Even if you don't play Counter Strike: Global Offensive or any other version of Valve's mega-popular multiplayer FPS, you can probably imagine the kinds of issues you'd run into shooting anything with a sandstorm closing in around you. So with modders introducing the game's best weather mod to date, you can expect the pros to feel a little out of their comfort zone soon.
You can go into any Counter Strike stream and see the precision and patience the experts employ when it comes to blasting down their enemies. Careful listening and lightning-fast reactions dictate who comes out on top, so even a surprise puddle can give away an enemy position when a simple splash noise lets your opponent know where you are and how long it'll be before you reach a certain key position.
So that's where Lewis Palfrey and Luke Millanta come in. Teaming up to make Millanta's vision into reality - or virtual reality, at least - the two have added 10 unique weather effects to 4 of CS:GO's most popular maps; Dust2, Mirage, Cache and Overpass.
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The weather effects in question can range from anything between severe thunderstorms to heavy fog, rotating between severity and type each round to change up the sound, landscape and visibility of each map on a constant basis. Rain will put out the fires of a molotov more quickly, while heavy storms will impede on your ability to hear an approaching enemy. Sandstorms and fog will have the obvious effect of blocking close-range vision, too, while flaring up or settling down a little between rounds.
For those interested in shaking up their play a little, the modded maps are available through the game's dedicated Steam Workshop page. You can read a little more about their inspiration through the original Eurogamer article.
