Home Gaming Cape Town COD LAN tournament results are in

Cape Town COD LAN tournament results are in

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MWEB COD lan

There are those who say LAN is dead. Sure, internet infrastructure is way better than it once was, but there is something quite specific about getting together in one room to battle it out. MWEB hosted an impressive LAN tournament in Cape Town last weekend – it even got mainstream attention.

Team opulence

Called the MWEB GameZone Master Series Cape Town LAN, the event took place this weekend at the Mweb Mcave. It featured top Call of Duty talent from the region, with Team Adept and Team Opulence fighting it out in the finals. Opulence was ultimately victorious at the LAN, but the mainstream coverage of the event is awesome for local eSports. e-News covered the event at the end of their news broadcast:

For those who don’t watch videos, it’s a poor quality taping of the news broadcast, which touted that gamers may soon be getting recognized in schools for their prowess. Desmond Kurz, organizer of the event and head honcho over at MWeb GameZone, explains that the goal is to get kids blazers with colors, recognizing all their hard work and dedication. I’ve got to commend e-News for slating the critics who say COD causes violence, instead highlighting the benefits of gaming.

Mweb cod lan 2

So, Cape Town knows which team is king at COD. What about Joburg? I’d love to see Gauteng come together for a similar style LAN tournament. That isn’t to say that there aren’t cool LANs coming up for the GP-ers – there are LANs in the north for the next two weekends. One is the GamersXtreme LAN in Pretoria, with Liberty LAN at Emperor’s Palace the weekend after. Now we just need a large-scale COD tournament to happen, and we can get excited for a north vs south championship.

[Update] Desmond from MWEB has responded to our queries around the age restriction

Hi Gavin, parental consent is always a requirement as part of the terms for entering into one of our tournaments, be it online or offline. In quite a few cases, the parents were actually there to spectate. In the case of the schools team that was entered, the teacher responsible was there to supervise. Further to that, all entrants had to supply their own copies of the game to compete.

So that’s awesome.. well done MWEB and to the MSSA this is how you run a tournament properly. Figure it out

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Last Updated: April 7, 2014

72 Comments

  1. Matthew Holliday

    April 7, 2014 at 13:08

    Did Desmond Kurz specify which blazers with colours he was talking about?
    was he talking about high school honors blazers or Provincial/National colours.
    cus then he’s talking about MWEB taking a direct hand in MSSA affairs, rather than just being a sponsor.
    TBH, I like the sound of that.

    Also, team opulence seems to represent a fairly large age group, lol, the kid in the middle definitely doesnt look old enough to pass the age restriction on CoD games.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      April 7, 2014 at 13:18

      lol I was just going to ask about the kid. Maybe he’s a mascot?

      Reply

      • HvR

        April 7, 2014 at 13:23

        The official team mother joke generator?

        Reply

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    April 7, 2014 at 13:18

    The header image can’t be real.

    Reply

    • Mark Treloar

      April 7, 2014 at 15:09

      Too many underage kids playing COD?

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        April 7, 2014 at 15:12

        Teh wimmins!

        Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    April 7, 2014 at 13:18

    I’m sorry but the ESRB rating is clearly as effective as a Nevada boxing commissioner. Also, did Albert Smith compete?

    Reply

    • VampyreSquirrel

      April 7, 2014 at 13:24

      He was too busy tweeting Gavin

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        April 7, 2014 at 13:31

        XD

        Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        April 7, 2014 at 13:38

        Winna!

        Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      April 7, 2014 at 13:45

      we use the fpb rating here

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        April 7, 2014 at 13:47

        Silly me

        Reply

  4. Rince

    April 7, 2014 at 13:18

    They aren’t 18+!

    Reply

    • VampyreSquirrel

      April 7, 2014 at 13:26

      As per http://www.dogamingleague.co.za/clan/opul two of them are under 18. The little one is apparently 13.

      Reply

      • HvR

        April 7, 2014 at 14:08

        Two, two three quarters and a half men

        Reply

        • VampyreSquirrel

          April 7, 2014 at 14:35

          LOL! Which one represents Charlie Sheen? Second from the right?

          Reply

  5. Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

    April 7, 2014 at 13:24

    Ok not to be THAT guy but CoD for example has, to my knowledge, an age restriction of 18 right? So technically the only kids who could possibly earn colors for this are Matriculants who have turned 18.

    If the school gives colors to a player who plays CoD who is under the age rstriction isn’t that technically illegal?

    As i said I don’t wana be that guy but the whole point gamers always try make is that people who become violent due to video games were playing them when below the age restriction etc.

    Reply

    • Brett Gunter

      April 7, 2014 at 13:25

      I was trying my hardest to resist posting this very line of thinking

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        April 7, 2014 at 13:28

        Same but it had to be said.

        Let me make it clear. I am glad that gaming is getting some good media for a change and that people want to recognise it as a sport. This goes a long way in to bringing esports closer to being viewed as a “real sport” by the rest of the world.

        However it can also be damaging if it is being made clear that the players and organisers don’t care about age restrictions. This can be used very negatively and ultimately damage the progress gaming has made as a sport in the view of the general populous.

        Reply

        • Her Highness the Hipster

          April 7, 2014 at 13:31

          i agree! asked about this exact point. I know DGL makes parents sign waivers for the DGC. not sure if LANs do the same.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            April 7, 2014 at 13:33

            I mean the one in the middle can fit in a shopping bag he’s that young.

          • Her Highness the Hipster

            April 7, 2014 at 13:33

            yeah, apparently 13!

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            April 7, 2014 at 13:38

            The fact that you know what size container he’d fit in to worries me….

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2014 at 13:39

            If you hold him up & look just right you can see he wants to go to PE too.

          • HvR

            April 7, 2014 at 14:15

            O poepholletjie poepholletjie sê vir my waarheen wil graag vandag heen ry.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2014 at 14:45

            😀

          • Hammersteyn

            April 7, 2014 at 13:46

            Evading airport tax

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            April 7, 2014 at 13:36

            Even with parent’s waivers I think it’s something that needs to be strictly enforced. IE: Games like CoD should not be played by anyone under the age restriction. Parents consent or not.

            I know it sounds bad but the point is if gaming is ever to be taken seriously the organisers as a whole need to be seen to be strict with this kind of thing.
            They must be seen to care about the effect of violent games on the younger players and be seen to put a foot down and refuse to let a kid too young join up.

            It’s really harsh and if I was younger and reading my own comment I would probably rage at myself. But yeah, gaming as a hobby and gaming as a sport are 2 different things. Gaming as a sport is public facing and therefore have to be following rules and all that.

            But that is where our federations fall flat. They will have a fit if a team uses the South African flag, but will let any aged player play any age restricted game as long as mommy and daddy sign a waiver? I don’t think that’s ok.

          • Robert Hart

            April 7, 2014 at 13:46

            I believe people have rights in the times we live in. We should not discriminate based on age. If the parent feels tournament experience at that age is what the child needs to ensure a strong eSport career, then that should be their right to decide.

            The best sportsmen start playing at a very young age. If an age limit is forced, RSA would fair very poorly against the international countries who do not have such a limit.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2014 at 13:51

            Not to nitpick, but the age restriction is based on the content of the game. You can’t really apply that to a ball.

          • Robert Hart

            April 7, 2014 at 13:52

            And the age limit for tournaments will not prevent a child from playing hundreds of hours of the game outside of the tournament.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2014 at 14:07

            Weren’t some of the Team Rize members that won the SA COD qualifier ineligible to play because they were under age? Sure I read that, otherwise I don’t have much of a point heh.

            Talking generally though, saying that people ignore or allow bypassing of age restrictions doesn’t mean they can just be done away with completely. They exist for a reason.

          • Robert Hart

            April 7, 2014 at 14:12

            The age limit is a recommendation only and in most cases is based on the single player, not the eSport mode. If anything, the ratings board should release an age rating for both single player and eSport modes.

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            April 7, 2014 at 13:54

            And I understand that. But we are talking about them participating at provincial or international levels here.

            No one is saying they aren’t allowed to practice their sport in a personal capacity until they are of the right age.

            It also doesn’t mean they can’t play other games of appropriate age restrictions at provincial / international / school levels to get that tournament experience.

            The age categories would determine what games are available for each age group and that would be enforced.

            They’d still get tournament experience and can practice their skill at the older aged games at home or in a personal capacity.

            I am strictly talking about the official stance that needs to be very strict because it’s already a touchy subject in this world and pretty much allowing anyone to take part (Even a 13 year old) is not the best move in my honest opinion. There needs to be a limit.

            Let’s say an 18 restricted game you are allowed to be 16 and play with parental consent. Any younger and it should be strictly forbidden.

          • Robert Hart

            April 7, 2014 at 13:55

            So your only reason for thinking that, is because your want tournaments to be seen as strict?

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            April 7, 2014 at 16:59

            to be seen as professional and taking in to account the effect of violent media on younger children.

            Mix in a violent game with high stakes competitiveness and you end up with a potentially bad situation.

          • Norm the Horrible

            April 7, 2014 at 15:08

            ^ This.

          • MrsCrouse

            April 7, 2014 at 20:24

            Just to be clear the school team that entered also had indemnity forms signed by the parents giving permission for their kids to take part in the tournament. This indemnity form covers all future events and it is explained that the age restriction for COD is 18+.

        • Brett Gunter

          April 7, 2014 at 13:34

          100% right!

          Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      April 7, 2014 at 13:31

      Agreed, like I said below ESRB is meaningless

      Reply

    • VampyreSquirrel

      April 7, 2014 at 13:36

      Just had to be THAT guy, didn’t you Llew? Glad someone said it lol

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        April 7, 2014 at 13:37

        Alas someone had to be. But I see @rincethis:disqus and @hammersteyn:disqus also made mention of this. Just using fewer words 🙂 So at least I wasn’t the only “That Guy”

        Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      April 7, 2014 at 13:38

      Look it’s him! THAT GUY!

      Reply

    • Robert Hart

      April 7, 2014 at 13:40

      I believe as long as your legal guardian provides permission, a child of any age can in fact play the game in a tournament such as this one.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        April 7, 2014 at 13:45

        Yes I understand that but as I also said lower down it’s something I personally believe shouldn’t be allowed even if the parent / legal guardian is willing to sign the waiver.

        Reply

        • Robert Hart

          April 7, 2014 at 13:49

          Do you feel LAN tournaments will damage the child in some way? Keep in mind that the child will still play hundreds of hours ingame (at home) even if such an age limit for the LAN is enforced.

          Reply

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            April 7, 2014 at 13:58

            It’s got to do with official stance on the subject. Nothing with what the parents allow the kids to do.

            It’s got to do with how the esports scene is viewed by the public.

            Imagine the public going “But look how bloody this game is and they allowed a 13 year old to play?”

            What does that do to the image of professional esports? That’s what I am going at here.

            A 16 year old playing an 18 restricted game with parental consent is different and won’t cause too much of a stir. But there needs to be a line here. Official esports can not be seen allowing someone under the age of 16 playing a game in official capacity that is actually wildly inappropriate for younger kids.

          • Robert Hart

            April 7, 2014 at 14:09

            Personally I feel thats a really bad reason to discriminate against and disadvantage a certain age group.

            Gaming is rewriting what sport is and it transcends age. The media and public opinion should not be allowed to influence the core advantages of this sport.

          • Spathi

            April 7, 2014 at 14:18

            Are you fine with under aged drinking?

          • Robert Hart

            April 7, 2014 at 18:15

            Definitely not. Its illegal for a minor to drink alcohol. It is not illegal for a minor to play age restricted games if they have their parents consent.

          • Spathi

            April 8, 2014 at 08:00

            And the reason it is illegal to drink for a minor is….?

          • Robert Hart

            April 8, 2014 at 09:40

            Thing is I’ve already mentioned that there is no valid or good reason for it. The game mode that FPB rates is not played at tournaments.

          • Spathi

            April 8, 2014 at 09:54

            That I do agree with, but then there should be two separate ratings as you suggested, because currently it is pure speculation that the content rated is not the same for offline and online.

          • Robert Hart

            April 7, 2014 at 18:15

            You are also comparing a drug like substance to a sport.

          • Spathi

            April 8, 2014 at 08:00

            Sport is also a “drug like” substance….

          • Robert Hart

            April 8, 2014 at 09:40

            Bullshit.

          • Spathi

            April 8, 2014 at 09:56

            Well physical exercise can be addictive, but it doesn’t do any harm when used correctly. The same applies to alcohol.

            Edit: Gaming can also be addictive, from there my analogy.

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            April 7, 2014 at 14:20

            It’s not discrimination.

            We gamers love to tote that gaming isn’t bad for us. But let’s face it, it can be at a inappropriate age.

            You and I have very different viewpoints.

            I understand your viewpoint that to be the very best at it they should be allowed to get the exposure etc. Experience it all first hand and that they are going to play the games regardless of whether it’s official or not. I get that. I’d usually also agree with you.

            However there are negatives to allowing a kid who is too young for specific material to be part of it on a professional level. It’s irresponsible of the parents and of the organisers. It can have a negative affect on younger and more impressionable kids. Just because your kid is good at Rugby at age 13 doesn’t mean he should be allowed to play at an international level against others far older than he is and 3 times his size.

            A bad example I know but as you said gaming is vastly different. It’s almost impossible to draw a real comparison. He can however play against others his own age at school. However the rules are far more strict. No rough tackles. No this, no that etc; that make the game so dangerous at an adult level.

            Therefore gaming should have those same kinda things in place. No ultra violent games.

            Another example. Toddlers in Tiaras. Ever seen that show? Ever seen how damaged those kids are by being made to act adult in an adult industry that is not appropriate for them?

            There are no restrictions there and those poor kids will grow up in a terrible way.

            Your 13 year old playing rugby has far less chance of being severely injured because the rules are put in place to ensure the kid’s safety in the game because they are younger. There it’s understood that age means a differant play style.

            No differant to gaming. Younger means a differant playstyle. Less violent games. I’m not saying they may not play at all. Just that they need to play age appropriate or if they want in to the big leagues (CoD, BF etc) then they need to be at least 16 with parental consent. Not under 16. Under 16 should have a differant rule set (game lineup) than the “adult” section of the sport

          • Norm the Horrible

            April 7, 2014 at 14:59

            ‘Imagine the public going “But look how bloody this game is and they allowed a 13 year old to play?”‘

            Agree with you there.

            Despite the child going home and playing violent games at home, it certainly does not give a good impression to the general public watching them doing such. Also I think parents do need to be a bit more strict on the types on games their children play.

            I don’t let me children play with toy guns because I don’t want them to get used to pointing a gun at someone so easily. Once they are old enough to understand the concept of a gun, I will explain it to them. I know, off the topic of gaming but I think the point is the same.

            My humble opinion.
            =)

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            April 7, 2014 at 17:02

            Your point is relevant in the same way that young rugby rules being different is relevant. It’s an acceptance that at a younger age there need to be different rules to protect the child.

            So completely relevant and I absolutely agree with you

  6. Han Cilliers

    April 7, 2014 at 13:44

    Not even one link to GameZone…dissapoint

    Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      April 7, 2014 at 13:45

      Sorry! your article wasn’t up yet at the time of writing – had to use twitter.

      Reply

      • Han Cilliers

        April 7, 2014 at 14:43

        Any link wouldve been cool, but thanks for the update.

        Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      April 7, 2014 at 13:45

      Can you update us on the age restriction questions below?

      Reply

      • Han Cilliers

        April 7, 2014 at 14:44

        I’ve asked that very same question on the MWEB article :O

        Reply

        • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

          April 7, 2014 at 14:50

          [insert dun dun duuuuuun sound effect here]

          Reply

    • The D

      April 7, 2014 at 13:48

      Article went up before yours did, so there was nothing to link to, besides the fact that Zoe did mention that this was an Mweb event several times. We have added the link now though.

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      April 7, 2014 at 13:54

      • Norm the Horrible

        April 7, 2014 at 15:00

        Had a very good chuckle at this. Thank you Sir.

        Reply

      • HvR

        April 7, 2014 at 15:03

        somebody needs to close the kitty loop!!!

        Reply

  7. Kromas

    April 7, 2014 at 14:26

    Next time a 13 year old shoots up a school etc etc and games get blamed I will be pointing fingers not only to parents as I usually do but also to events that allow them to play these games in a competitive environment. I am sorry but as much as I want gaming to be a serious thing I also want gaming not to be the headliner at every psychopath shooting around the world.

    Reply

  8. Norm the Horrible

    April 7, 2014 at 14:50

    But but but..What about MSSA? #trollol

    Reply

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