Vertigo, a map in Counter-Strike, is set on a skyscraper under construction. It places the Counter-Terrorist (CT) and Terrorist (T) teams in a high-stakes battle where the CTs must prevent the Ts from planting and detonating a bomb. Over the years, Vertigo has undergone numerous updates and transformations, significantly impacting its gameplay dynamics. Understanding the history of Vertigo's updates provides insight into its evolving strategies and the gameplay experience it offers to players and fans alike.

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Vertigo's Original Design and Gameplay

When Vertigo was first introduced, it featured a unique two-floor design. The CT spawn was located on the upper floor, while the T spawn was on the lower floor, specifically in the stairwell. The primary objective for the Terrorists was to plant the bomb on one of the upper floor's bomb sites. The CTs were tasked with thwarting this plan by either eliminating the opposing team or defusing the bomb if it was planted.

The map’s original layout was distinctive, with both bomb sites and the CT spawn situated on the upper floor. This setup required players to navigate through narrow pathways and use strategic movements to gain control of key areas. The Terrorist team’s challenge was to ascend from their spawn in the stairwell to the bombsites, while the CTs needed to secure these critical points to prevent the bomb plant.

Major Revamp of Vertigo

The major revamp of Vertigo brought extensive changes to its design, enhancing its visual and structural elements. The overhaul included updates to textures and overall map structure, significantly improving its realism. The background now featured more realistic buildings, contributing to a more immersive experience.

One of the most notable changes was the removal of the roofs over the bomb sites. This alteration opened up new strategic possibilities, allowing players to use different vantage points and angles to their advantage. The addition of new props throughout the map added to its complexity, offering more cover and tactical options.

The height of the walls was reduced in various areas, enabling players to jump onto certain props and surprise their opponents. This change increased the verticality of the gameplay, making it more dynamic and unpredictable. The middle hallways and pathways connecting the bombsites, the stairwell, and the ramp were also significantly reworked, enhancing the flow and balance of the map.

Additionally, a unique feature was introduced where if the C4 explosive was dropped outside the building or into elevator shafts, map triggers would return the dropped C4 back to the playable area. This ensured that the game’s flow was not interrupted by the bomb being inaccessible, maintaining the intensity of the match.

Removal from Game Files

On November 13, 2017, Vertigo was removed from the game files, rendering it inaccessible to players. The primary reason cited for this removal was the map's low popularity among the player base. It had become one of the lesser-played maps, prompting the developers to take it out of rotation. However, in a post on the CS

Blog, the developers hinted that removed maps, including Vertigo, could be reworked and potentially reintroduced in the future. This sparked speculation and anticipation among the community about what changes might be in store for Vertigo.

Reintroduction and Initial Changes

Vertigo made a surprising return on January 24, 2019, re-entering the game with significant changes. Initially reintroduced for play in Wingman mode alongside Zoo and Abbey, the map featured an accessible Bombsite B while the rest of the map remained noted for having undergone changes as well. This reintroduction was a testing ground to gauge player response to the revamped layout.

A significant update on March 7, 2019, saw the gameplay area shift to only include Bombsite A, further refining the map's dynamics. These iterative changes allowed the developers to tweak the map based on player feedback and data, ensuring that the reintroduction of Vertigo would be met with positive reception.

The most substantial update came on March 19, 2019, when Vertigo was fully made available for both Casual and Competitive bomb defusal modes. This update marked Vertigo’s return to the main rotation of maps in Counter-Strike, providing players with the full experience of the newly revamped map.

Entry into Active Duty Group

The pivotal moment for Vertigo's reintroduction came on March 28, 2019, when the map was moved from the Reserves Group to the Active Duty Group. This transition meant that Vertigo was now part of the standard map pool used in competitive play, including professional tournaments. Cache, another popular map, was moved to the Reserves Group to undergo renovations, making way for Vertigo in the Active Duty Group.

This inclusion in the Active Duty Group was a significant milestone for Vertigo, solidifying its place in the competitive scene and ensuring that it would be a focal point in upcoming tournaments and matches. The decision to include Vertigo in the Active Duty Group demonstrated the developers' confidence in the extensive updates and changes they had implemented, aiming to provide a fresh and balanced competitive experience for players and viewers alike.

The official factions for Vertigo are the FBI for the Counter-Terrorist side and the Professionals for the Terrorist side, adding to the map's narrative and immersion within the Counter-Strike universe.

Detailed Update History

March 19, 2019

• Competitive Matchmaking: Vertigo was added to the Competitive matchmaking pool.
• CT Entrance to Mid: Changed for safer CT rotations between sites.
• T Side Adjustments: Plywood stack and wooden crate near T side of mid moved forward for safer boosts.
• Collision and Soundscapes: Smoothed player collision on metal stairs, updated soundscapes, moved T spawn generator, improved grenade throwing out of ceilings, and made minor tweaks.

March 21, 2019

• Wingman Version: Switched to Bombsite B.
• Site Adjustments: Slightly larger white metal structures on B site, floor material variation added, and lowered C4 explosion radius from 500 to 400.
• Grenade Clips and Railings: Added grenade clip to roof props, extended catwalk by T stairs, and added more railings near A ramp.
• Clipping and Light: Fixed clipping issues and C4 stuck spots, blocked weapon drops into gaps, and boosted ambient light near A site.

March 28, 2019

• Mid and T Stairs: New cover in the bottom of mid, ramp towards “window” to B site, and tweaked T stairs.
• Spawn Adjustments: CT spawns are pushed slightly forward and spawn positions prioritized.
• Catwalk and Angles: Added corner railing on B site catwalk, blocked two-man boost in CT spawn, and tweaked B site layout.

April 2, 2019

• Cover and Damage: Replaced red fence at top of A ramp, fixed pixel gaps, and reduced wallbang damage.
• Visibility and Layout: Increased height of crane base, improved visibility from B site, and reworked site layout.
• Clipping and Boosts: Fixed unintended boosts, blocked weapon drops, and simplified collision on scaffolding models.

November 18, 2019

• Ramp and Corridor: Added ramp to scaffolding on A ramp, connected corridor to CT elevator room, widened top of mid, and offset doors.
• A Site Adjustments: Shortened CT death funnel and widened A site area.

November 22, 2019

• Radar Update: Updated radar for Vertigo.

April 16, 2020

• Lighting and Cover: Brightened i-beam textures, replaced wooden fence on A site with metal, and lowered height of B site.
• Layout and Railings: Removed “window” entrance from mid, flipped railings on B stairs, and reworked B site layout.

April 23, 2020

• Fixes: Fixed gap under box on B site, added ramp-clipping, and fixed minor graphical bugs.

February 1, 2022

• Grenade Bug: Fixed molotov/incendiary grenades going through the wall and floor in mid.

June 15, 2022

• Bug Fix: Attempted to fix molly through floor bug at mid and removed ramp corner position.

December 6, 2023

• Collision Properties: Changed railings to emit correct footstep sounds.

May 25, 2024

• Scaffolding and Layout: Added scaffolding near Bombsite A, removed passage between elevators and back of Bombsite A, opened passage between elevators and scaffolding, and slightly changed the bomb placement site.

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Conclusion

Vertigo's journey through Counter-Strike's history is a testament to the game's evolving nature and the developers' commitment to keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. From its original introduction to its removal and subsequent reintroduction, Vertigo has undergone extensive changes, making it a unique and challenging map in the competitive scene. The map's inclusion in the Active Duty Group marked a significant milestone, showcasing its importance and popularity among players and fans alike. As the updates continue to roll out, Vertigo stands as a prime example of how thoughtful design and player feedback can shape the landscape of esports maps.