Update: I just received a press release announcing a March 28 release. I guess Gooseman is trying to poke fun at the skeptic in me or make my dreams come true. One of the two. Hurrah?

A year ago, Counter-Strike creator Minh 'Gooseman' Le coordinated a media blitz for his free-to-play follow-up with a trailer, interviews, and a firm message that an official release was imminent. Here we are, a year later and over three since it was first announced in 2009, with Tactical Intervention's first public beta upon us: from March 14 to 28, CS fans will finally to discover if this successor meets the years of anticipation and hype.

I've been blown away by the trailers put out on the game, though I haven't heard much buzz from the private betas that have been happening since 2010. Steven Hansen previewed the game at GDC last year, calling it "the logical evolution of the straightforward, well-designed Counter-Strike formula that Le believes it to be."

Given how long the private beta has been going on for, the public beta may last another 3 years before an official release date. Le has been making big promises with this game, and I can't wait to find out if he delivers or paints himself as a Molyneux of FPS. We'll find out together on March 14, unless you have access to the private beta that begins March 4.

Sign up for the beta at OGPlanet.

Tactical Intervention: Born out of Counter-Strike and insecurity [Joystiq]

Tactical Intervention Timeline