New Counter-Strike Has Zombies, Is Free-to-Play

A new Counter-Strike game will be released this year on Steam, but it's probably not what you're expecting. Nexon today announced Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies (yes, Nexon's name is actually part of the title), a free-to-play game developed in collaboration with Valve, and due to launch on Steam across North America and Europe later this year.

Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies will feature traditional Counter-Strike models like Hostage Rescue and Bomb Diffusion, as well as a "new zombie-based experience." The new zombie-themed mode introduces new weapons and "diverse game modes."

The zombies in the game are described as quick, aggressive, and dangerous. Though Nexon says the gameplay in Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies is fast-paced and frenetic, the company also uses the term "easy-to-play" to describe the overall game. As a result, the game "reaches out to all players," Nexon Europe CEO Kenny Chang said in a statement.

"Today we are announcing the latest creation from Nexon in the Counter-Strike world, one that builds upon years of success in developing Counter-Strike Online for Asia," Valve's Doug Lombardi said. "This title showcases that work in new zombie and classic form."

Counter-Strike Online was released in 2008 as a free-to-play game in Asia. The most recent entry in the core series was 2012's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, which is currently available for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

Nexon is also publishing Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski's upcoming free-to-play game, which is under production as Project Bluestreak. Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies is also coming to Oceania and the Commonwealth of Independent States region.