The series classic MP5 submachine gun is finally available in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. This is the very first time that the weapon has been available in Counter-Strike: GO, and it came to the game via a minor update applied earlier in the week. According to Valve, the weapon has been added as an alternative to the MP7.
The gun's official designation in Counter-Strike: GO is the "MP5-SD." Its notable features include an integrated silencer and increased movement speed. That increased speed isn't free though; it comes at the cost of some damage and accuracy while moving.
Those who are eager to put the new weapon through its paces need only to enter the game's Offline mode or jump into either the Official Casual or Deathmatch servers. Valve hasn't said anything about adding skins for the weapon yet, but it's probably safe to say that they're coming. Maybe it'll play host to a ridiculously valuable weapon skin one day too.
The addition of the MP5-SD is the most exciting part of this week's update, but players will likely appreciate the other changes made to the game. The update doesn't add anything terribly dramatic - no Fortnite-style building was added or anything; it's just a collection of very minor quality of life updates. Some highlights from the update include:
- A new way to advertise lobbies to Steam Group members
- Panarama UI for Windows XP users, a fix for map overview icon scaling
- Send Steam messages to recent teammates via the new Steam chat.
Counter-Strike: GO has enjoyed an incredible level of staying power throughout its life so far. The game is six-years-old now, and it still hosts a thriving community despite the rise of many popular contemporaries and the recent loot box controversy. This is thanks in no small part to its community's passion and additions like this. Adding a gun isn't significant on it's own, but Valve's attitude of dutifully supporting their game over the years is. This is exactly what keeps games relevant: content, communication, and continuous improvement.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is available to play on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
Sources: Polygon, Counter-Strike