Over at the home of Quake reformed Esreality troll seven has met with QuakeLive lead developer Steve Nix & community liasion SyncError for a sit down at Quakecon. It's the type of column that foonr would be proud of.

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The team juggles the desires of greater than a million users. To give everybody some perspective of just how complicated a task it is to orchestrate such a massive undertaking, imagine keeping a room full of one hundred 5-year-olds entertained for 8 hours without pause. Each child needs to visit the bathroom, each child has a different level of intelligence, each child requires a different approach for engagement. 15 minutes into this thought experiment I am standing in ten inches of preschooler blood.

Head over to Esreality to read the rest.

Over at GamesIndustry.biz Jas Purewal has posted an interesting analysis of recent developments within the European Parliament, with new laws set to go through which could see national crackdowns on piracy of all kinds, with the introduction of "3 strikes and you're out". Jas muses on their possible ramifications for the internet as a whole; be it gaming, p2p or online piracy. As ever, unwanted government intervention into the private lives of its citizens could have much farer reaching consequences than allegedly intended.

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"...in principle, it may in the future be possible to take technical measures against all forms of online copyright infringement relating to a game, including individuals who distribute unauthorised game modifications (eg additional game levels or a total conversion mod) and/or who create user-generated content relating to games (eg unauthorised in-game footage posted on YouTube).

So the person who distributes a brilliant but unauthorised mod of a defunct but well-loved game, or the person who repeatedly posts unauthorised footage of upcoming or released games online, could potentially face technical measures against his/her internet access in the future. Obviously, the devil would be in the (legal) detail but, clearly, if this kind of action was possible it could transform the games industry"

Despite intense pressure from industry and government, nations such as France have the judicial strength required to protect internet users from a far-reaching state, but, as Jas Purewal notes, the United Kingdom, and this Labour government in particular, generally act on the whims of big business, especially those with shared interests - with Business Secretary Lord Mandelson making moves on yet more authoritarian legislation to police the internet earlier this week.

Read more over at GamesIndustry.biz.

This intrepid news writer urges you to contact your local parliamentarian to tell them to back the fuck up.

It's the second day of September and the sexy señoritas are but a distant memory as autumn creeps in, bringing shorter days the banality of school and drab weather - but it's not all bad, this marks the beginning of the Fall season! Tonight we see everyones favourite ex-mix team TAG take on a glitz eSports team packing some Finnish power.

Though despite the famous name, TAG Hope is confident of victory "1 to 5 would be my odds" he boasted. Though this optimism is not without reason, they've been putting in the hours and aim to achieve "we're playing 5 times a week, top 3 should be very well possible - personally I think we've got a good bracket to reach the final".

Will TAGs confidence pay dividends in their opening encounter of the tournament, or will they crash and burn at the first hurdle? Tune in tonight!

TAG
Sensor
Clown
zerender
blessed
JALLAAAAAA
Hope 2 - 4 glitz eSports
saKen
joshua
LavOd
filuS
zMk
chmpp

Time: 22:00 CET
Maps: Supply / Radar / sw_goldrush_te
Bracket: Single Elimination
ETTV: http://www.gamestv.org/event/13401-tag-vs-glitz-esport/

Also a note for those that're interested, tonight's match, along with every other in the Esports Heaven Tournament will be played without PunkBuster! Tune in to judge the benefits for yourself!

Related:

http://www.esportsheaven.net/?page=tournament&action=view&tournament_id=7

The ClanBase NationsCup returns to some semblance of normality tonight, with four of the lesser teams getting their night in the spotlight!

Pending the clarification of the rules by the ClanBase Chiefs, this first encounter has been given a renewed importance following the expulsion of the Croatian team. It’s the final match of Group D and will determine the three to progress to the playoff stages. Controversial playmaker Jakazc will lead his team out against humM3L’s Russia. Currently Slovenia sit bottom of the group, having already lost to both Israel and group leaders Germany. Anything but a two map victory for Slovenia tonight will see them drop out of the competition at this early stage.

Can Group D offer us a rare controversy free match? Find out tonight from 21:00!

Slovenia vs Russia

Time: 21:00 CET
Maps: Radar / Supply
Competition: ClanBase NationsCup, Group D
Germany (4/0)
Russia (1/1)
Israel (1/2)
Slovenia (0/2)
ETTV: http://www.gamestv.org/event/10005-slovenia-vs-russia/

Despite performing admirably in the 6 Nations Championship, Italy have struggled somewhat in the NationsCup thus far. Their one victory to date coming in a close clash with the Latvians, a nation whom should they win tonight, they’ll leap frog in the group standings. Fourth is a respectable position for a relatively tough group, close but not close enough! Whilst their playmates Romania are playing for little more than pride, languishing at the bottom of the table having yet to take a map in the competition thus far. They’re currently tied with the Hungarians for the dreaded wooden spoon award.

Can Romania finally take a map? Tune in from 21:30 CET!

Romania vs Italy

Time: 21:30 CET
Maps: Supply / Radar
Competition: ClanBase NationsCup, Group A
ETTV: http://www.gamestv.org/event/10026-italy-vs-romania/

The Crossfire Prediction League has picked up pace this week, with the number of contestants near doubling since last week! [uid=11781] is breaking away from the pack at the top of the table, with [uid=11431] and [uid=728] hanging on just three points and four points afar respectively. Meanwhile at the foot of the table Rhand and CAMELTOE share the spoils, having yet to get one prediction right!

Get your entry in for tonight’s matches below.

Scandal aside, we’ve a second consecutive magic Monday in store tonight with the final few matches of this seasons’ group stages being played out. It’s all eyes on Group B as pre-tournament favourites Finland take on the giant killing Czechs. Assuming by the time this match is played, Finland haven’t been expelled from the competition, it’s sure to be a cracker!

Current Group Standings

Czech Republic - 4/0
Finland - 3/1
France - 2/2
Netherlands 2/2
United Kingdom 2/3
Austria 0/5

To date Czech Republic are the only team of this tempestuous group to remain unbeaten. A record they're dead set on maintaining tonight. It’s a winner takes all spectacular in the penultimate match of ClanBase NationsCup Group B.

Czech Republic vs Finland

Time: 22:00 CET
Maps: Supply / Radar
League: ClanBase NationsCup, Group B
ETTV: http://www.gamestv.org/event/10027-czech-republic-vs-finland/

If you want further reading on this seasons NationsCup, check out mundus’s NationsCup Overview!

Sunny Saturday approaches with yet more ClanBase NationsCup action - and it could be a controversial one! The Eastern warriors of the Orient have impressed to date, taking straight map victories off every team bar group leaders Belgium, and in this their last match of the group stages, need only win to secure the second place spot.

The form book, and the GamesTV odds put Hungary as massive underdogs for this clash - having yet to take a map in the competition, let alone a match. But there's nasty rumours abound of sportsmanship from the Hungarian team, that perhaps, at the very least, they might force one map to be played on a European server - severely handicapping Japans chances. Should Hungary do this, Japan could take respite from one fact - fellow second place rivals Estonia will face the inform Belgians, and so a loss might just be enough to scrape the second place having already taken down Estonia in match week two.

With the match server as yet unknown, could Hungary pull a fast one to avoid the wooden spoon?

Japan vs Hungary

Time: 20:00 CET
Maps: Supply / Radar
Competition: ClanBase NationsCup, Group C
ETTV: http://www.gamestv.org/league/619-cb-et-nationscup-xii/

The battle for the playoffs! Tune in from Saturday 20:00 CET.

Group B goes down to the wire tonight in this the penultimate match week of the group stages. Following the United Kingdom's surprise victory over Finland last night they've thrown open the gates on any sense of normality and left all three qualifying places up for grabs. The big four have been decided, but who will be the unlucky loser that just misses out?

Group B has been the shining beacon of this seasons ClanBase NationsCup. It was billed in the tournament preamble "group of death", and has lived up to that billing spectacularly. To date both of the group favourites, Finland and Netherlands, have lost at least one match. The only team to as yet have a perfect record in the competition being tonights competitors and perhaps new group favourites, Czech Republic.

The Czech's have impressed this time round, performing heroics in overcoming initially the dogmatic Brits, and more impressively, taking down the Dutch. They've played three won three and currently sit top of Group B - though strangely, as yet not guaranteed a playoff spot!

It's tonights challengers that could throw this group on its head once more. Should they replicate their impressive performance against the UK on Delivery, they can at the very least force a decider. What this decider will be will surely determine not just the fate of these two teams, but of the group as a whole.

One thing can be certain, tonights winners will guarantee their place in the latter stages. Tune in from 22:00 CET!

Czech Republic vs France

Time: 22:00 CET
Maps: sp_delivery_te / sw_goldrush_te
Competition: ClanBase NationsCup, Group B
Fixtures to Date

Czech Republic 4 0 Austria
Finland 4 2 France
Netherlands 4 2 United Kingdom

France 4 2 United Kingdom
Finland 4 0 Austria
Czech Republic 4 2 Netherlands

Czech Republic 4 0 United Kingdom
Finland 4 2 Netherlands
France 4 0 Austria

Netherlands 4 0 Austria
United Kingdom 4 2 Finland
Czech Republic vs France

Final Match week

Austria vs United Kingdom
France vs Netherlands
Czech Republic vs Finland

Current group standing

Czech Republic
Finland
France
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Austria
ETTV: http://www.gamestv.org/event/9801-czech-republic-vs-france/

Not satisfied with only offering that great tie, GamesTV and ClanBase have again teamed up to showcase two other great matches as a warmup to the match of the night. Starting from 21:00 it's up to you the viewer to chose your poison and catch one of either Germany or Estonia in match week four of this NC.

Estonia have so far played two, won one lost one - and tonight will endeavor to climb into the all important third place qualifying position in the group, which a win tonight will ensure. Hungary have struggled to date this season, failing as yet to take a map, let alone a match and so will not fancy their chances against the old giants of Enemy Territory.

Estonia vs Hungary

Time: 21:00 CET
Maps: sp_delviery_te / sw_goldrush_te
Competition: ClanBase NationsCup, Group C
ETTV: http://www.gamestv.org/event/9798-estonia-vs-hungary/

Running consecutively Germany look to continue their domination of Group D with what should be an easy win over Slovenia tonight. Even Quakecon champion jackazc will be hard pressed to carry his team against the might of the Germans tonight.

Germany vs Slovenia

Time: 21:00 CET
Maps: sp_delivery_te / sw_goldrush_te
Competition: ClanBase NationsCup, Group D
ETTV: http://www.gamestv.org/event/9794-germany-vs-slovenia/

That's your Monday evening sorted, courtesy of ClanBase NationsCup! Tune in from 21:00 CET.

Welcome to the first Crossfire Prediction League! It's long been tradition for members and players to predict the evening’s matches. So we thought, why not spice up the predictions and offer a competitive nature?! With that goal, the Crossfire Prediction League was born. The Crossfire Prediction League will allow members to compete amongst themselves over the period of a competition to show they've the best knowledge of the scene!

What is this?

A simple league of predictions garnered through the comments made in the news on Crossfire. A weekly table will be updated and published each Monday showing the winners & the losers of that week. At the end of the selected competition, the totals will be tallied and the winners announced.

How do I enter?

It's simple! Just add a comment in the relevant news for that days matches of the ClanBase NationsCup & that's your prediction made. The cut off date for predictions will be the scheduled start time, and predictions made after this point will be void. There's no correct format to enter, but clarity helps! (i.e. GamesTV 6 4 Crossfire)

How does it work?

It's simple! Each correct prediction will be awarded a score and entered into the league. Each correct score prediction earns 3 points (i.e. Crossfire 8 6 GamesTV) and each correct winner earns 1 point (i.e. GamesTV > Crossfire). At the end of the competition the points will be collated and the winners announced! Make sure you get your prediction in for each & every match!

What if I change my nick?

It’s simple! Just contact the CPL admin and your nickname will be changed on the database.

How is this different to GBooky?

Discretely! There’s very little difference ["cheap immitation"] other than this allows users to bet on an individual match score and offers an end game. Everyone loves to gamble, play both!

What can I win?

Everyone loves to be top dog, and they love it even more when there’s something on offer. But as this is a brief trial period we're still working on a suitable prize. Dependent on the success of the competition, we aim to be back bigger and better for future events and with a sponsor onboard!

When does it start?

From Monday 02 March 2009 and all ClanBase NationsCup matches thereafter.

That’s the blurb done with. Get out there, get watching and get predicting!

Forget Liverpool, forget Real Madrid, forget Chelsea and forget Juventus – Group C is hotting up and tonight we’ve a cracker. Hungarian might versus Belgian brawn, David versus Goliath, this match should be worth the wait.

Group C has been somewhat wrongly overlooked of late, mainly thanks to the riotous action over in Group B, and the complete capitulation of the Dutch team. But it's no less interesting.

Flying the flag for Asian Enemy Territory, Japan surprisingly currently sit top of the group, having played three won two, their first and only loss being at the hands of tonight’s contender, Belgium.

Belgium are the only team in Group C to have retained a 100% winning record, joining the ranks alongside just two other nations in the competition; Poland and Germany, granted, having played just one match, but an impressive match it was. They overturned the giant killing Japanese and placed themselves in pole position as group favourites. Their opponents tonight have had a less successful start to the campaign, losing their first and only match to the Switzerland team (Canada controversy aside) – and it only gets tougher from there. They’ve a monumental task ahead to avoid the unenviable title of wooden spoon award, having yet to win a map.

The map selection of Battery should offer some hope to Hungary, assuming they've put in the hours practice - though it'll take more than hope to avoid a whitewash tonight. Especially considering the second map of Supply, a map that rarely goes to the underdog and one which you'd expect Belgium to be strong on.

It’s ClanBase NationsCup, it’s Group C, it’s Enemy Territory – where will you be [cuser]?

Belgium vs Hungary

Time: 21:00 CET
Maps: sw_battery / Supply
League: ClanBase NationsCup, Group C
Japan (2/1)
Switzerland (1/2)
Belgium (1/0)
Estonia (1/1)
Hungary (0/1)
ETTV: http://www.gamestv.org/event/9616-belgium-vs-hungary/

Spicing up the evenings offering sees u|k whoring sWat compete in the ClanBase European Ladder. Their opponents, none other than inteRaction. Can the Czech’s put an end to sWat clans four match winning spree? The GamesTV betting public seem to think so…

inteRaction vs sWat clan

Time: 21:30 CET
Maps: Bremen_b2 / sw_goldrush_te
League: ClanBase European 6v6 Ladder
ETTV: http://www.gamestv.org/event/9807-swat-vs-interaction/

Enjoy the action!

Beat off the Monday blues this evening and settle back to another treat thanks to the kind people of GamesTV. You’ve a total of twelve matches to pick from, allowing the addict to spend his entire evening watching nothing but ETTV! But for the less dedicated, here’s the pick of the day.

To kick off the evenings action you’ve a tough choice, pleasing the lovers of both formats of the ETTV watching public. You could enjoy the delights of mamut versus disposable in the EU Winners Bracket of the ETPro league, in what the GamesTV betting public consider a white wash for mamut. With Reload, Night and Drago representing mamut it’ll be a match worth watching. “It’s going to be epic?”

mamut.si vs disposable

Time: 21:00 CET
League: EU ETPro League
Maps: tba
ETTV: GamesTV

Running consecutively, for the 6v6 purist is Crossfire Challenge champions h2k Gaming taking on the indistinguishable Cortana. H2k are without rifler gifty but should have the finesse to finish off Cortana.

Cortana vs H2k Gaming

Time: 21:00 CET
League: ESL Winter
Maps: tba
ETTV: GamesTV

Starting just thirty minutes later it’s crunch time in Group B of the ClanBase Nationscup. France are looking to build on their impressive victory over the United Kingdom and book their place in the playoff stages, whilst Austria will be eager to get their night off to a winning start. A win tonight for either team keeps the group closeGroup B Ranking

Czech Republic (3/0)
Finland (3/0)
France (1/1)
Netherlands (1/1)
Austria (0/2)
United Kingdom (0/3) and the action tense. Tune in from 21:30 CET!

France vs Austria

Time: 21:30 CET
League: ClanBase NationsCup
Maps: sw_battery / supply
ETTV: GamesTV

Closing off the evening sees the Crossfire populous cheer on the Dutch in the clash of the night. It’s the Netherlands and Austria. An encounter that should go the way of the form books, but this competition, and this group have already offered surprises. Can Austria finish off the beast, already injured by their managers departure and destroy the hopes of the Dutch faithful?

Netherlands vs Austria

Time: Rescheduled
League: ClanBase Nationscup
Maps: sp_delivery / sw_goldrush_te
ETTV: GamesTV

Head down to the shops, pick up your beverage of choice and settle back for a night of Enemy Territory!