CAL-ns on Life Support
enigma
Join Date: 2004-09-11 Member: 31623Members
<div class="IPBDescription">read before you move</div>I posted this in general discussion because I feel that the death of CAL-ns will impact not only competitive players, but the entire ns community as well.
Copy and pasted from my posts in other forums, so forgive me if some things appear out of context.
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Let me explain the current situation with CAL-ns. A portion of the front page says this (full news post can be found at <a href="http://www.caleague.com/?division=nso):" target="_blank">http://www.caleague.com/?division=nso):</a>
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CALeague’s Natural Selection division is coming to a close. It’s been a great 10 seasons for all who were involved. I’d like to thank the developers for providing such an amazing game that has never received its rightful praise. I’d also like to thank the select players who have kept the league going while maintaining a high-level of professionalism. In addition, I’d like to thank all the CAL staff, past and present who have kept this division alive and well for so long.
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This abrupt end of CAL-NS came as a surprise for much of the community - not only in North America, but in Europe as well. It sparked an immediate outcry and eventually led to a Ventrilo meeting several hours later involving a good portion of the community. There, the head CAL-ns addressed some main concerns.
The primary reason CAL-ns| Joshua gave for closing the league was the lack of active teams. The number of teams has been dropping steadily over the seasons, but Joshua felt that last season showed an all time low in both activity and number of teams.
Another concern Joshua had was the lack of professionalism and sportsmanship in the league. These two issues were immediately addressed, and members of the community who attended the meeting vowed to hold themselves to higher standards of conduct.
However, he suggests that if there was renewed interest in the league, there is the possibility of it reopening. If you’ve never tried competitive NS, this may be your only and last chance to do so. If you enjoy teamwork and high-level play, there is no alternative.
Contrary to belief, clanning is not incredibly time consuming. All that is required is six players to show up every Sunday around 5:30 PST to play two rounds of ns, one marine and one alien. If the other team consents, the match can be played at a different agreed upon time. Although practicing against another team (often called “scrimming”) is completely optional, it can be a great deal of fun and improve teamwork and skill tremendously. Scrims are rarely arranged and can be found against another team simply by advertising in #findnsscrim on the Gamesurge server on mIRC. Sign up your team at <a href="http://www.caleague.com/?division=nso" target="_blank">http://www.caleague.com/?division=nso</a>. The ability to create teams is still open.
If the attitude of the community is what has detered you, I assure you much has changed in light of recent events. Many dedicated members of the competitive community would gladly mentor any upcoming clans. Ops from my clan in #xensity or #nslearn would be glad to help. I’m positive many others would be willing to help too, but I don’t want to burden them with obligations without their consent
CAL-NS is a considerable facet of the NS community, whether it's visible to this community or not. Many of us refuse to let it go after enduring through numerous seasons. Whatever your decision, I encourage you to watch these videos of Natural Selection play at its best, as they are priceless memoranda of top natural selection clans from around the world: <a href="http://www.own-age.com/vids/top.aspx?game=83&type=1" target="_blank">http://www.own-age.com/vids/top.aspx?game=83&type=1</a>. Most notable are Fananation, Team Exigent: Ascension, Terror, Reign of Terror, and Natural-Selection Jumped 1 &2.
If any of you need any clarification or help getting started, feel free to pm me on these forums or on mIRC in #xensity, #nspickup, or #findnsscrim as xen-enigma, or talk to me in-game (many of you know me as [ trance – enigma` ] or Have a seat _/) .
Copy and pasted from my posts in other forums, so forgive me if some things appear out of context.
--
Let me explain the current situation with CAL-ns. A portion of the front page says this (full news post can be found at <a href="http://www.caleague.com/?division=nso):" target="_blank">http://www.caleague.com/?division=nso):</a>
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
CALeague’s Natural Selection division is coming to a close. It’s been a great 10 seasons for all who were involved. I’d like to thank the developers for providing such an amazing game that has never received its rightful praise. I’d also like to thank the select players who have kept the league going while maintaining a high-level of professionalism. In addition, I’d like to thank all the CAL staff, past and present who have kept this division alive and well for so long.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This abrupt end of CAL-NS came as a surprise for much of the community - not only in North America, but in Europe as well. It sparked an immediate outcry and eventually led to a Ventrilo meeting several hours later involving a good portion of the community. There, the head CAL-ns addressed some main concerns.
The primary reason CAL-ns| Joshua gave for closing the league was the lack of active teams. The number of teams has been dropping steadily over the seasons, but Joshua felt that last season showed an all time low in both activity and number of teams.
Another concern Joshua had was the lack of professionalism and sportsmanship in the league. These two issues were immediately addressed, and members of the community who attended the meeting vowed to hold themselves to higher standards of conduct.
However, he suggests that if there was renewed interest in the league, there is the possibility of it reopening. If you’ve never tried competitive NS, this may be your only and last chance to do so. If you enjoy teamwork and high-level play, there is no alternative.
Contrary to belief, clanning is not incredibly time consuming. All that is required is six players to show up every Sunday around 5:30 PST to play two rounds of ns, one marine and one alien. If the other team consents, the match can be played at a different agreed upon time. Although practicing against another team (often called “scrimming”) is completely optional, it can be a great deal of fun and improve teamwork and skill tremendously. Scrims are rarely arranged and can be found against another team simply by advertising in #findnsscrim on the Gamesurge server on mIRC. Sign up your team at <a href="http://www.caleague.com/?division=nso" target="_blank">http://www.caleague.com/?division=nso</a>. The ability to create teams is still open.
If the attitude of the community is what has detered you, I assure you much has changed in light of recent events. Many dedicated members of the competitive community would gladly mentor any upcoming clans. Ops from my clan in #xensity or #nslearn would be glad to help. I’m positive many others would be willing to help too, but I don’t want to burden them with obligations without their consent
CAL-NS is a considerable facet of the NS community, whether it's visible to this community or not. Many of us refuse to let it go after enduring through numerous seasons. Whatever your decision, I encourage you to watch these videos of Natural Selection play at its best, as they are priceless memoranda of top natural selection clans from around the world: <a href="http://www.own-age.com/vids/top.aspx?game=83&type=1" target="_blank">http://www.own-age.com/vids/top.aspx?game=83&type=1</a>. Most notable are Fananation, Team Exigent: Ascension, Terror, Reign of Terror, and Natural-Selection Jumped 1 &2.
If any of you need any clarification or help getting started, feel free to pm me on these forums or on mIRC in #xensity, #nspickup, or #findnsscrim as xen-enigma, or talk to me in-game (many of you know me as [ trance – enigma` ] or Have a seat _/) .
Comments
European players should try the <a href="http://nsleague.com" target="_blank">Euro NS league</a>; which is in a healtheir state than CAL.
<a href="http://www.mirc.com/get.html" target="_blank">http://www.mirc.com/get.html</a>
/s irc.gamesurge.net
Don't forget Enigma only 130 some odd people are on the #natural-selection channel so that leaves 90% who probably never heard of IRC.
<a href="http://www.mirc.com/get.html" target="_blank">http://www.mirc.com/get.html</a>
/s irc.gamesurge.net
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That's because 50% of the NS community is banned from #ns.
One Stop Community with be hosting a 13 slot Private server, VENT and forum sections for Any (1) NS Clan that shows they will put-forth a strong effort, team-work, Good conduct and shows some skill (not looking for the |337est).
If that's you, head to <a href="http://www.onestopcommunity.com/forums" target="_blank">One Stop Community's Forums</a> and post.
That's because 50% of the NS community is banned from #ns.
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And an additional 30% doesn't bother connecting on IRC.
Don't forget Enigma only 130 some odd people are on the #natural-selection channel so that leaves 90% who probably never heard of IRC.
<a href="http://www.mirc.com/get.html" target="_blank">http://www.mirc.com/get.html</a>
/s irc.gamesurge.net
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That's #naturalselection, not #natural-selection, btw.
--Scythe--
That's because 50% of the NS community is banned from #ns.
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[01:44] *** Attempting to re-join
[01:44] Cannot join channel (+b)
yay! i'm a statistic!
And some IRC guide for the begginers <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> <a href="http://ensl.zanith.nl/index.php?view=articles/irc" target="_blank">http://ensl.zanith.nl/index.php?view=articles/irc</a>
The league serves most American continent players, and operates in two divisions: Veteran and Open. Veteran division will currently be made up of CAL players while the Open division is encouraging the participation of new teams. So far the Open division has two teams, Hells Miltia and ICUP. Hopefully some of the public servers will provide good players and form some good teams (tactical gamer, g42bs, oldf, jigglys, BAD).
More details to come as things are constructed. Feel free to stop on by the irc channel or ask questions in this thread.
Can Norwegians participate in the CAL league?
Maybe CalNS will get re-opened, because things are starting to look very good now.
Can Norwegians participate in the CAL league?
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Well, there is the <a href="http://ensl.zanith.nl/" target="_blank">European NS League (ENSL)</a> which features four separate divisions for teams of different skill, including one "Beginners' Division" for those new to the competetive side of NS. There's also a Combat ladder is run along side, for which you can register mid season and schedule games freely for. Better latency to servers and more reasonable default match times than playing in an American league I'd say. You should check it out!
Other great features include uploaded demos of official matches, guides to the installment and use of IRC as well as decent introductions to the different life forms and how they traditionally play in competetive NS.
Well, there is the <a href="http://ensl.zanith.nl/" target="_blank">European NS League (ENSL)</a> which features four separate divisions for teams of different skill, including one "Beginners' Division" for those new to the competetive side of NS. There's also a Combat ladder is run along side, for which you can register mid season and schedule games freely for. Better latency to servers and more reasonable default match times than playing in an American league I'd say. You should check it out!
Other great features include uploaded demos of official matches, guides to the installment and use of IRC as well as decent introductions to the different life forms and how they traditionally play in competetive NS.
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I'll look into that. Only problem is, I hate IRC.