This article was originally published on GameSpot's sister site onGamers.com, which was dedicated to esports coverage.

　　

Front End Changes

Changelog

There is an update splash page available here: http://www.counter-strike.net/winteroffensive/

　　CSGO

　　Added three purchasable gift options:-- Gift Package - gives a random item to a random player in your match.-- Pallet of Presents - gives random items to up to nine people in your match.-- Audience Participation Parcel - gives random items to up to 25 viewers watching your match.Added the Winter Offensive Case, the first-ever community-made case.Replaced the eSports case with the new eSports Winter Case.MAPS

　　Added Cobblestone and Overpass maps, which are available to community servers and offline play. Official matchmaking is limited to Operation Bravo in order to collect additional map balancing data prior to a wider release.Fixed an exploit in AssaultMinor bugfixes in Bank, St.Marc and SugarcaneGAMEPLAY

　　Walking into shallow water no longer makes an audible splash.MISC

　　Added a link to share downloaded matches. To access this link, download one of your recent matches, view the scoreboard from that match, and click on 'Copy Link.'Added say_team support for coaches.Added holiday cheer.CS:GO SDK

　　Fixed a Steam authentication problem when running individual CS:GO SDK tools not from Steam Library, but directly from command line.Fixed a bug causing workshop uploader tools to retrieve only the first 50 of a user's items.

New Maps

de_cbble

de_overpass

Map Updates

de_bank

Those of you who play Payday 2 may of recognised the map from their latest Christmas heist update, the map in question is actually based on de_bank from CS: GO. As part of a Christmas crossover three Payday 2 masks have been hidden in the CS: GO version of the map.

　　The three masks.

　　The three masks as they are found in de_bank.

　　

Misc

All of the existing maps have been updated to include little Christmas bulbs to get the festive season rolling.

　　

Gift Packages

The Winter Offensive Update is shipping with three types of gifts for the giving: the Gift Package, which will give a random item to one random player in your match; the Pallet of Presents, which will give random items to up to nine people in your match; and the Audience Participation Parcel, which will give random items to up to 25 viewers watching your match.

　　

Gift Package

"When used, a random player in your match will get a random item as a gift from you."

　　

Pallet of Presents

"When used, up to 9 other players in your match will get a random item as a gift from you."

　　

Audience Participation Parcel

"When used, up to 25 viewers watching your match will get a random item as a gift from you."

　　

New Weapon Cases

Two new weapon cases have been introduced with this patch which includes the first community based Workshop case.

　　

eSports Winter Case

Replacing the previous case, the eSports Winter Case continues our crowd-funding initiative, with a portion of profit given to future CS:GO esport tournament prize pools.

　　Contents

　　High Grade Weapons

　　[an_titanium30v]weapon_galilar

　　[hy_flowers]weapon_fiveseven

　　[hy_water_crest]weapon_bizon

　　[sp_camo_wood_blue]weapon_nova

　　[sp_zebracam_blue]weapon_g3sg1

　　[am_ddpatdense_silver]weapon_p250

　　Remarkable Weapons

　　[hy_ak47lam_blue]weapon_ak47

　　[hy_modspots]weapon_p90

　　Exotic Weapons

　　[cu_broken_path_famas]weapon_famas

　　[hy_hive]weapon_awp

　　[am_ddpatdense_peacock]weapon_deagle

　　Extraordinary Weapons

　　[cu_xray_m4]weapon_m4a1

　　

Winter Offensive Weapon Case

Presenting the first-ever community-made case, featuring some of the most popular and interesting finishes from the CS:GO Workshop on a wide variety of weapons.

　　Contents

　　High Grade Weapons

　　[cu_sandstorm]weapon_galilar

　　[hy_kami]weapon_fiveseven

　　[aq_obsidian]weapon_m249

　　[am_turqoise_halftone]weapon_bizon

　　Remarkable Weapons

　　[cu_famas_pulse]weapon_famas

　　[hy_marina_sunrise]weapon_elite

　　[am_thorny_rose_mp9]weapon_mp9

　　[cu_skull_nova]weapon_nova

　　Exotic Weapons

　　[cu_m4a1-s_elegant]weapon_m4a1_silencer

　　[cu_p250_refined]weapon_p250

　　[cu_awp_cobra]weapon_awp

　　Extraordinary Weapons

　　[cu_m4_asimov]weapon_m4a1

　　[cu_sawedoff_octopump]weapon_sawedoff

　　

Chicken Update

The chickens have also gotten in a festive mood.

　　

UI Updates

Watch Tab

It is now possible to share a link to a replay you have downloaded via the scoreboard, the link produced will open up the CS: GO client and start downloading the replay from the match in question.

　　Example Link: steam://rungame/730/76561202255233023/ csgo_download_match CSGO-TYsQW-jZnLe-XWKcS-AMe4X-CvxcF

　　The link can be used either in or out of game and will force the replay to download and then start watching it back.

　　

Store Tiles

Located on the main dashboard is now a scrolling selection of store tiles which allow for quick access to browsing all the content sold on the CS GO store.

　　

Back End Changes

Updated Strings

Location name strings for Overpass.

　　//Overpass

　　"LowerPark" "Lower Park"

　　"UpperPark" "Upper Park"

　　"Fountain" "Fountain"

　　"Playground" "Playground"

　　"Restroom" "Restroom"

　　"Construction" "Construction"

　　"Canal" "Canal"

　　"Tunnels" "Tunnels"

　　"Pipe" "Pipe"

　　"Walkway" "Walkway"

　　Strings for the new gifting system.

　　"Item_GiftsSent1Anon" " %s1 has given out a gift!"

　　"Item_GiftsSent1Name" " %s1 has given out a gift, delivered to %s2!"

　　"Item_GiftsSentMany" " %s1 has given out %s2 gifts!"

　　"Item_GiftsYouSentGift" " Your gift was delivered to %s1!"

　　"Item_GiftsYouGotGift" " You got a gift from %s1! The gift is now in your inventory waiting to be acknowledged."

　　"Item_NotConnected" "You must be in a match to use this item!"

　　"Item_Need2Players" "There must be other players in your match to use this item!"

　　"Item_NeedSpectators" "There must be viewers watching your match to use this item!"

　　"Item_GiftNoPlayers" "There are no other players present in your current game to receive your gift!"

　　"Item_GiftedItems" "%s1 has given a gift to %s2!"

　　"Item_GifterText_Random" "%recipient% was selected at random to receive a gift from %giver%!"

　　"Item_GifterText_All" "%giver% has given out a bunch of gifts!"

　　"Item_GifterText_SelfOpen" "%giver% has opened a package!"

　　"SFUIHUD_GiftDrop_GiftGivenLastXMinutes" "In the last %s1 minutes, 1 gift was given by..."

　　"SFUIHUD_GiftDrop_GiftsGivenLastXMinutes" "In the last %s1 minutes, %s2 gifts were given by..."

　　"SFUIHUD_GiftDrop_GiftGivenLastXHours" "In the last %s1 hours, 1 gift was given by..."

　　"SFUIHUD_GiftDrop_GiftsGivenLastXHours" "In the last %s1 hours, %s2 gifts were given by..."

　　"SFUIHUD_GiftDrop_AndOtherPlayer" "...and 1 other generous player!"

　　"SFUIHUD_GiftDrop_AndOtherPlayers" "...and %s1 other generous players!"

　　"SFUIHUD_GiftDrop_NameGiftGiverFormat" "%s1%s2</font>"

　　The eSports key remains universal and will unlock any type of eSports case, the community case requires a unique key.

　　"CSGO_crate_esports_2013" "eSports Case"

　　"CSGO_esports_crate_key_1" "eSports Key"

　　"CSGO_esports_crate_key_1_desc" "This key opens any eSports Case.nnA portion of the proceeds from the sale of this key will go towards one of the established community-run CS:GO tournaments. Stay tuned for further announcements."

　　"CSGO_crate_esports_2013_winter" "eSports Winter Case"

　　"CSGO_community_crate_key_1" "Winter Offensive Case Key"

　　"CSGO_community_crate_key_1_desc" "This key only opens Winter Offensive Cases"

　　"CSGO_crate_community_1" "Winter Offensive Weapon Case"

　　"CSGO_set_esports_ii" "The eSports Winter Collection"

　　"CSGO_set_esports_ii_desc" "A portion of the proceeds from the key used to unlock this will help support CS:GO professional tournament prize pools."

　　Clarification of the standard case key.

　　"CSGO_Tool_WeaponCase_Key" "CS:GO Case Key"

　　"CSGO_Tool_WeaponCase_Key_Desc" "This key will open any Valve Series weapon case. Non-Valve Series cases (e.g. eSports Case) require their own key to open."

　　New paint kit strings.

　　"PaintKit_so_stormfront" "It has individual parts spray-painted solid colors in a stormy color scheme."

　　"PaintKit_so_stormfront_Tag" "Storm"

　　"PaintKit_cu_broken_path_famas" "It has been custom-painted with broken ribbon trails."

　　"PaintKit_cu_broken_path_famas_Tag" "Afterimage"

　　"PaintKit_hy_ak47lam_blue_Tag" "Blue Laminate"

　　"PaintKit_sp_zebracam_blue_Tag" "Azure Zebra"

　　"PaintKit_cu_xray_m4" "A custom painted M4 showing its internals with an X-Ray"

　　"PaintKit_cu_xray_m4_Tag" "X-Ray"

　　"PaintKit_hy_hive_Tag" "Electric Hive"

　　"PaintKit_hy_flowers" "It has been painted using a hydrographic with a floral pattern in the style of the Arts and Crafts movement."

　　"PaintKit_hy_flowers_Tag" "Nightshade"

　　"PaintKit_hy_water_crest" "It has been painted using a hydrographic with a Japanese inspired water pattern."

　　"PaintKit_hy_water_crest_Tag" "Water Sigil"

　　"PaintKit_hy_camo_large" "It has been painted using a hydrographic with an oversized camouflage pattern."

　　"PaintKit_hy_modspots_Tag" "Blind Spot"

　　"PaintKit_sp_camo_wood_blue_Tag" "Ghost Camo"

　　"PaintKit_am_ddpatdense" "It has been covered in a metallic foil stamped with a digital disruptive pattern."

　　"PaintKit_am_ddpatdense_silver_Tag" "Steel Disruption"

　　"PaintKit_am_ddpatdense_peacock_Tag" "Cobalt Disruption"

　　Paint kits for the first community based weapon case.

　　// COMMUNITY CASE 1

　　"PaintKit_cu_m4_asimov" "It has been custom painted with a sci-fi design."

　　"PaintKit_cu_m4_asimov_tag" "Asiimov"

　　"PaintKit_cu_sawedoff_octopump" "It has been hand painted with an image of an octopus."

　　"PaintKit_cu_sawedoff_octopump_tag" "The Kraken"

　　"PaintKit_cu_m4a1-s_elegant" "It has been painted cobalt blue and stenciled with the CT logo on the clip."

　　"PaintKit_cu_m4a1-s_elegant_Tag" "Guardian"

　　"PaintKit_cu_p250_refined" "It has been painted with a hydrographic in a paisley pattern."

　　"PaintKit_cu_p250_refined_Tag" "Mehndi"

　　"PaintKit_cu_awp_cobra" "It has been painted using a carbon fiber hydrographic and a dry-transfer decal of a red pinstripe."

　　"PaintKit_cu_awp_cobra_tag" "Redline"

　　"PaintKit_cu_famas_pulse" "It has been painted with a hydrographic of bold fuchsia fragments."

　　"PaintKit_cu_famas_pulse_tag" "Pulse"

　　"PaintKit_hy_marina_sunrise" "It has been painted with a hydrographic in a contrasting yellow and blue pattern."

　　"PaintKit_hy_marina_sunrise_tag" "Marina"

　　"PaintKit_am_thorny_rose_mp9" "It has been hand painted with a rose and thorn motif in metallic paints of different colors.."

　　"PaintKit_am_thorny_rose_mp9_tag" "Rose Iron"

　　"PaintKit_cu_skull_nova" "It has been customized with an image of a skull using matte paints and an oil-based paint marker."

　　"PaintKit_cu_skull_nova_tag" "Rising Skull"

　　"PaintKit_cu_sandstorm" "It has been painted using a hydrographic in a purple and beige graphic design."

　　"PaintKit_cu_sandstorm_tag" "Sandstorm"

　　"PaintKit_hy_kami" "It has been painted using a hydrographic in a Japanese manga pattern."

　　"PaintKit_hy_kami_tag" "Kami"

　　"PaintKit_aq_obsidian" "It has copper plated parts that have been masked in a magma pattern and given a red patina using sodium chloride and high heat. Unmasked areas have subsequently been darkened via oxidization using liver of sulfur."

　　"PaintKit_aq_obsidian_tag" "Magma"

　　"PaintKit_am_turqoise_halftone" "It has been painted a hydrographic in an oversized halftone pattern over a base coat of turquoise metallic paint."

　　"PaintKit_am_turqoise_halftone_tag" "Cobalt Halftone"

　　Store hint strings.

　　"SFUI_Store_Hint_Gift_-_1_Player" "Gift an item to a random player"

　　"SFUI_Store_Hint_Gift_-_9_Players" "Gift items to 9 other players"

　　"SFUI_Store_Hint_Gift_-_25_Spectators" "Gift items to 25 viewers"

　　"SFUI_Store_Hint_E-Sports_Weapon_Case_Key_1" "Now opens the new Winter case!"

　　"SFUI_Store_Hint_Weapon_Case_Key" "Unlock Arms Deal and Bravo cases"

　　"SFUI_Store_Hint_Community_Case_Key_1" "Unlock the Winter Offensive Case"

　　"SFUI_Store_Hint_Name_Tag" "Rename any weapon"

　　"SFUI_Store_Hint_Community_Season_Two_Autumn_2013" "Click for more info. New maps added!"

　　"SFUI_Store_Hint_Community_Season_One_Spring_2013" "Play the best community maps on matchmaking"

　　Strings for the match sharing feature.

　　"SFUI_GameUI_MatchDl_Title" "CS:GO Match Sharing"

　　"SFUI_GameUI_MatchDlCode" "Failed to validate CS:GO Match Sharing access code."

　　"SFUI_GameUI_MatchDlPending" "Cannot download match from CS:GO Match Sharing servers while other match downloads are pending."

　　"SFUI_GameUI_MatchDlCorrupt" "Cannot request match from CS:GO Match Sharing servers because download of the same match was previously attempted, but no valid replay file was found locally. Please delete the corrupt download and re-download the match."

　　"SFUI_GameUI_MatchDlPending2" "Cannot playback match from CS:GO Match Sharing servers while other match downloads are pending."

　　"SFUI_GameUI_MatchDlCorrupt2" "Error encountered while starting match playback from CS:GO Match Sharing servers. It is possible that the match has expired, failed to get downloaded properly, or the downloaded file is corrupt. Please delete the corrupt download and re-download the match."

　　"SFUI_GameUI_MatchDlStartFail" "Failed to start downloading match from CS:GO Match Sharing servers. If the same match has already been downloaded locally and the downloaded file is corrupt, then please delete the corrupt download and re-download the match."

　　"SFUI_GameUI_MatchDlStartExpired" "Failed to download match from CS:GO Match Sharing servers because match replay has already expired."

　　"SFUI_GameUI_MatchDl_Requesting" "Verifying CS:GO Match Sharing access code and requesting match details from CS:GO Match Sharing servers..."

　　"SFUI_GameUI_MatchDlDownloading" "Downloading match from CS:GO Match Sharing servers..."