Computer Tournaments

ittco follows a fairly routine game schedule at each event, but how many games are released that remain popular? In the past, headline games have included Warcraft 3, Unreal Tournament 2004, Counter-Strike: Source, Dance Dance Revolution, and Halo. At Iron Storm 8, we expanded this list to include Unreal Tournament 3, Battlefield 2142, Call of Duty 4, Guitar Hero 3, and Super Smash Brothers: Brawl.

The first game up for play was Unreal Tournament 2004 in a one-versus-one deathmatch. Unreal Tournament 2004 has long been Pittco's headlining non-team tournament, but may be replaced by it's successor, Unreal Tournament 3, at future events. With only 30 participating players in this earlier tournament, a double-elimination bracket was held. The rounds moved quickly, with only ten minutes allotted for each map, with short breaks between each round. About two and half hours later, the winners were announced: Rhythem in first place, and Virt in second. Both of these players traveled several hours to the event from opposing directions, but they come from the same online clan: Team Pure Gaming.

The Counter-Strike: Source (CS:S) tournament was the second tournament, with 15 teams of 5 members entering a double-elimination bracket using CAL rules. CS:S is Pittco's largest tournament, and the teams are awarded both prizes and a cash pot, as the there is a $25 buy-in for the tournament. The teams come come from around the tri-state area, and there were even some members that flew in from even farther away. Several hours later, the winners were announced: Intermediate Mediocracy, CultureShok's Money Crew, and Team OHIO.

Bob Buskirk, of ThinkComputers fame, live-recorded some of the Counter-Strike source tournament in the video below.

Later in the night at the conclusion of Counter-Strike: Source, Call of Duty 4 and Battlefield 2142 took place. Call of Duty 4 utilized teams of 5, while Battlefield 2142 utilized teams of 8. These two tournaments went quickly, since they were only single-elimination: once you're out, you're out.

In the midst of all the computer gaming excitement, Pittco also had a large console section.