Valve announces Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Valve has officially announced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

The game is targeted for release via Playstation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and Steam in early 2012 and will expand upon the team-based action gameplay which was launched exactly 12 years ago.

Global Offensive features new maps, characters, and weapons with updated versions of the classic CS content in addition to new gameplay modes, matchmaking, leader boards, and more.

"Counter-Strike took the gaming industry by surprise when the unlikely MOD became the most played online PC action game in the world almost immediately after its release in August 1999," said Doug Lombardi, VP of marketing at Valve.

"For the past 12 years, it has continued to be one of the most-played games in the world, headline competitive gaming tournaments and selling over 25 million units worldwide across the franchise. CS: GO promises to expand on CS' award-winning gameplay and deliver it to gamers on the PC as well as the next gen consoles and the Mac."

CS: GO is being developed by Valve in cooperation with Seattle-based Hidden Path Entertainment.

The games was rumored earlier today thanks to comments from play testers and eSports figures via an ESEA forums post.

The title is targeted for release in early 2012 and will be playable at this year's PAX Prime and Eurogamer Expo 2011.

Visit the game's Steam page here.