VanillaTF2

The latest episode of eXtelevision features a match up on badlands is between Team Thermaltake and 2stroNg! This is from ESL Season 7. It’s produced by Lucky Luke and commentated by eXtine.

From the ESEA-Intermediate Playoffs comes this lower bracket finals match up between iDemise and Area 51. The map is cp_gullywash_imp3.
It is a double elimination tournament, with both teams being dealt an initial loss by New Directions. They are fighting for the right to re-match New Directions in the Grand Finals of the playoffs. Produced and commentated by eXtine

iSeries has ended. None of the competitive teams decided to make an effort and show up, except for Tt, who lost in the finals to some div7 also-thermaltake shitnerds.

It wasn’t the prize money being too low (higher than i39/i40), or the date that was bad (same as i39), teams simply decided not to bother.
TCM, Dignitas, Redcode and Power Gaming, they all decided not to show up. This is how a game dies. The veterans no longer care.

100% of prem teams @ i42

We all booed DrGonzo, for his article on how small TF2 was at i41, claiming how it was intentional, that i42 would show TF2 going strong again. But we’ve failed, i42 was nothing special, not anywhere close to the spectacle that was i39/i40.

So what’s on the horizon for TF2? The best thing that might happen is a proper TF2 tournament at Dreamhack, partly sponsored by Valve maybe? Is this going to happen? Only dunc knows.

Stealing Dignitas' seats

On a positive note, the casting/coverage was at least as good or even better than it has been for earlier iSeries. Cadred had some excellent articles and TF2TV covered all the matches that mattered.

But good coverage is not going to keep the game alive. It’s good tournaments with decent prize money and high level teams attending, showing off great games of TF2 for big crowds. We’ve done this before, what’s keeping us from doing this again?

Arie

It’s that time again. Here are a couple of panel list round up arguements:

Kaidus

If you don’t play you don’t get paid, and the same can be said for how my rankings fall onto paper once again this month. Last time around a lot of jaws dropped at how some of the numbers turned out, but would you really prefer to see the same top five month in month out based on the reputation of players who’d rather opt out of every competition this month? I’d hope not.

Admirable

Ah I find my usual rhetoric of money talks troubling me again this month. ButtonBashers and Epsilon eSports scooped the big dough from under the Frogs noses at MaxLAN, and yet both teams fucked it up in the ESH. Granted ButtonBashers came up against a resurrected TCM-Gaming side eager to prove a point, but Epsilon were a shadow of their former selves losing to upstarts, Blame.

Get all the rest, over at Cadred.

A lot can happen in the world of TF2 in just a week. As I predicted last week, Eternity have bit the dust, without even playing their game against K1ck. That came as no surprise. But what did surprise us was the team of I Don’t Know? folding. After picking up the Russian scout tandem of KondoR and skyhigh, the team never looked stronger. Just as quickly as they came, though, they went. Both scouts suddenly lost interest in the game, leaving the team without any real direction. To give you an indication of just how desperate the team were, they even asked GibbZ to join. With these two teams dropping at such an early stage, we’re left with 8 teams in the Premier Division. This means that there will be three games per week (except in week 4 – where idk? and Eternity were originally scheduled to play each other), meaning that this article will be rather short. Luckily, ESL’s Season 7 is just about to start, so that should give me a lot more to write about.

Read more for the predictions – Honeymustard

Note: I’m crossposting this week old article from mygamingedge.com – a few things have happened since then (TCM and Blame played their game – 5-0, 4-3 and idk? and Eternity folded).

ETF2L’s Season 9 has kicked started this week, with Badlands and a surprising choice in Warmfront (an “improved” version of Coldfront). These teams know Badlands inside-out, but most teams have struggled to find time to practice the unfamiliar Warmfront. The map could throw some upsets, though most of the games seem to be one sided affair.

Read more to get all the details! – Honeymustard

Tonight, we’ll have the pleasure of seeing Team Byte / TCM vs Fakkelbrigade / Thermaltake. -It’s the established organization within TF2 with a new lineup vs an established team with a brand spanking new corporate overlord! It’s the ESH full tilt poker challenge (make sure browse all the org sites for links that will allow you to play poker).

As often the case, it’s been another tournament filled with surprises and upsets. Most notably, Epsilon’s demise against “Princess” in the 3rd round. Yes, a new form of previous div2/1 players beating the recent ETF2L premiership champion. The 2 finalists have had 2 very different routes to the top. TCM had to fend off established premiership teams like RedCode, Power and ButtonBashers – meanwhile Thermaltake plowed through Knights, Infused and Princess without even dropping a point.

Brackets: ESH

It’s gonna be a spectacle, commented by  Nvc and Greg on TF2tv’s livestream. The mumble cast will not feature commenting, but ingame comms by Thermaltake. If you know of more casts/medias, make sure to let us know in comments!

TCM-Gaming Byte, Flisko, Pena, Coinz, Skinnie, Anty

21

Team Thermaltake Dorkan, Fisshu, Mirelin (badboy), Exfane, Kaidus, Leon

Esports Heaven ESH Final

(46 comments)

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TIME

• Tuesday March 22nd
• 21:15 cet
• 15:15 est (na)
• 05:15 est (aus)

CASTED BY

• M0retv Livestream
• M0retv Mumble

SOURCETV

• fakkelbrigade.eu:27100

Who will win this match?

• FakkelBrigade (55%, 81 Votes)
  
• TCM-Gaming (42%, 62 Votes)
  
• Tie (3%, 4 Votes)
  

Total Voters: 147

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MAPSSCORE

DEMO

VIDEO

cp_granary3-4SourceTV

cp_gullywash5-3SourceTV

cp_badlands4-2SourceTV

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- Torden

I’ve expressed my fascination by Fakkelbrigade before, and If you think I’m biased, you’re probably right. It’s not just that 2 of the members are close on- and offline friends of mine – but it’s the fact that they are currently one of very few teams I consider to be giving something back to the community. The work with providing TF2 with non ddos servers and relays is just the start of it. You’ll find few (or none) with as good of a track record on being timely, respectful and fair to their opponent and playing their best every time they enter the field. Respect.

You can read more of that (+ biased info) in my previous Cadred piece about the team.
Luckily, Greg has written a proper article about FB and TT – Cadred.

As of today, Fakkelbrigade finally takes their first steps in the the world of Multigaming Organizations. Their new partner: Team Thermaltake. It’s been a long time coming, and when these guys finally get the ink out, you know it’s not just for anybody. The once humble band of brothers who started off in an internet café downtown Utrecht slowly started letting go of its geographical roots, gaining a steady momentum towards the top. With 4-8 generations of players on their back, their latest roster is currently looking set to make an impact on the top end, this upcoming season.

The team is currently signed up for ESL and ETF2L leagues and are set for attending i42 this upcoming April 22nd – 25th. They will also be playing the ESH finals this coming Tuesday against “Byte’s team”.

Read more for lineup, statement and info
- Torden