty cool.
CS-Nation: When you're playing on a PC, you're right in front of a screen, hands on a keyboard and a mouse. When you're playing on a console, you're a few feet from the TV, sitting on a couch, using your thumbs to control. What sort of adjustments or adaptations did you make on the Xbox version to adapt to that play style?
Cliffe: Well, there is a bullet assist feature, to help the player a bit with their precision.
CS-Nation: It seems a lot less dramatic than, say, Halo's bullet assist.
Cliffe: Oh yeah, definitely. You still have to be a skilled player and be proficient in using your arsenal.