Vertigo (de_vertigo) is a bomb defusing map introduced in Counter-Strike and later added to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive with the October 1, 2012 update.
History of the map
The first version of the Vertigo map appeared back in Counter-Strike 1.1, but then the Counter-Strike community reacted extremely negatively to the appearance of a map with two floors. Since at that time the sound in the game sounded completely different and it was not at all clear whether your opponent was near you or whether he was even running on the top floor.
The creator of the map was Chris Auty, who developed the map for Counter-Strike Beta, and then transferred it to Counter-Strike: Condition Zero. However, after which he sold the rights to the map to Valve, who brought it to its current state. In general, Vertigo has played the following versions of the game:
- Counter-Strike Beta
- Counter-Strike 1.6
- Counter-Strike: Condition Zero
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Counter-Strike 2
But the following people and studios spent their efforts to create this gaming masterpiece:
- Chris Cars
- Valve Corporation
- Hidden Path Entertainment
Review
Vertigo takes place on the top of a skyscraper, more precisely on the 51st floor, which is not yet completed, and covers the confrontation between anti-terrorism squads and terrorist groups. The main task of the terrorists is to blow up the building by installing an explosive device in it, while the task of the anti-terrorist squad is to prevent the implementation of this plan. The positions for placing the bomb and the starting point of the anti-terrorists are located at the very top of the map, while the terrorists begin their movement from the lower levels, from the stairwell.
Mood
For position A, the key route from the terrorists' starting point is along a route known as "The Ramp". This path branches into a route called “Construction”, which in turn turns into “Short”. There is also an alternative route to A through the center, via the "Lobby/Elevator", which also provides the anti-terrorists with the opportunity to capture this key point, as well as use the back room for an approach. Anti-terrorists can defend themselves in various locations, for example, behind bags of cement at the top of the ramp or among the crates in area A "Short".
Regarding point B, the main route for terrorists is the "Staircase". The fight for control of this vertical space can be difficult, so alternative access to B can be found through the middle connector. Anti-Terrorists can ambush enemies by moving from their starting point or through the middle connector, both of which lead to a narrow passage. They can take up defensive positions near a pillar, in a corner, or near an electrical block.
The official mission is that terrorists are seeking to destroy the unfinished Rizzleton skyscraper. Counter-terrorists need to prevent the destruction of the building. Terrorists will have to plant and detonate a C4 explosive device to achieve their goal. Important warning for participants: Beware of falling.
Development history
In the original version of Counter-Strike, the Vertigo map used textures from the game Half-Life, creating a background of images of other skyscrapers. The map's scenery mainly consisted of building materials such as concrete, and the skybox was borrowed from the Assault map.
In Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the Vertigo map has undergone significant changes, from textures to overall structure, making it more realistic. The background now includes more realistic images of buildings. The roofs over the bomb sites were removed, new decorations were added, and the height of the walls was lowered, allowing players to use some objects for jumping and air attacks. The middle corridors and routes connecting bomb sites with stairwells and ramps have also been significantly changed. If C4 explosives fall off the map or into elevator shafts, special triggers will return them back to the playing field.
On November 13, 2017, Vertigo was removed from the CS:GO game files, becoming unavailable for play as the developers considered it unplayable. However, in the January 24, 2019 update, the map was brought back into the game, but initially only for Wingman mode with only point B accessible, while the rest of the map was also changed. On March 7, 2019, the game area was adjusted to include only Point A. The entire map became available for casual and competitive matches in Bomb Defuse mode on March 19, 2019.
On March 28, 2019, Vertigo was moved from the reserve group to the active card group, while Cache was temporarily taken away for an update. On the Vertigo map in CS:GO, the FBI factions are officially fighting against the Professionals.
With the arrival of Counter-Strike 2, Valve changed virtually nothing on the map. We just changed the brightness and saturation of the lighting on the map. Basically everything on the map remains the same as it was in the previous version of the game.
Vertigo Map Positions
Interesting Facts
- The term "Vertigo" is used to describe the dizziness that can occur when looking down from a high distance, especially in the context of a story centered around a skyscraper under construction.
- If the player falls off the map, the game console will display the message "{Victim} committed suicide (hit in the head) due to trigger_hurt."
- There is a secret room hidden under Bomb Point B, which can be accessed through noclip mode or free observation mode. The room contains credits from the game developers.
- Players' bodies falling through 3-4 floors in Counter-Strike 1.6 suddenly stop due to map restrictions.
- A player who flies off the map will hear screams and the sound of falling before dying.
- In Wingman mode, the helicopter can be seen in the sky in the northeastern part of the map. When shooting at a helicopter, it flies away, which leads to an interruption of its broadcast shown on the TV of the terrorist base.
- This helicopter is similar to the one used for rescue in the "No Mercy" campaign of another Valve game, Left 4 Dead, which also ends on the roof of a skyscraper.
- In the March 21, 2019 update, signs were added to indicate the number of accidents on the construction site, starting at zero and increasing based on the number of falls from the map in the last round at the beginning of each new round.
