CS:GO Update Removes Bots From Competitive Games, But Valve Doesn't Say Why

The newest update for Valve's incredibly popular free-to-play shooter CS:GO has arrived, and one of the most notable changes pertains to a feature that has been removed.

The patch notes state that, when a player disconnects or is kicked from a classic competitive or wingman mode match, a bot will no longer replace them. Should the entire team vanish, a single bot will be spawned in for the other team and remain idle.

Valve provided no rationale for why it made this decision to remove bots. The appeal of bots was that, should a teammate get disconnected for any reason, the squad would still have a fighting chance instead of being forced to play one team member down.

Elsewhere, the January 7 CS:GO patch fixes various exploits and issues with a handful of maps, while some changes have been made to the game's ping system. Specifically, pings will no longer highlight weapons in competitive matches.

You can see the full patch notes below, as compiled by Valve and posted on the game's website.

CS:GO is far and away the most popular game on Steam. The latest data shows that the shooter had more than 1 million concurrent users by the latest count.

CS:GO - January 7 Patch Notes

[ GAMEPLAY ]

• When a player disconnects or is kicked in classic competitive and wingman modes, they will no longer be replaced by a bot. If the entire other team leaves, one bot will be left on the other team, idling in spawn.
• Fixed bots not navigating properly in Warmup arenas.

[VIEW MODELS]

• Reduced size of SWAT sleeves matching all existing models.

[ MISC ]

• Fixed a crash in Windows dedicated server when “version” command is issued.
• Pings no longer move when walked over by characters, and will no longer highlight weapons in competitive matches.
• Adjusted Retakes clip areas in Mirage and Train

[ PERFECT WORLD ]

• Accounts that completed government identity verification have been upgraded to CS:GO Prime Account Status for Steam China.

[ MAPS ]

Ancient

• Further optimizations
• Fixed some clipping bugs

Cache

• Fixed a pixel-gap in the Cargo containers in T-Spawn (Thanks to the perceptive individual that reported it to 3kliksphilip!)
• Fixed Cargo containers not having their proper colors.
• Fixed bomb explosions being visible above the A site. (Thanks markman2575!)

Engage

• Removed several boost spots
• Added stairs in the garage for better rotation flow
• Breakable glass ceiling around A-site and Mid. Smokes and flashes can now be used on A-site
• Removed “office” area on mid
• Added ladder on A upper CT side
• Both entrances of the hut are now wider for better player traffic flow between A-site and Mid
• Lowered A upper and bridge to make entire bombsite more readable
• Removed several awkward angles on A-site
• Removed excessive areas on A-site
• Removed clutter on A-site
• Better FPS around the whole map

Guard

• Widened inner part of connector
• Reduced size of restaurant corner
• Adjusted tarp positions on truck to eliminate some angles
• Lowered half-wall at stairs
• Adjusted timings by pushing CT spawns back a bit
• Shifted crates next to tower further towards pit
• Enhanced visibility for various long range angles
• Removed electric box next to bikes
• Reduced amount of breakable glass at shop
• Blocked angle from CT boost to pit
• Increased size of ladder hole
• Added location names
• Fixed players being able to see into the tower area when boosted at dumpster (u/ReVoLTimE)
• Fixed some Z-fighting and intersecting geo (Thanks Joaokaka1998)
• Fixed various visible nodraw textures (Thanks Joaokaka1998, Fnugz, u/TheSpudd, u/ReVoLTimE)
• Fixed various bomb stuck spots (Thanks Joaokaka1998)
• Fixed player stuck spot on street (Kerluck)
• Clipping adjustments throughout the map (Thanks Joaokaka1998, u/ReVoLTimE, Kerluck)
• Minor visual adjustments and enhancements