2004

News

- December 29, 2004 -

General News:

(IRC Networks: #silent_service on EnterTheGame.com and GameSurge.net)

Did everyone get what they wanted for Christmas? I did. =)

Just a lot of free time at the moment with holidays and all. Glad to see all the hustle and bustle within team ss on gaming. I've had the chance to speak with some of our new teammates over on Gamesurge.net. They appear to be a solid and good group of players. Game on.

Given that Team ss is old school roots in net quake and quakeworld, I was given this link to view. This QW community will not die! Kudos to Def and his squad of players keeping that game and community actively competing. As a bit of trivia, Def was once a team ss member years ago as was Yogic. (Thanks to Traxler for the info.)

Current League(s):

[A Gaming team playing CS-Cal League, AA, enjoyed Doom 3, and finally playing HL2. CS:S Cal League is in its early set up stages.]

One liner: "CS:S anyone?"

      - ss-sirdark

- December 24, 2004 -

General News:

(IRC Networks: #silent_service on EnterTheGame.com and GameSurge.net)

[A Gaming team playing CS, AA, enjoyed Doom 3, and finally HL2. CSS is expected real soon.]

Since my last post a few months ago, QCon2004 ended and many of us reverted back to our normal lives of work, school, and other priorities. The basic structure of Team ss has NOT changed. We remain a mature group of On Line Gamers on different game platforms. The last three months demonstrate that even though we may not be actively competing in any specific game, we remain dedicated to sticking together and "waiting for the next big game." Even if not everyone jumps on the next big game, they remain loyal and true SS members. They remain supportive, enhancing, and every challenging SS to be its best. And what is that? A place where loyal gamers can be called equals and have a great time gaming.

Current League(s):

A while back when Doom3 came out, many of us joined GGL's Doom 3 1on1 league. It was a great start, an initial attempt to build on a great game. However, it was plagued with no MOD support for Doom3. Many in-game bugs and pixel hacks allowed many people to cheat. This took (for many of us) the air out of our sails. Many of us decided not to attempt to honestly compete with a game flawed where people openly cheated or vowed to cheat simply because they were NOT able to ensure their opponents where NOT cheating. This among other issues in my humble opinion quickly killed any chance of Doom3 becoming larger than it did. We had also singed up to Deja.Vu Doom 3 2on2 tourney. However, organizers of this event also felt it a waste to even TRY to begin a competitive event when the gaming scene was riddled with hacks. This event never got off the ground. Sad.

Once again, we want to Congratulate ss-air for playing hard and awesomely on GGL's Q3 1on1 tourney. He was a force to be delt with. At one point, he was ranked #3. He ended ranked #5. GJ ss-air (profile)

A big THANKS to ss-spike for willingness lead a new Team SS squad in CS. You may say, "wth?" Team ss was and is always to game when a good standing member has the knack for a game. The idea is also to ensure it has a chance to last. ss-spike demonstrated a willingness to lead the squad. He has a great squad playing on GameSurge.net IRC, channel #silent_service. Stop in and visit.

Since my last post, we have recruited a new member named, Zifnab. He joins us in good standing. I hope to get more info from ss-spike on our CS team and post some news on their gaming, members, and activities.

On a final note on this Christmas Eve: Merry Merry!!!!! Hope you get what you wished for.

One liner: "HL2 is the shizzle"

      - ss-sirdark

- August 9, 2004 -

General News: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

[ A team playing AA, waiting on HL2, and having a great time ENJOYING Doom 3 .]

Doom 3 is not perfect multiplayer wise, but its a decent start. Word has it that TEAM ABUSE is doing the code for the OSP version for the game. It is gonna rock. I, for one, am very grateful for Team Abuse. They provide a great support structure that otherwise, this FPS gaming community would struggle to meet.

Stay up to speed within our forum topic on Doom 3. I can't hear you if you don't post.

Quakecon 2004 starts this week. Time to game big-time. I hope to get us some pics from the event.

 

Current League(s): GGL's Doom 3 1on1 league, Deja.Vu Doom 3 2on2 tourney

Several of us are actively playing (for the experience) on GGL's Doom 3 league). It is fun and exciting given the newness of the game.

I won't overlook the fact that ss-air has been on GGL's web site as a member for a while. He has been quietly playing/competing in their Q3 1on1 league. He is presently ranked #5. GJ ss-air (profile)

I want to thank ss-spike for his eagerness and willingness to play in Deja.Vu's 2on2 tourney. News is forthcoming. As of now, ss-spike, ss-noaim, and ss-sirdark are on the team.

We await Zoltar's return.

 

One liner: "Doom 3 + Quakecon2004 = total ownage"

      - ss-sirdark

- August 3, 2004 -

General News: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

[ A team playing AA, waiting on HL2, and we have sampled PainKiller (not recommended for online gaming.]

The only other news that needs announcing is that Doom 3 is finally out and we are all ACTIVELY playing it.

Read within our forum topic on Doom 3. Post away.

 

Current League(s): GGL's Doom 3 1on1 league

As of right now, Quakecon 2004 starts in about 1 week. We are hyped.

Spike welcome on board as a full member.

Zoltar trial period ends Aug. 6, 2004 and we are awaiting his return. He is relocating and will be back shortly.

 

One liner: "Doom 3 (what else?) "

      - ss-sirdark

- July 20, 2004 -

General News: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

[ A team playing AA, waiting on Doom3 & HL2, and we have sampled PainKiller. ]

Current League(s): N/A

As of right now, Quakecon 2004 begins in 3 weeks, 1 day, 12 hours, and 33 mins.

Many of us remain quite excited as it will be another great event being planned this year. At this moment, we have the following Team SS member signed up as attending (insert "silent" for clan name):

• ss-noaim *
• ss-gringo
• ss-donka
• ss-flop
• ss-sirdark *
• ss-cyb3rene

* - the following are signed up for the Q3 1on1 tournament and are wait listed

We are also very excited as Doom3 is set to be released on August 2, 2004. There is to be a tournament set up at quakecon featuring this new release. The story is that the playing field should be as leveled as possible given its release and then days later have a tournament. As the quakecon web site reports, "Doom3 registration will done be AT THE EVENT."

Spike trial period ends July 26, 2004

Zoltar trial period ends Aug. 6, 2004

I am waiting to hear tournament reports back from ss-noaim and ss-energy. They were/are in an Q3 UFREEZE 2on2 tournament.

One liner: "QC2004 or bust ."

      - ss-sirdark

- July 3, 2004 -

General News: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

[ A team playing AA, waiting on Doom3 & HL2, and we have sampled Painkiller ]

Current League(s):

We began about 2 months ago wanting to play as Team ss in CTL2 Q3 TDM. We did have an initial game for seeding then summer arrived. Many of us opted to remain visible in IRC but inactive for hard core gaming on line, specifically for q³ recently. This doesn't mean we are packing it in. It means we are here but want to also enjoy some summer fun.

To that end and while we wait over summer for the next "bug game," I mentioned previously that several of us bought Painkiller The game was released with many problems. In fact, I waited until their 3 patch release before I was actually able to play the game. I was unable to run the game. The CD spun endlessly w/out launching the game (even after installing the 1st and 2nd patch ). This was frustrating to many gamers. I really believe it killed any chances for the game to get a strong foothold in the gaming community and also killed the likelihood of potential gamers to use it as the next competitive FPS platform.

Thus, here is where we are now. No real game here yet (other than Far Cry, Call of Duty, et al) and many people resorting to reinstalling quakeworld and playing quake3. To insult to injury, Quakecon 2004 is right around the corner. QC2004 is set for early August 2004. To date, there has not been any announcement of what game would be used for their annual 1on1 ladder competition. This has raised concerns with many gamers especially since some of them would be coming from overseas. As such, many have decided NOT to attend since they have not had a chance to practice whatever game was to be played. According to notes, QC2003 made its announcement 7-8 months before the event giving gamers time to practice, practice and practice some more.

We are also very happy to have two people desiring to join us. I can truly say, that Spike has been around a while and is now in this one month trial period with us. Spike has been active within the gaming community on-line, spins CDs as he DJs online, and enjoying having fun gaming. Spike is from Canada [and that's ok too =). ] Zoltar is our other new recruit and has expressed interest in joining our team. He has great skill in FPS, specifically Q3 1on1. Rumor has it he is deadly on dm17. Don't believe me? Ask him in #silent_service IRC ETG for a round or two. We wish these two gamers the best in their upcoming trial period. Zoltar is from Texas.

ss-noaim and ss-energy are keeping themselves busy and maintaining sharp skillz as they joined a Q3 UFREEZE 2on2 tournament. More on this soon.

One liner: "Happy 4th of July, America."

      - ss-sirdark

- May 5, 2004 -

General News: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

[ A team playing AA, waiting on Doom3 and HL2, while trying out Painkiller ]

Current League(s): CTL 2 - Chaotic Q3 TDM Tournament (invite)

Time flies when you are having fun. Team ss having tons of fun. So much so, we idle, say "hello," and then leave. Many of us remain very happy being who we are, and knowing who we aren't. I believe our team has evolved and matured to knowing what is important in life. On-line gaming is only but a small part of that life.

Ltrain has "gotten" himself a woman and thus we are very happy for him. In fact, we get more visits from chanserv's wife in our channel than we do Ltrain. Keep it real Mr LT.

Pureluck continues to forge ahead and complete his Higher Level EJUMACATION. We are already practicing calling him "Dr." Regardless of how busy he is, its fun to see him rail enemies to death with one hand tied behind his back, and his eyes closed (screams in frustration =)).

Air has been seen dancing around servers giving Q3 1on1 lessons. I say he should open up a school and be granted the title of "master."

Genx claims to be busy working and going to school.

Mac-Daddy is out hunting pigs, or deer, or wild boar...or something unnatural!

Donka was last seen signing up for the Russian Army and going to Iraq. Watch out you Iraqi's.

Gringo is busy getting us all tickets to go see a Houston Astros game. Go Rockets!

Warchild is busy making cheese, lifting weights, coaching basketball and living the life fantastic.

Blewout is really a bot and just sits there.

Noaim is playing Painkiller and Quake3 and has taught the best of them how to frag!

Strings is our FUN IN THE SUN MAN from Hawaii. Aloha!!!

Hollywood is busy making sure our air conditioners in Texas are fully charged and running properly.

Iceolate is KING AFK.

BushViper just plain rocks. He is the RIFLE instructor at a local Army base.

Energy doesn't have any (energy).

Kovu has stopped in and said "wasup" only to get kicked-banned.

sB is busy enforcing traffic laws as a Missouri Judge while playing it up as a DISCO JOCKEY Saturday nights.

Zenmachine is giving AA lessons on how NOT to die. He is our resident FRAG RATE mater for America's Army.

Wasp has yet to be seen saying anything other than... "Is painkiller out?"

Cyber3ne is busy selling stuff.

Sirdark is busy watching Cyber3ne sell stuff as he rakes in the $$$.

Who did I miss? Siwy, Kvm, Shaka, and Thrush have been sited in Mexico somewhere. If anyone hears from them, tell them they buy the next ROUNDS at our next LAN PARTY.

 

Other than that Team ss is fine. You may have noticed above that we received an invite to CTL2 Q3 TDM. We polled our squad and they want to play. "Let's Roll." Several of us have also bought PainKiller. The game seems fine, if you can run it. At the time of print, problems still exist in running the game. CD spins endlessly w/out launching the game (even after installing patch after patch...arghh).

Quakecon 2004 is also slated for August. Once again, several of us have signed up along with other IRC buds. We'll see who all goes and shows up. No, I'm not taking the Z4. EOS.

 

One liner: "Happy CINCO de MAYO."

      - ss-sirdark

- March 12, 2004 -

General News: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): none

Team ss has been idle these last few months. The reasons vary from work, school, gfs, mistresses (in Noaim's case), etc. What is true is that those who remain are the same core group that continues to make ss what it is. And what is that? A place that many desire to be, but few can. A place many wish they could emulate, but cannot as imitation is the truest form of flattery. A place that many of us have come to know as on-line home. No false pretenses, no bs...a place where we have fun. No pressures at the moment, no screaming at each other, and no people believing that they are the next PRO GAMING GOD.

Thank gawd for a good start to the year.

Since I missed many of the recent holidays, here are some fine wishes: (if I miss one, remind me by posting in our ss forum. )

• Happy New Year 2004
• Happy President's Day
• Happy Martin Luther King's Jr Birthday

Notable birthdays from team ss include: (in no order)

• Ltrain
• Noaim
• Thrush
• friends of ss include:
  • Twiz
  • Pure Imaginary
  • USA Jester_SSGT

Well, here we go. Another year of online gaming wonder. As I sit here and type away...I remember that we also wait for at least 3 BIG games this year:

1. Doom 3
2. Half Life 2
3. PainKiller

 

One liner: "one step at a time..."

      - ss-sirdark