NewsBits

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

Before I head off to look at TV sets I can't afford here's a bit of news.

• planet half-life takes a look at an article posted on gotlag entitled "the half-life 'what if?' sheet." a bit obvious at times but it mentions cs and is worth a look.
  
  
  
  
• keeping up with trendy names the good people at gotfrag are covering the wcg usa finals which are in full swing today. first round match information is right here.
  
  
  
  
• remember the esea? yeah, well torbull was interviewed by gotfrag and talks about everything you could want to know relating to the latest startup in the esports industry.
  
  
  
  
• and as long as we're stealing unrelated news from planet half-life here's a nice half-life 2 wallpaper by killswitch.

So what's the story with plasma displays?

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

Vince raised his weapon as he lifted the cellar door. He ignored the blood seeping into his right eye from the large gash above his eyebrow and peered into the foul darkness below. He had been right. There, faintly lit by the light streaming in from the half-ajar door, were the NewsBits, casually snacking on the brains of Vince's colleague.

• fugitive has updated his fugitive cs script. the new version is called fcs n.e., which stands for new edition, and is not to be confused with bobby brown's popular 80's hip-hop group. go check out fugitive cs script.
  
  
  
  
• krystalpak v1.0 is a recently released sound effect pack designed to enhance your counter-strike experience. its author claims over 400 new sounds for this pack, covering weapons, ambient sounds, buttons, helicopters, player sounds, and much more. it even comes with a handy installer.
  
  
  
  update #2: the installer for this pack is now working correctly.
  
  
  
  
• the ugc league is beginning their fourth season of competitive play, and looking for more clans to join up. prizes for divisional playoff winners this season include private clan servers. find out more about ugc here.
  
  
  
  
• if you're bored, why not read a couple of these articles covering recent studies on videogame violence, seeing as how it never ever gets mentioned in the news [/sarcasm]. night_crawler sent in this zdnet article about the positive aspects of gaming, while pablo_m123 sent in these two from a japanese news site claiming that games make kids more likely to act out violence and games decrease brain activity. however, a recent cs-nation study has found that studies are not worth studying.

Vince reacted immediately, pulling an incendiary grenade from his belt and tossing it into the cellar. The NewsBits were incinerated, but there were more out there in the woods beyond the building. They wanted his brains. They were coming for him.

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

In the wake of the Half-Life 2 commotion we have missed a bit of news so here's a run down on what's up:

• united admins has released version 1.20 of the web based statistical player and clan rankings system known as hlstats. you know you want it.
  
  
  
  
• the united gaming clans league is starting its 4th season of competetive play with divisions for all skill levels. interested? sign up.
  
  
  
  
• two popular european counter-strike teams have been interviewed by clanbase. it mostly covers some upcoming matches but is worth a read if you're a fan of 4kings or mtw.
  
  
  
  
• phpadmin has been upgraded to version 3. it now functions as a full server administration tool with a php backend for logging bans, handling rcon functions, reserved slots, and much more. all the details can be found right here.
  
  
  
  
• demofreak 0.60b has been released. this utility allows you to watch half-life recorded demos with ease with a host of other features, so check that out if you're in need.
  
  
  
  
• cliffe has started some sort of cs nostalgia project and is looking for older cs related material.

That about wraps it up for now.

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

Those lovable newsbits that you enjoy dearly are back... with a vengeance.

• gamers.nu updated their trademark ask gamers feature for you all to read. plus, they have written a new article on what hardware, such as the type of mouse or mousepad, professional gamers seem to be using currently. along with a free membership, you can read the new articles by clicking with your $5 mouse and wooden mousepad right here.
  
  
  
  
• gotfrag has taken the time to interview angel munoz, founder of the cpl. if you're starving for more articles, you can catch the lengthy and informative interview just by clicking here.
  
  
  
  
• united admins want your help! specifically, the hlstats team is in need of more members with experience in php, perl, mysql, etc. if you believe you fufill their requirements, head over for more information.
  
  
  
  
• zex, and its zebra ways, has assured that their site will be finally revised for tonight. this will be the third redesign of their website, so remember to check on the status of their page by heading right over here.

Sadly it seems there are no signs of more newsbits. But before you start crying yourself to sleep with pink tissues, there will be always more in later times.

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

Did you miss them? Apparently, they're back and let us get to it, friend.

• gotfrag has updated its official cs rankings, and is interesting to see some changes in the world rankings. in addition, midway has updated his playbook feature, focusing this time on 3d. in it, midway speaks primarily on what is needed for the "once crown jewel" to regain its top spot. you should definitely check it out right now.
  
  
  
  
• punk ass fraggers released their 5th cs conversion pack, the paf cs ultimate splash pack v 4.0. this is a high quality pack that replaces over 400 stock cs files, so get downloading.
  
  
  
  
• csbanana wants your maps! if you feel you have some great talents in mapping, wish to submit, and desire to get it noticed through that lovely fruit cs site, then go right ahead.
  
  
  
  
• hltv.org conducted an interview with the owner of team9. the article deals with the upcoming cxg tournament, past few matches they have played, and some comparisons between team9 and adrenaline[gx]. interested? then click right here for the great article.

That is all for this time, so relax and be patient for another session.

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

After a long, menacing, seemingly never ending drought, the newsbits are back and bittier than ever! Scroll down and bask yourself to the bits; your newsbits deprived eyes will thank you gladly.

• esreality selected element from that certain clan with the letters s and k, for their player of 2003 award. they have conducted a rather short, but still captivating interview with mr. moum.
  
  
  
  
• csbanana has recently showcased the top ten "rolf" and keep your dayjob entries. both features some quite amusing and just downright inscrutable mascot entries for csb. for those interested, you may take a glance right here.
  
  
  
  
• twisted portal wants your help by sending several questions aimed at the famed team 3d. this is your chance in asking questions on any topic as "all questions will be asked." have a question for one of most respected clans? ask away here.

Like a Saturday night, this session of newsbits have come to an abrupt and unfortunate end. When will they be back? Time will only tell.

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

Buckle up and brace yourself. It is time for yet another newsbits roundup.

• united admins reports that "tools have been made available that can hack into united admins black list." this means the ua-bl will be closed until the release of hlguard 1.7, which will feature an overhauled security system. ua is currently looking for new hlguard coders, so stop on by to find out additional information should you be interested.
  
  
  
  
• csbanana, and all their caps-lock ways, added 13 additional skins. although a minor update, make sure to check them out sometime soon.
  
  
  
  
• egir, a talented mapper, has recently released a new map creation, de_slap, that was featured on counter-server maps and received much praise. while nothing that will blow your mind, feel free to test it out.
  
  
  
  
• sogamed conducted a short and simple interview with virtus pro, the team that managed to beat well known teams such as schroet kommando and noa at the eswc 2004 tournament. read what the team had to say.
  
  
  
  
• speaking of sk and noa, both teams have featured new mousepads. sk contributed to the development of the latest steelpad mouse surface, the steelpad s&s. noa, on the other hand, featured the new x-ray aqua3 clothpad on their website.

Now wasn't that fun? Make sure to keep your eyes open (as I am currently doing on a very lonely, dark, and depressing hollow empty shell of a room at 4:38 AM...) for another newsbits session shortly.

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

Everything from live interviews to animated sprays are in store for you in this newsbits roundup.

• Team Sportscast Network will interview Jason Lake from compLexity Syndicate to address several questions from the general community on TsN's "In The Crosshair" segment over a live broadcast. Make sure to tune in this Thursday.
  
  
  
  
• It seems every site from Gamespot to your cousin's blog nobody ever reads has a review of Counter-Strike: Source. With that said, you can add GamerzAlliance to the bunch with their latest review. Everything including audio, visuals, gameplay, and the rest have been thoroughly judged so why not have a peek at what they had to say?
  
  
  
  
• Who is Brian "Destrukt" Flander, aka DKT? If you are puzzled by such a question, this lengthy interview conducted by E-Sports Entertainment Association will definitely enlighten you. If you have a minute, or ten, to spare, why not read an interview of the man they call "the legend".
  
  
  
  
• Have you ever wanted your very own animated spray in Counter-Strike: Source? Thanks to lillbrorsan's step by step guide in creating such a spray found at the Steam Users Forums, now your dreams have finally come true. Check it out!

Tell your cousin I'm not sorry.

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

Map rotations, gaming advertisements, reviews, and other random items await you in this session of newsbits.

• The Cyberathlete Professional League has released the official maplist rotation for use in the upcoming 2004 Winter Championships. The recently unveiled CPL map, de_cpl_strike, will be, in fact, utilized for match play while both de_cbble and de_aztec are unfortunately absent from this year's rotation. Somewhere in a dark and cold backalley next to a vast estate with the faint echo of a screeching train lies DaveJ and narby weeping uncontrollably...
  
  
  
  
• SK-Gaming and Intel launched a new gaming advertisement featuring the infamous SK.swe CS division exclusive to The ingame.NETWORK. It should be noted that this sleek and professional advertisement will be aired over German television. Zu kühl!
  
  
  
  
• Mod Database reviewed Counter-Strike: Source in a complete, solid overview accompanied with several helpful screenshots. Click here to read what Mod Database had to say regarding CS: Source.
  
  
  
  
• WhUtDuFuK wrote a useful guide in creating a backup of Steam cache files. This useful writeup comes just in time for the upcoming Half-Life 2 so do get reading.

Remember kids, drive safely!

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

Another session of newsbits comes yet another lame title. Enjoy!

• Nordicgamers has interviewed Moses from TEC, a team that has done exceptionally well last season in CAL-invite. In this lengthy feature, Moses speaks on different topics ranging from factors in making Counter-Strike more mainstream to TEC's dissapointing performance in the recent Winter CPL tournament. Click here to check it out.
  
  
  
  
• Additionally, Nordicgamers also conducted a one on one session with Frod from the Complexity Syndicate. Plenty of content is in store for you, so I suggest you read all about it.
  
  
  
  
• Team Sportscast Network returns just in time to cover the starting night of the final season of CAL-invite for Counter-Strike 1.6. Along with comprehensive coverage of the Team 3D vs WEW match on de_cpl_strike, select topics about recent changes in the SK-Gaming organization, top American teams, an interview with Daniel Frome (aka The_Family_God), and much more are in store for you. Click here for the full scoop.
  
  
  
  
• If you are in or close to New York City, then do mark your calendars. On January 15, Sal "Volcano" Garozzo from Team 3D will be present at the web2zone Cyber Center in New York City for the PNY Counter-Strike Challenge. Anybody, from casual spectators to competitors, can challenge Volcano in a 1v1 CS duel (please leave those brass knuckles and/or blunt objects at home, thank you) where the victor will receive 5 raffle tickets for chances to win great prizes. See, all that 1v1 training in a teamwork-based multiplayer game such as Counter-Strike can pay off (in the form of raffle tickets that is)!
  
  
  
  
• For the ClanWars fans out there, The_Family_God (director) needs your help! FilePlanet is holding a "Best Movie of 2004" contest, and as you might imagine, ClanWars is a candidate for said category. Currently, it is anyone's ballgame at this point, so make sure to vote for ClanWars!

Now vamoose before you enter my belly.

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

• Recently, Xfire, an online gaming tool, has come under attack by the one and only Yahoo for patent infringement. However, Xfire stands strong, and simply states their tool "does not infringe the Yahoo patent". You may read the official response from Xfire to this ordeal.
  
  
  
  
• Norwegian e-Sports Community interviewed HeatoN of the newly reformed Ninjas in Pyjamas. In this brief session, HeatoN speaks about future plans for NiP. Check what HeatoN had to say here.

Obligatory introductions to newsbits seem way too redundant. But wait, shouldn't you be out enjoying Corporate Day?

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

There are many happenings in the Counter-Strike universe, so why not recap in a fine newsbits format.

• After a long delay, The Z Project is proud to announce the release of the latest version of their HLGuard anti-cheat tool. An abundant amount of bugs have been fixed, along with new features. Grab the latest release today.
  
  
  
  
• CS-Evolution has a walkthrough from the Terrorist perspective of the recently released official Counter-Strike: Source map, cs_compound, for the lazy man. Grunt here and grrr this fine walkthrough after you fetch me some fish and start a nice, cozy fire. Time is money.
  
  
  
  
• Counter-Hack is in the reorganization stage, and as an effect, the current crew is seeking a good number of helpful people to join the team. Every position from cartoonist to programmer are available. Should you be interested, click here for the full information.

Keep a lookout for the next batch of newsbits.

[CSN NewsBot]

NewsBits

Taken from the book of DchozN, comes another round of Counter-Strike newsbits! Tonight we focus on CAL plugins, tournaments, interviews, and maybe just a hint of oregano thrown in for good measure.

• Last night, CAL released the CAL Server Plugin to be used on all Source match servers immediately. This plugin ensures that all client side cvars are of an acceptable value to participate in the match.
  
  
  
  
• NordicGamers has conducted an interview with Natu, a former member of Finnish team D-skyline. Find out how this pro lives his life and how he is enjoying his role on his new team, Team Astralis.
  
  
  
  
• Gamespace recently wrapped up their first ever prize league featuring a 2 vs. 2 Source ladder. The grand prize winner, Ceteris Paribus, took away $1360 in winnings.
  
  
  
  
• PDXPO, touted as the Northwest's largest technology EXPO's will kick off on August 11, 2005 to the tune of 15,000 technology and gaming enthusiasts all coming in one location. The event, being held in conjunction with PDXLAN will combine 300 technology booths touting the latest in computer hardware. Be sure and check out the PDXPO site for more details.

I feel as though I just stole one of DchozN's babies.

[asspennies]

That only took 4 hours. Not bad.

[TorchedN00dle]

Hey, I only had it for 25 minutes though, and half that time I made cookies.