Steven R. March 29, 2019
A small but surprisingly meaty patch has dropped in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and it’s one that will be instantly felt at the pro level.
In a surprise move, fresh map Vertigo has been added to the Active Duty group. This puts it back in the tournament rotation, with longtime favorite Cache being bumped out as a result. The update also includes a number of minor bug fixes and other additions.
Though Vertigo is a classic map with a history that dates back to 2001, the skyscraper-themed battleground has been vaulted for much of its life. It was removed completely from CS:GO in 2017 but returned as a Wingman map in January. The map was very recently added back to the competitive defusal rotation, with Cobblestone being bumped from competitive as a result.
The update also includes a number of tweaks to Vertigo ranging from clipping issues to a slightly altered layout. The pathways surrounding the B bombsite have been changed, with new cover being added outside window and the stairwell towards T spawn being adjusted to provide additional cover. The CT spawn has been moved forward, with a nearby boost spot being removed.
Cache will no longer be a part of the competitive map rotation. Rumors of the map being retooled have lingered for months, though no details of an overhaul have been confirmed by Valve or the map’s creators. Cache remains a part of the competitive rotation in reserves, but it is unlikely that it will return to the professional scene any time soon.
Also becoming an official part of the game is the EZ4ENCE song, which has been added as a music kit. The slogan of ENCE Esports was transformed into an anthem by the band The Verkkars for the 2019 Katowice Major. The song boomed in popularity around the team’s exceptional run at the tournament, particularly in ENCE’s native Finland where it hit number four on Spotify and reached number 50 on the country’s music chart.
Though ENCE fell short of the championship when it lost to Astralis in the grand finals, the song’s popularity lingered and is now immortalized in the game.
A number of other small changes have also been made, remedying visual hiccups and UI issues. The full patch notes can be found on the official CS:GO blog.