ARCHIVES: TUESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 1997 - TUESDAY 11TH MARCH 1997

QUAKE IS COMING HOME, IT'S COMING HOME, IT'S...

Ole, ole ole ole, we are the champions...

The US, it seems, have forever been trying to get a team together with which to challenge Canada. Well, we've beaten them to it, it would seem: we have played and won the first Quake International Match, against the might of Sweden.

FK-Fuckall reports:

"We've been hearing Okkun, the Swedish Champion was lurking around UK servers in the last few nights. Incidentally Jhoni-Bo and FuckAll caught him in the midst of a hard battle with some other veterans, and we invited him and his teammate Overlord over to a private server for a "definitive" UK Vs Sweden 2 on 2 jobbie.....

40 minutes in DM 5 was no easy game, Okkun proving to be fast and fierce and accurate and compared no less to "bot-like" players like QL.Ettu in the UK. FuckAll, in the sea of T1 refllexes, showed the Swedes what modems can achieve in the English way....Of course Jhoni-Bo held up his storming form well and sealed the fates for the Swedes....yanking up a final score of 91 to 68. "

Congratulations to Fuckall and Jhoni-Bo (who I forgot to list, but who will also be at the Pissup, so you can congratulate him personally). And to the Swedes, and any other nation, for that matter, I extend a traditional English challenge for a rematch.

"Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough..."

UKCL WEEKEND ROUND 6 RESULTS

Well, it seems that the UKCL have sorted out their result collection problems, and the six round of the UKCL weekend league is now officially complete.

As I reported a couple of days ago, the top of the league has seen its first change for a while, as Terminal Gibbage lost to the Quake Police department 173-78. I haven't had many details on this game, but QPD are generally reckoned to be one of the best Clans in the UK as a whole, and so TG's loss to them is nothing to be ashamed of. However, it does clear out the field of top-runners a little more, with only QPD, the Quake Lords, who had an easy game this week against the plucky but weak Riders Of Telgar Weir, and the Frag Kings, still at the top of the league, but now by less than a hundred frags.

Each of the top Clans, of course, seem confident of a win. We've already heard from QL-Rorschach ("Have you got a win coming?" "We have. Simple as that") and FK-Fuckall ( "We'll open up the lead gap further"), and now I have heard from QPD-Danman, who, although saying that he is "uncertain" who will win the league, does say that "I do think we have a good chance of winning, and are almost certain to finish near the top". Less certain than other Clan Leaders, or just more modest? Only time will tell.

Further down the league, the embattled Demonic Core and Clan Pendragon are both holding by their fingernails to a 1-1 win-loss ratio, the DC slaughtering the usually strong X 282-39 (ow!) and CP cruising with a default win against the Shotgun Posse. Around the same 3-3 level, the, ah, unusual Clan The Weedkillers failed to raisetheir heads from their mind-altering substances in time to prevent a loss against the Mandalore Warriors, a Clan in trouble with only 5 matches played and only two wins including this week's.

The difference between the UKCL and the modem-only MCW is shown by the fact that Vengeance, current front-runners in the MCW, are in real trouble in the UKCL, with only one win, this week losing to Clan Corpus by a respectable but nonetheless losing 246-162. Finally, right down at the bottom Bog are due to play a rematch against the Minos Academy this week, although even given the Academy's variable reputation there is little doubt as to the outcome.

MORE CHANGES IN THE UK CLAN WORLD

It's all go, as always, in the hectic world of the UK Clans. The Desperados, currently in difficulties ( 4-2 down in the UKCL, 2-1 down in MCW), are hoping their fortunes will turn with the arrival of two new members.

"We've got 2 new players: popeye, an HPB, but an absolutely amazing player, and Mauve, an LPB who's only played quake for 10 days, but kept me and TD-Mongoman (both of us on full tilt) at bay. So, we're expecting big things for TD."

Their first try-out, against the Jedi Knights, resulted in a win for TD, so they're hopeful, but time will tell.

Meanwhile, just a couple of days after I spoke to him on the matter of his Clan's continued success, Ql-Rorschach has had to retire from Quake, for personal reasons. I've known Rorscach for a while as a superb player and a committed and intelligent mover in the Quake community, and he will be missed. This leaves QL-Ettu in sole charge of the Quake Lords for the time being.

On a more positive note, however, QL-Lord Storm is thinking of making a return to Quake, within "the next few weeks". The primary thing governing his timing at the moment is, oddly enough for one of the original LPBs, his ping times, which have, despite his ISDN connection, mysteriously shot up after he installed NT4. If anyone has any ideas on that, mail me and I'll try to pass your suggestions on...

COMING SOON...

Ok, I have again failed to put half the news into today's update I wanted to . Tomorrow I'll be dealing with the latest happenings in the UKCL, including a full report of the big DC vs TG game this weekend, and hopefully some details on Round 4 of the UKSPC, as well as reports on those "missing players" I mentioned a few days ago.

Probabally. What I can tell you for sure is that big things are coming soon to NFTF and the UK Clan scene as a whole. Watch this space.

PISSUP GUEST LIST SO FAR

Uther, I hate you. I had just assembled a small list of some of the people who were going to be at the UK Clan Pissup, lovingly, assembling my list from clues and intuition, and written up a nice, small, perfectly formed article on it, when I checked his page and discovered this list.

Oh, well. Don't feel guilty that you've just made all my hard work useless or forced me to rewrite this article, or anything. Pfah.

Names you might recognise include Uther himself, CC-RawMeat, CP-Spirit, DC-Danold, coming all the way from France for the occasion, DC.Osiris, DC.Zoser, V.Loki, QueeG, Andrew Brennand (Minos), FK-Fuckall, Joost "Slipgates" Schuur, and Sujoy Roy.

Apparently, Shoot And Surf are also offering us their facilities, including a dedicated 16 player network. So now you can discover that Sujoy can still kick your arse on a LAN.

I previously said I wouldn't be there. I'm going to rephrase. I'm not going to get there until 6 at the earliest, and I may not get there at all. However, I'm going to try. I'll see you if I see you. If I do I expect lots of drinks...

UKSPC ROUND 3- FULL RESULTS

Well, UKSPC round 3 results are in. Details as always (well, as mostly when I get around to them) are up on the results page.

There have certainly been some surprises in this round. QL-Cenobite, Rorshach's tip for the top 4, is out by default (anyone care to explain what happened?), and in a dog-eat-dog competition, TG-ScanMan forced fellow Clan member Onyx out of Group G. Still in are Fuckall, as I mentioned yesterday, V-Loki, DC.dd, DC-Zoser, QL-Darkangel and V.Maddog, scraping through in a close round.

Currently MCW favourites Vengeance appear to be sweeping the board, with 3 Clan members in to DC's 2 and FK, QL and TG's 1. Could this be an upset?

Strange news: those of you with sharp eyes will have noticed that several high-seeded players, including Danold and Queeg, failed to even make it through the first round. I'll try to get more details on that.

TG VS CP.KOD: MATCH REPORT

I recieve word from TG-Onyx that his Clan, Terminal Gibbage, were challenged by Clan Pendragon (Knights of Darkness) to a friendly match, earlier this week. As for the results- well, see for yourself...

Onyx reports:

" We received a challenge from Clan Pendragon earlier in the week for a small (4 on 4) match on a private minos port. We humbly accepted, with both teams scraping together whoever was on IRC/QW.: the teams ended up as CP (spirit, choadsmoker, pundit, krush) vs TG (Scanman, Interphaze, Onyx, Illusion).

We decided to play 2 rounds, first on DM4, then a more laid back DM3. Both matches were close but we (TG) scored two victories, helping to confirm that we are a serious clan. Spirit and Scanman both played excellently, 'jockeying' for the lead throughout the two matches. But the backup performance was what let CP down with TG members all putting in strong performances to up the overall score."

DM4 = TG 143 - 122 CP

DM3 = TG 86 - 78 CP

WHOA, UPDATES...

Two updates in as many days? Is this the NFTF you've grown to check weekly?

A QUAKE LORD SPEAKS

If you don't know the Quake Lords, go onto any QW server in the UK and wait. Someone with QL- before their name will turn up after too much time, and shortly afterwards your skill rating will half...

Things are definitely moving in QL-land. I managed to corner Ql-Rorshach, Clan leader of QL along with QL-Ettu and well-known Wearer Of The Funky Facemask (sorry, obscure Watchmen joke there) on IRC, and he gave me so much news that I thought it deserved a headline of its very own.

For starters, old-timers may be wondering why I listed Ettu and Rorshach as Clan leaders, in place of their well-known founder member, Lord Storm. LS, former UK QW no.1, has had to effectively quit the Clan, and certainly his position as leader, because of a very heavy workload. Commiserations are in order, although I hear that a little thing called "Diablo" might also have had something to do with it... However, people who have been repeatedly slaughtered by LS (including, ahem, me) needn't start celebrating just yet. According to Rorshach,

"on the plus side he still might pop in on games here and there when work permits ".

Well, that's the plus side for you, I suppose...

Until his return (hey, I thought that Uther was the Once and Future Clan Leader?), Ettu is in charge of arranging matches and Rorshach is doing news, match reports and cool artwork (check it out- by far the best original art I've seen on the Quake scene).

Currently, the QLs are undefeated this year, with an entry in the UKCL and two players in the UKSPC, DarkAngel and Cenobite. In both cases they are confident: Rorshach's prediction for the High-ping Final Four in the UKSPC is "Cenobite, Danold, Queeg, Loki", although "darkangel has been constantly surprising me recently so I dont really know". Watch this page for updates on the SPC as it progresses.

And the UKCL? Do they think they've got a win coming there?

"We have, simple as that. A lot of people reckon that we have been fighting the smaller clans, etc, because we're scared, or that it's just our core lpbs that win for us, but we beat the corpus all lpb team with one lpb, we beat dc with their all lpb team with less lpb again, and generally our play has been better organised.

"We have only one major battle left: QPD. If we beat QPD we've won. QPD will be a good match; they are a good clan."

So, he's confident, then.

However, he does think that

"I suppose FK could still possibly cause a bit of an upset, or TG, but FK's lpb is weak compared to other clans."

Due to personal animosities, QL are not entered in the MCW. Perhaps that's good- it means there will be something they don't win... Currently, Rorshach's money is on Vengeance.

Other news? Well, in a confusing move, another new Clan, Quakelight, have decided to also have the QL prefix. The differece, apparently, it that they are QL_ instead of QL-. Ah, yes. That'll be clear in the middle of a Deathmatch. The "real" QLs have been trying to play them for some time, but apparently they keep backing out of dates. Can't really say I blame them...

And, lastly, Rorshach tell me that

"You could mention that I'm doing a QuakeLords comic strip. Thats new..."

UKCL WEEK 6- SOME EARLY RESULTS AND A PLEA.

RefuX-QPD emails me to straighten out that confusion over TG's loss against QPD. They actually lost to QPD in the 6th round of the UKCL, thus eliminating, perhaps, their chances of winning the league.

Oh, an the resaon for the absence of posted results over at the UKCL is explained. Apparently, the UKCL is missing a lot of results from last week's games. John Burton is still looking for results from

The X vs DC

SP vs CP

Bog vs MA (apparently may be being replayed.)

TD vs CIX

QL vs RTW

Apparently, if the people concerned didn't submit their results by, uh, 12pm yesterday, the match results will simply be disregarded. So, have QL lost by inefficiency? I'll keep you posted.

MCW DUE FOR RESTART?

Disturbing news reaches me from Fk-Fuckall, one of the admins of the MCW.

"MCW may be due for a restart in 2 weeks, as a number of clans have dropped from the league due to their own mindless disorganizations, and a few clans want in. So, a restart :)."

Oops. Pity, as the MCW was shaping up to be interesting. On the same subject, Rawmeat, of Clan Corpus, emails me about the slagging off I metnioned he was getting:

"There has been a break down in communications between Corpus and MCW. I wish to state at this point that we had no intention of playing in MCW once it became apparent we had a lack of modem players. This breakdown has caused some trouble with other clans turning up to fight us and we were not present, and on behalf of the clan I wish to apologize for this inconvenience.

However, we will not be playing in MCW any more until we get a few more modem players. The LPBs do not have dial in accounts so modems for some of us are out of the question. "

Not a lot they could do about that.

UKSPC RESULTS-2ND ROUND

At least the UK Single Player Championships are going well, with the second round results now in. For full details, check their page or my results section. However, well-known players who are through include Darkangel and Cenobite of the Quake Lords, Zoser and DD of DC,Scanman and Onyx of TG, Loki, Maddog and Shadow of Vengeance, and, uh, Fuckall of FK. Ovviously, this is the High Ping section- no Sujoy.

Round 3 was actually played yesterday. Whilst I haven't got full results yet, Fuckall is through again, along with Maddog, getting 35 and 28 to Shmern, now out, who managed 24. Jibsta and DarkAngel are also through.

Full results as they come in.

NEW DOMAIN FOR UKCL

Well, like it says in the title, people.

The UKCL have cut adrift from the coat-tails of Minos (well, sorta...) and now have a domain of their very own. Check it out: http://www.ukcl.org.uk/.

They're a real, grown up Internet site now (unlike NFTF...). So, remember to reset your bookmarks .

AND THIS WEEKEND'S ACTION...

Well, there are some pretty major matches coming up this weekend in the UKCL. On the Saturday, we've got CIX (you've played the Clan, now join up with the ISP, check out the online service and buy the coffee mug), currently just behind the frontrunners at 4-1, playing QPD, one of the current favourites (map DM3). Both sides have some very skilled players (you may know Coerj, Dark Raven, Fragga or DanMan), so this should be a good match. Could CIX knock QPD off their perch?

Also on the Saturday, we have the Frag Kings, currently top of the league, facing the erratic Minos Academy on E4M8. An unusual map, and that could upset the balance, although FK-Fuckall assures me that

"FK spent an evening learning it...so expect to witness some extrodinary teamwork :)"

Should be interesting. I doubt I'll be able to observe, but I'll certainly be on IRC to interview the players afterward.

On Sunday, we have what I think could be the biggest match of the weekend: Terminal Gibbage, currently unbeaten according to the UKCL records (although Interphaz claims, confusingly, that they're 4-1 at the moment), and boasting the formidable likes of ScanMan and of course Interphaz, the sysop of the popular Slaughterhouse server, against Demonic Core, reeling from a below-average performance recently but still boasting the formidable might of Paragon, dd, Nightwing and of course the current European no. 1 Sujoy. If there's any way I can report on this match I will. Please?

MCW 2ND ROUND RESULTS

Well, the Modem Clan War seems to have got off to a good start, and with the end of the second round the competition is really beginning to hot up.

Leading the field at the moment are Vengeance, both A and B teams , CIX (who, of course, are also making a strong showing in the UKCL) and Dominion, who I assume are a relatively new, but apparently formidable Clan. In the middle are lurking several Clans who I can only assume are suffering from the loss of their LPBs, such as the Frag Kings, DC (continuing their losing, or at least not dominating, streak), along with the vast majority of the other contenders, including The X, HTS and The Desperados. Lastly, trailing behind are the Lethal Enforcers, the Funky Red Clan (no prizes for guessing their colours...) and Corpus, presumably also suffering from loss of LPBs. What, can't they hook a modem up somewhere?

As the stakes rise and the competition speeds up, tempers are apt to rise too. Currently, most of the flak is being shared between Vengeance, against whom complaints of camping are being raised (more on that later), and Corpus, for reasons unknown.. Watch out, guys- you've got enemies.

The organisation of the League is generally excellent, and the Admins seem to be doing a good job, quickly and calmly sorting out such hassles as broken servers and missing players.

See below for more details on Week 3 as it progresses.

UK QUAKEFEST: BE THERE OR BE SOMEWHERE ELSE.

Yes, it's another real-life meeting of Quake players. ReAPeR, of Golden Gun fame, is helping to run the UK Quakefest. I don't know. All this meeting in Real Life, partying, getting drunk and so on. What happened to the sad, lonely soul hunched behind his computer, only ever seeing light in the flickering of his ageing VDU, eh?

Anyway, if you're into this Real Life thing, the Quakefest will be taking place on the 20th of April, in The Barn Hotel, Ruslip, in London. You'll have to bring your own computer, and entrance will be around £10-20, which I assume is to cover the cost of the hotel. It sounds like excellent fun, so if you can possibly make it there, do...

MCW WEEK 3- NEWS AND BEATINGS.

News as it comes in.

First off, Clan Pendragon have shown that despite their extreme antiquity (joke, guys, joke...) they can still cut the mustard when it comes to giving these lesser, whippersnapper Clans a good, solid beating. Their 2-2 game against the Lethal Enforcers (30 minutes, Teamplay 10, effectively meaning you can't hurt team mates but you certainly can blow yourself up...) ended in a crushing 194-3 victory for the Once and Future Clan, and for their representatives, Choadsmoker and Fab, the gruesome twosome controlling the rocket launcher room completely and, as shown in the final score, barely giving LE time enough to respawn. More details of CP's many victories can, apparently, be found on their own page. There are that many of them.

In the first of Tuesday's games, The Desperados, described by TD-Kenzie as an "interestingly disorganised clan", took on the might of the Vengeance B, with my humble self representing the Free Press (trans: observing). The game started with a few minor snags: the first chosen server lagged beyond conception, and after about five minutes of setup dumped us out into the cold of Clan-Net IRC. Unfazed, FK-Fuckall, the Admin and general all-around saint for the evening calmly set us up a second server, onto which the assorted might of TD and V piled for their thirty minute battle to the death.

It was obvious from the start of the game that Vengeance were a powerful and capable Clan. Throughout the game they kept a stranglehold on the level , and the game started the way it was to go on.

Around fifteen minutes into the game, The Desperados, already in trouble from the relentless battering of rocket launchers and lightening from the dreadfully accurate VenB boys, hit another snag when TD-BennyBoy suddenly left the game, as his PC suddenly locked up and he had to quit. The TDs found a replacement, but it made no difference, and as the match drew to a close, first one, then two of The Desperados followed BennyBoy into oblivion.

The end score, taking into account the scores of the TDs before Windows 95 did its dreadful work, was 194-46. A clear victory, then, for Vengeance B, who despite TDs' troubles no doubt affecting their performance clearly deserved their victory. Mad Dog, Loki and The Shadow played well individually, better than their rivals (they are all deadly accurate, and obviously skilled enough to use the so-called "hotfoot" tactic with explosives), and as a Clan displayed a superior degree of teamplay: I often saw two Vengance players travelling together, staking out important spots together, or ganging up on one poor lonesome Desperado. By contrast the Desperados seemed to split up at every opportunity, providing their opponents with plenty of opportunities to mob them. Whilst this is an effective tactic in teamplay 0, it is less so in a situation where friendly fire is not a problem.

Having said all that, the Desperados are far from helpless. Individually they all displayed considerable ability, and when not faced with instant death in the for of VenB they could well be a force to be reckoned with. Ones to watch for the future, perhaps?

COMMENTS? WAR STORIES?

So, what do you think of NFTF so far? In particular, I'd like commentary on my reports of games, such as the VenB vs TD report above- Quake is a difficult game to write detailed reports for, and any feedback helps. However, any comments at all will be appreciated.

And I want war stories. Reports on games you've played. Gossip. News. Even if it's a thirty-second email detailing a game you just played, containing nothing more than the scores and your name, I really can use your help. I've been overwhelmed with the support I've recieved so far, but you guys make the news. The more of it I hear about, the better NFTF will be.

Sermon over.

OUCH...

Ok, I know I said I would update today. However, now is most likely a good time to explain why updates aren't as frequent at the moment as I would like.

I have a Repetative Strain Injury: a typing injury. I cannot use the computer for more than two hours at the absolute maximum per day, or I aggravate it further. Since I am a professional writer, this is bad news. So, I update when I can.

Please be patient. As soon as I recover, I'll try to rival Blue...

UK CLAN PISSUP ANNOUNCED...

Now _this_ is a good idea. Organised by the omnipresent Uther of Clan Pendragon, there is to be a general meet for anyone interested in Quake in the UK on the 15th of March, in London. The general plan includes Cinema, SegaWorld, a Chinese resteraunt, stupid amounts of alcohol and most likely a huge hangover in the morning. Sadly, I think I'll not be able to be there myself, but if you could, check out the details.

JOIN A CLAN WITH A REAL ACRONYM!

Clan H.T.S. are looking for members. So far, they've a good record in the MCW, winning one match and losing the other one narrowly, but they're low on members. So, if you're free, good with a mouse and a modem, and like that funky acronym, email S-Keeper.

ARE YOU A EURO-CLAN?

So, anyone remember the UK Clan Council, run by Uther Pendragon? Well, it's back, bigger and better than ever, as the European Clan Council.

Run from Ireland, the current centre of the EU (of course...), much of the page is not yet fully functional, but those sections that are look good. Check it out: if it succeeds in its aim of uniting Europe's Quakers, I'll be impressed.

THE OXFORD-CAMBRIDGE QUAKE RACE?

Well, well. You know the Oxford Quakers. They're half of the crew that have pings lower than your frame rate, and frame rates higher than your CPU rating. Well, they now have their own Intercollege League, where Magdalene can frag Hugh's, whilst New College keeps score. What's more, they're thinking of inviting come Cambridge players in to join the fun. The Oxford- Cambridge Quake Match? The idea is apparently in the works...

Thanks to Fk-DMS for that information.

NAMARIE

I've just finished listening to the tapes of Lord Of The Rings again. Quake is a great hobby and a fun game, but there are things as far above it as the stars to the Earth.

We mustn't forget that.

THE CLAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN...

Well, well. Minos have been coming up with new ideas again. Their latest is the Golden Gun award for the best Clan Member performance in a week's games. In the words of Andrew Brennand, the Minos Maestro:

"we have just introduced a Golden Gun award for the best performance of the week in a clan game - the winner gets access to a password protected skin for all matches that week."

And here it is.

Gotta love those leopardskin trousers!

The first Golden Gun award, by the way, goes to ReAPeR, of Clan Minos, obviously. So, if you see someone in kinky leopardskin attacking you in a game, just run...

MORE MINOS

Minos are running a custom map on their Vanilla server this weekend: it's called TheCivic, and is available from their WWW page. Since this map was actually written by the "man of the moment", ReAPeR, you really ought to check it out. (Thanks to ReAPeR for that update).

MODEM LEAGUE AND UK SINGLE PLAYER CHAMPIONSHIPS

Woah, long headline. I've already mentioned the UKCL and the UKQCR leagues on these pages, but there are at least two more flourishing competitions going on in the UK at the moment: the Modem Clan War and UK Single Player Championships.

Both of these competitions are being run by a coalition of Demonic Core, Clan Pendragon and Frag Kings members, and seem to be doing very well so far. Whilst neither are accepting any new contenders, the war is certainly hotting up among those who have entered, with one game having been played in the MCW and one round completed in the UKSPC.

Obviously, it's early days yet, but so far the games seem to have been interesting. Of note was Cix's game against DC, which it appears was quite the landslide, with DC scoring a miserable 22 against Cix's 100. Is the Core losing it? Only time will tell.

The funniest or perhaps saddest result was the Frag Kings against the aptly named Dogz. I wasn't there, I don't know what happened, but- well. 69-2?

Check out the full statistics on NFTF's new Results page. Oh, nice music for the MCW, BTW. Uther's own composition?

UKCL- AARRGGH, NO, MORE RESULTS...

Ok, so obviously that's what they're there for, but...

OK, in Week 5 of the UK Clan League the Frag Kings have shot, or at least nailed, their way into first place, with a total frag count of 765, against the #2s, QPD, currently over a hundred behind on 639. FuckAll, the FK spokesperson, seems to be confident of future success...

"Also mind you we've had a default win in something like week 2 which means a lotta points lost for us (implying we'll open up the lead gap further :)."

The same four remain unbeaten: QPD, FK, TG and the QuakeLords, still unusually for them languishing in fourth place. Perhaps they've come up against opposition too stiff for them? Only time will tell.

CIX are still holding in fifth place, with only one loss so far. Further down the table, DC haven't mamaged to pull out of their losing streak, this week losing to the QPD 254-221. Still, they've had a tough couple of matches, and might still be able to climb up the table. The X, normally high flyers, and Clan Pendragon, a clan best described as old, venerated and unpredicatable, are in similar straits. However, at least Minos have managed to pull a win out of the hat against Clan Nasty this week.

Only Bog have still to win a match out of those who have played 5. Good luck- you'll need it.

Full results so far on the Results page.

UKCL- GET A RESULT.

Well, it's nice to see that at least one part of the UKCL has actually started up and appears to be seeing some fairly fast and furious action. The UK Clan League's Weekend League has been running for some 4 weeks now, and the field is beginning to clear out. It's interesting to compare the results here with the QW rankings I published yesterday.

The field is led, unsurprisingly, by the Quake Lords and the QPD, both as yet undefeated. Tying with them are Terminal Gibbage and the Frag Kings (both ahead on frags of the QLs- the order is currently QPD, FK, TG, QL). Again, no great surprise: both are well-organised, lethal and efficient Clans.

CIX and Clan Nasty have lost only one match so far, whilst, startlingly, Demonic Core are langushing in the boondocks, having lost two of their four matches. However, one of these appears to have been due to a shortage of members: the small Clan is feeling a disadvantage here, perhaps?

Bringing up the rear are the Minos Academy, whose egalitarian position against "skillism" is perhaps hurting their position against ruthless Clans like the QLs, and the Riders of Telgar Weir, relative newcomers to the Clan scene, among others. For full details, check the UKCL results page

ROVING REPORTER IN CLAN MATCH SHOCK

I'm looking for some matches to report on. Whilst players can certainly send me game reports on any Clan matches that take place (please do...), I would like to be able to post some first-hand reports on the action in Clan games across the UK.

If you wouldn't mind having me along to your game as an observer, either in the flesh (wandering around in white taking pictures) or via a proxy server, please contact me. In particular, I'd like to get some pictures and reports from UKCL games, so please let me know if you'd like me to write a report.

Your name will live forever if you do. Perhaps.

TUESDAY 25TH FEBUARY 1997

NEWS FROM THE FRONT OPENS

Well, like it says in the title, dude. News From The Front, the first news page specifically dealing with the UK Quake Clan scene, has finally opened (about 3 months after I first posited the idea...). But then, you know that, since you're, like, reading it...

A few things. Firstly, this site is intended pretty much as the UK equivalent of the late, lamented Fargo's Frontpage at PlanetQuake- a news site for any goings-on related or of interest to the UK Clan scene. This will include results from Clan matches, especially those connected with any Quake tournaments such as the UKCL or the UKQCR's own tournaments, news of new Clans being formed or existing ones either re-organising or (if such an unfortunate event happens) disbanding, news of new competitions, tournaments or excuses for a shootout (like we need an excuse) and, no doubt, the occasional mad ranting from your noble host. I do things like that.

As for the aforementioned noble host- well, I'm The Nomad, otherwise known on the Quake scene as either The Poet, Cairmen or Frying_Tonite. You may have repainted DM3 with me a few times.

I hope that the service is useful. If you have any news, views, opinions or any of that other stuff that people send to the moderators of news pages, please do send it in. Otherwise I'll have to make it all up myself.

UK CLAN TOP FIVE

Quake World's skill ranking system has come in for a lot of stick, not least from me, but it still seems to be a fairly efficient way to tell just how good someone is. With this in mind, I spent a portion of Sunday checking Barf's QW rankings for Minos to determine just who is top dog in the UK Clans at the moment, according to QW.

The results below have been calculated quite simply according to the total of the positions of the top five members of each Clan in the Skill lists. Obviously, this is not a perfect way of ranking the Clans, but the results are interesting anyway. Better ideas for ranking on a postcard please.

I doubt that the top 3are really going to surprise anyone. It's worth noting , though, that if only the top 4 players had been considered, the QLs would have lost badly to DC by around 70 positions. Never mind the width, feel the quality?

Notable absentees not only from the top 5 but the top 10 were the Minos Academy and any sniff of Clan Pendragon. Either of them.

P.S. Oh, sod. Barf just updated again. I'll update the list in a while...

UKQCR MISSING CLANS...

The UK Quake ClanRing is doing pretty well, but we still don't have all the UK Clans on the Ring, which rather defeats the object. Come on, people- sign up!

Whilst this site will cover the activity of all UK Clans, not just the UKQCR, I'd rather like the two to be synonymous. The UK really needs an independent organisation of Clans, and the UKQCR can fill that role, if everyone will just sign up for it. Otherwise, it's useless.

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