Much to the delight of CS: GO players, Valve has released a significant update to the game, introducing the new Operation Riptide that will last until February 20, 2022. Additionally, a passel of new features such as private matchmaking, shorter competitive matches, and significant gameplay changes, including the iconic Dust 2 map, have been added.CS: GO players will be able to select the duration of the competitive match and select the style of their deathmatch.CS:GO@CSGOToday we are excited to ship CS:GO's 11th Operation, Operation Riptide. New challenges await, with new maps, new game mode options, all-new Private Queues and more: counter-strike.net/riptide7:28 AM · Sep 22, 2021102871704Today we are excited to ship CS:GO's 11th Operation, Operation Riptide. New challenges await, with new maps, new game mode options, all-new Private Queues and more: counter-strike.net/riptideThis is a follow-up to CS: GO’s Operation Broken Fang, which concluded in May. Unlike the previous few operations, where players had an extended gap in between, Operation Riptide was only released around 141 days after the last one concluded.The official release note for the CS: GO update states the following:“Introducing Operation Riptide, featuring new maps, new missions, and new ways to play your favorite game modes! Activate an Operation Riptide Pass and complete your missions to earn rewards including all new agents, weapon collections, stickers, and patches.”CS: GO Operation Riptide patch notesGame modesPrivate MatchmakingPlayers can generate a Queue Code and share it with friends to create a private Premier match on the Valve server.They can also select a steam group and play a match exclusively with its members.Short CompetitiveA new option to select your preference for the match duration has been included, with the short one lasting only 16 rounds and the long or the regular one for 30 rounds.DeathmatchPlayers can select the style of the deathmatch, including Team Deathmatch, Free-for-All, and Classic.Adjustments to Demolition and Arms RaceThe maximum rounds in demolition have been reduced to 10, and the team swap has been removed.While in the Arms Race, players will receive a health shot after three kills.GameplayPlayers can now drop grenades just like weapons.Vision after death reduced from 3.0s to 2.0s (vision by headshot reduced from 1.0s to 0.5s).Deagle’s body damage has been reduced.Increase in the body damage of M4A1-S.The price of Dual Elites is reduced to $300.A new Riot Shield has been added to the Casual Hostage map.CS: GO mapsCS:GO@CSGOWe're adding new maps during the Operation and updating Ancient and Dust2. Here's a sneak peek at Dust2 changes:7:32 AM · Sep 22, 20216282599We're adding new maps during the Operation and updating Ancient and Dust2. Here's a sneak peek at Dust2 changes: https://t.co/2nCfoFktYiCounty has been added to the official matchmaking in Danger Zone game mode.Basalt and Insertion II have been added to official matchmaking in Competitive, Casual, and Deathmatch game modes.Ravine and Extraction have been added to the official matchmaking in Wingman game mode.The following maps are no longer available in official matchmaking: Grind, Mocha, Pitstop, Calavera, Frostbite.Dust 2The visibility improved to B back site from upper tunnels.The visibility tweaked from T spawn through mid.InfernoThe gate at the top of the banana is now solid.Minor bug fixes.Revised 1v1 layout.AncientThe size of the plantable area in both bomb sites has increased.A new 1v1 arena has been added.Bullet penetration on plywood surfaces has also been fixed.CS: GO skinsA new Riptide Case has been included with the operation. Additionally, Train 2021 collection, Mirage 2021 collection, 2021 Dust 2 collection, and 2021 Vertigo collection have also been added to CS: GO.Here are the skins for the latest case:Operation Riptide CaseDesert Eagle | Ocean DriveAK-47 | Leet MuseoSSG 08 | Turbo PeekMAC-10 | ToyboxGlock-18 | Snack AttackM4A4 | Spider LilyFAMAS | ZX SpectronMP9 | Mount FujiMAG-7 | BI83 SpectrumFive-SeveN | Boost ProtocolUSP-S | Black LotusPP-Bizon | LumenXM1014 | WatchdogDual Berettas | TreadG3SG1 | Keeping TabsAUG | PlagueMP7 | Guerrilla