Officer Davey prepares for his first shift as a traffic cop.

Valve’s online multiplayer favourite Counter-Strike is being updated for a new generation. According to the brief announcement, first person shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive will offer new maps, modes, characters and weapons. The new package will also include a range of updated content from the storied past of the series, including legendary desert map de_dust.

The terrorism themed saga began as a Half-Life mod in 1999. Notwithstanding a port for the original Xbox, Counter-Strike has been strongly associated with the PC. The series now appears set to broaden its horizons, with versions in the works for next generation consoles as well as the PC. Will the console editions enjoy the same level of post release support as the PC version? Not if Valve’s treatment of Team Fortress 2 is any guide.

The new game will be a collaboration between Valve and Hidden Path Entertainment, the studio responsible for Counter-Strike: Source. Look for it in early 2012 or (more likely) whenever it’s finished.