Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has got a shiny new update today, and with it a whole bunch of changes to maps across the FPS game’s active roster. Along with specific tweaks detailed in the latest CS:GO patch notes, Valve has also implemented a new graphics setting called “Boost Player Contrast” to help characters stand out more clearly against the maps’ backgrounds.
As reflected in the June 10 patch notes, included below, Valve’s targeted six CS:GO maps with changes in the latest update, including – probably to the delight of its fans – Dust 2, whose B site doors have now been flipped. In addition, the A site’s windows have been adjusted upwards a little, allowing players to more easily spot foes lurking in front of them.
Cache has the biggest number of changes, with Valve having “cleaned up several important angles” based on player feedback, replaced cargo container models, other visibility improvements, and more. Train, Mirage, Inferno, and Overpass meanwhile have been given various licks of paint and other visibility and visual adjustments.
As for the new feature, Valve explains ‘Boost Player Contrast’ is a ” special post process filter” – enabled by default – “that applies to stationary characters, creating local contrast so that characters stand out from the background.”
It tweaks visuals a little to increase characters’ contrast against backgrounds and “strengthens edge pixels” from far distances, and adds little touches like a surrounding blur and “contrasting halo” around characters in some scenarios to help them stand out.
Without further ado, here are the latest CS:GO patch notes (via Valve):
GAMEPLAY
- Added the ‘Boost Player Contrast’ advanced video setting, which improves the legibility of players in low contrast situations.
AGENTS
- Adjusted some agent textures for improved visibility.
MISC
- Adjusted dropped C4 collision geometry.
- Fixed Danger Zone drone pilot camera getting stuck when drone received burn damage.
- Added Desert Eagle shell eject event for last bullet fired.
RENDERING
- Minor texture streaming optimisations.
MAPS
- Overpass:
- Removed large ivy-models near bathrooms by A site
- Removed thin windows in bathrooms by A site
- Removed bicycle by picnic by A long
- Brightened up connector tunnel
- Brightened up T spawn
- Added nice stone trims
- Dust2:
- Flipped B site doors
- Simplified background when looking from B tunnels towards truck in mid
- Changed fog start distance from 1000 to 512, changed max density from .2 to .4
- Raised windows by A site ramp to make characters stand out more
- Mirage:
- Removed trash pile at top of mid
- Trimmed plant by T spawn, towards apartments
- Boosted light in market window
- Fixed silent dropdown bug from B site balcony
- Changed angle of ladder in ladder-room
- Inferno:
- Trimmed ivy by CT spawn towards A site arch
- Fixed CSM shadow from tower in mid
- Train:
- Added new train bumper model with flat top
- Cache:
- Replaced ladder to sniper’s nest with a box
- Cleaned up several important angles. (Thanks LangeThorup!)
- Added 1v1 Arenas
- Replaced cargo containers with new model for improved performance
- Visibility improvements in T entrance to A Main (Thanks Slender_CS!)
- Fixed unwanted/unintuitive wallbang in Mid Shed
- Subtle colour tweaks
- Various clipping fixes
- Optimisations