The ongoing Clanbase NationsCup is moving into the Playoff stage, and although the group stages themselves went in general 'according to plan' the playoffs have the potential for an upset here or there and the playing field is that bit more level. For me, this is something that draws me in to watch the games and read the news - ET 'Club' teams, you might say, lack the sort of competitive edge until the very late stages. Are current top teams too stacked?

MLG have this week stirred up controversy amongst their fans by announcing their Winter Arena event next weekend will be Pay Per View only. MLG have priced their content at $20 for the weekend, allowing access to 3 days of streaming from an event boasting some of the biggest names in Starcraft 2. The MLG Pro Circuit (the events they're most famous for) will remain a freeium mix of PPV & Free Streaming.

This column will be my shortest of all the ones I've written over the years and that's because, I've got very little to write about! So what would you like contributors on Crossfire to write about?

Dear Crossfire, today I am going to reveal to you my struggle with what I consider to be one of the most enjoyable recreational drugs released in many years, Battlefield 3. I am, or I would like to be, an addict.

Firstly, I would like to thank all those that voted for me in the community awards. It makes it seem like these columns are worth while. To begin my first column of 2012, I took the opinions some highly respected players from our beloved gaming community.

Who is your idol?

Quote by Krein

Anubis

Quote by Sereal

mAx

Quote by Dialer

Potter

Quote by Panda

Raveneye

The last time I wrote This Week In Gaming was one one month ago and the leading story was that of SOPA, also known as the Stop Online Piracy Act. To save recapping what's already been written, this is what I wrote in that newspost:

6 years of Enemy Territory - 6 years of so much win, deceptions, frustrations and hope. Small community, small amount of active players but so much whine and skill together in a single game. I could talk about the historical games, frags and achievements but will go straight to my point: the most valuable pocal is friendship and our sweet gold memories.

I sit here bored on a Friday night, after browsing the usual gaming sites reading columns and articles a plan (a very bored and spontaneous one) to write about ET and it's current state hits me. Im tempted to just let it pass by, hell we have seen another ET is dead, ET and it's future columns before right? Right. However, as I am writing this it is the first time that i have concluded that ET is really in a dire state and needs a lift.

I sit up in my chair, back pressed hard against the cushion. I place my headset firmly on my head. There is a fresh, warm coffee on my desk. I straighten my arms, move my keyboard slightly to the side, and wipe my mouse pad with my hand: every gamer has his pre-game ritual. These can vary from washing your hands, to a routine that you feel that has become a habit. Regardless, the facts remain the same, I am ready to frag. A practice session, or maybe even an official.

Tomorrow will mark a full week since The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was released and we will have our first weekly view at worldwide sales. So far "Skyrim" has became the year's second fastest selling videogame behind, ofcourse, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. "MW3" smashed all sales records on the first day and became the highest-grossing entertainment launch ever, totalling over $400 million in the first 24 hours alone. Skyrim, on the other hand, sold over 3.