MLG Orlando Qualifier Champs!
January 5, 2010 by Jay "Zalieum" Biros · Leave a Comment
With the 2009 Orlando Qualifier at its end, there is just one team that remains victorious. It was a long fought battle for all teams and they are all sure to give a good showing at Orlando. Without further ado, the Orlando Qualifier Champions are, Online Points!
Team Roster:
Online points: Calm Mentality, Composure brahh, D34M0N, & KonshiMentality
Online Points came into the playoffs as the 20th seed. They had two 3-2 matches and three 3-0 sweeps with one being the finals against Home-Lan-Security. Be sure to look out for Online points and all the other great teams that competed in the 2009 Orlando Qualifiers at the MLG Orlando National Championships this weekend, January 8th through the 10th!
Dr Pepper Ultimate Winter Break Update
January 4, 2010 by Jay "Zalieum" Biros · 1 Comment
With MLG Orlando 2009 fast approaching, things are beginning to fall into place. On December 16th, the Dr Pepper Ultimate Winter Break came down to the semi-finals. The match ups were Effin Ninja (1) VS. Perplexion! (28) and u knw ron rig (19) VS. CAMO n GTFO (2). The favor of the ladder, Effin Ninja, came out of his match victorious and beat 28th seeded Perplexion! 2-1. In the 2nd match of the semi-finals the underdog, 19th seeded, u knw ron rig, pulled the upset over CAMO n GTFO 2-1. Each of these series was hard fought and both players deserve to be in the finals come Orlando. I got a chance to sit down with both players with a little interview.
Congratulations on earning your spot in the Dr Pepper 1v1 finals in MLG Orlando! Why don’t we start off with telling me a little about how you got into the game and 1v1s.
Effin Ninja: It started off with halo 2, I was 13 and I was visiting family in Arizona and my brothers were playing Halo 2 on XBL and I never heard about it. I asked to play and they said, “No, you’re to young and you will suck.” I got XBL and Halo 2 when I got home and ended up surpassing my brothers in skill 10 fold. So then GameBattles halo 3 1v1s came out and I was bored and realized I was the best.
Gjjonii: First of one of my friends named Richie Kumar or as we call him “Kumz”, I was over his house one day and he was playing Halo 2 and I had no idea how to play or what to do. But I was having so much fun so when I left his house I went out and bought me a copy. So time went on and I was pretty bad at Halo 2 but then when halo 3 came out I saw it as a chance to be the best at something!
Effin Ninja, since you came into the playoffs as the number 1 seed you must have been confident. On the other hand gjjonii, you came into the finals as the 19th seed! It is pretty impressive that you took down the number 2 player on the ladder. How did you guys feel coming into the playoffs?
Effin Ninja: To be honest I knew that I would win. The only competition I had was on the other side of the bracket, Chaos, but somehow Gjjonii beat him. I can guarantee victory on LAN.
Gjjonii: I felt confident that I could beat anyone since before the playoffs began I beat Effin Ninja.
Seems like you are both very confident in your game. That should make a good performance for us watching at Orlando. How will you guys prepare for the finals in less than a month?
Effin Ninja: My teammate Aye Rab is the SMARTEST 1v1 player on guardian, HANDS DOWN! He is going to be scrimming me everyday until the event.
Gjjonii: Personally for me I will just practice a lot probably against a lot of people I know that are good that didn’t make it to the finals. Like, I will try different playing styles against different people and see which one works best.
Do you guys have Event or LAN experience and do you think it will change the way you take your 1v1 at the Orlando finals?
Effin Ninja: I have been to 2 events so far, 5th round event 1 but Aye Rab and I carried. Second event I placed 26th and went +27 in pro bracket. The only thing that will change from XBL to LAN is the shots that my opponent won’t eat.
Gjjonii: I have a lot of LAN experience at like local tournaments like NJhalo and other places, but Ninja has more experience at events and has points.
That crowd can be pretty daunting. This being the first Halo 3 1v1 on the main stage, how do you guys plan to win them over? Anything special?
Effin Ninja: I know that I have a lot of people who have already been messaging me saying they will be there cheering me on. I would say that I play on having a fan club there, but I will win the crowd over with my gameplay.
Gjjonii: I guess to tell you the truth I will be very nervous in front of all those people, but I know Ninja really well so this is gunna be fun.
Now I’m no Chris Pucket, but I think its time for a Zaleium speed round. You guys ready?
Effin Ninja: Bring it!
Gjjonii: IM READY TO DESTROY!
1v1s or 4v4s?
Effin Ninja: 4v4s.
Gjjonii: Both.
Camo or Sniper?
Effin Ninja: Sniper.
Gjjonii: Sniper.
Sneakers or Sandals?
Effin Ninja: Sandals.
Gjjonii: Sneakers.
Slippery Pickle or Naughty Armadillo?
Effin Ninja: Naughty Armadillo.
Gjjonii: Naughty Armadillo.
TD or STR8?
Effin Ninja: Neither, my team.
Gjjonii: TD.
MLG Insider or MLG Insider?
Effin Ninja: MLG Insider? LoL!
Gjjonii: IDK, that’s a tough one…
Good luck in Orlando guys. I know I will be there cheering you both on. Be sure to hit me up! Before I wrap this up, any shout outs?
Effin Ninja: Shout out to my boy Aye Rab, Nate, and Motas who started my competitive gaming career.
Gjjonii: Hell ya to Nick Gjoni, Nate, Richie Kumar, Bee Shey, Zember, CrickCity, Ninja’s brother Jon, and to my last opponent Chaos aka Scottie! They’re many more but not enough space.
Gjjonii wanted me to spread the word that he is going by the name Mac Baby at the event. Orlando is sure to be an exciting event for both 4v4 Halo teams and our 1v1 finalists. These two finalists have already won themselves a all expense paid trip to the Orlando National Championships. Be sure to tune in for them battling for $2,000 prize and the Dr Pepper Ultimate Winter Break crown on January 8th-10th at the MLG 2009 Orlando National Championships!
Orlando Qualifier Update
December 6, 2009 by apollo · Leave a Comment
With the Championships coming in just a few weeks, teams are fighting to the very end in the play-off bracket of the Orlando Qualifier, and feel its time we start to keep everyone uptodate on possibly some of the next pro teams.
The bracket is in its 4th round of play and we have some serious teams facing off here.
In the first match of round 4 we have Riot Gear!(32) facing off against Online Points(20).
Rosters:
Riot Gear: Quinnzy tHE G, Supportal, Susco, z k1ng
Online Points: Calm Mentality, Composure brahh, D34M0N, KonshiMentality
In the second match of round 4 we have You like this(3) against Home Lan Security(7)
Rosters:
You Like This: a Kim Possible, iFulfill, schnykeees, Senor Sno
Home Lan Security: P0cketz HLS, Gremlinnnnnnnnn, Chuck Wolfman, BB xMeRcE
In the losers bracket:
In the first match of round 4 of the losers bracket we have Warm Fuzzy Sweaters(25) against OmniSlayer(1)
In the second match we have Get the Four(12) against Pardon our Gangsta(29)
In the third match we have Teh Second Coming(11) against Alabama Mantees(4)
In the fourth match we have x The Hollow x(15) against PlaynTradeWGV(9)
Dr Pepper Ultimate Winter Break Ladder Update
November 30, 2009 by Jay "Zalieum" Biros · Leave a Comment
The Dr Pepper Ultimate Winter Break Ladder is in full swing and has some impressive winning streaks heading into the final weeks. With most people playing CoD Modern Warfare 2 since it’s release, these players have been hard at work playing the Dr Pepper Ultimate Winter Break Ladder. With $2,000 on the line and a trip to the MLG Orlando Nation Championships, you can bet these players will be fighting for the top spots on the ladder until the playoffs begin on December 7th.
1st: Check my Anaheim Stats
EffinNinja is an 18-year-old college student from Grayslake, Illinois attending Silver Lake College. He is currently holding steady with a record of 77 wins and 2 losses and is in 1st place. He has a streak of 27 wins. Will he continue to stay on top until the playoffs begin? Only the other competitors can step up and say no.
“If I play a little a day I plan on holding the #1 seed to playoffs.” -EffinNinja
2nd: BIGGS
BIGGS tbsa is a 21 year old from Dallas, Texas. His current record is 81 wins and 17 losses and is in 2nd place. He has a streak of 12 wins. Even while dropping all the way to the 9th position earlier on the ladder, he has clawed his way back to the # 2 spot in the competition. With this kind of determination, I think we could be seeing BIGGS heading into the playoffs with the #2 seed.
“Drive. That’s the only thing in my mind on this ladder.” -BIGGS
3rd: 9/13/09 M<3E
c4 XLEK is a 15 year-old from Houston, Texas. His current record is 47 wins and 3 losses and he is in 3rd place. XLEK has a winning streak of 3 wins. We will have to see if XLEK can take the #2 spot heading into the playoffs.
“I know I can beat everyone above me.” -XLEK
4th: CAMO n GTFO
Chaos is EZ has a current record of 46 wins and 8 losses. He is currently in 4th place and has a winning streak of 8 wins. Will he take XLEK’s 3rd place spot? Only Chaos is EZ can change that fact. Lets wait and find out if he can do it!
5th: <3 Sarah
MaC BaBy’s record is 45 wins and 2 loss and is in 4th place. He has a streak of 2 losses. Unfortunately, he is currently locked from the ladder. All we can do is wait and see if he can salvage lost time in the final weeks of the ladder.
6th: Winds of Plague
K22 Vtec has a record of 25 wins and 2 losses. He is currently in 6th place and has a winning streak of 7 wins. Lets see what he can do before ladder play ends and playoffs begin.
7th: That girl is a Dime they say
Final Hunter has a record of 70 wins and 10 losses. He is currently in 7th place and has a winning streak of 2 wins. Lets see how far he can progress before playoffs.
8th: [Hydra] Gab
Gabriel has a record of 24 wins and 4 losses. He is currently in 8th place and has a streak of 1 win. He will let us know what he is capable of in just a few weeks!
With stats like this on the ladder thus far, playoffs are sure to be exciting for everyone that qualifies. The Dr. Pepper Ladder will conclude at the MLG National Championships in Orlando Florida. Be sure to tune in and see the 1st and 2nd place qualifiers battle it out for the $2,000 Grand prize and a shot at the 1st place crown of the Dr. Pepper Ultimate Winter Break on January 8th-10th. It is hard to tell who will head to Nationals. With the gameplay so far, we can see any of these hopeful competitors at the MLG National Championships!
*Please note, as this is a 1v1 winter ladder, standings will change constantly*
MW2 Ladder Update
November 24, 2009 by apollo · Leave a Comment
Whats going on everyone, with all the hype surrounding Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, we figure we should bring you uptodate with all the teams that are rocking the leaderboards. Now i’ve re-written this about 5 times because the standings chance every night.
Lets take it from the top, in first place we have ExceLLence. They have a great record of 76 and 5; also they are on an insane 21 game winning streak. Their only 3 losses have been to current 23rd ranked Team Almost,155th ranked NTP, and a team that does not seem to be together anymore.
In second place we have Obsolete!, they are 53 and 2 on the ladder. They are on an impressive 29 game winning streak.
In third we have Encore. They are on an 31 game winning streak with a record of 50 and 5.
In fourth we have Exclusive Gaming Rights, they are 62 and 3 on the ladder and are on a 21 game winnings streak.
In fifth we have AfterShock, they are 32 and 0 in the ladder and obviously are on a 32 game winning streak. But what could you epect from a group of CoD4 pros.
In sixth we have Most Hated, they are 82 and 15 and have the most wins of any MW2 team on the ladder.
In seventh we have Nightmare, they are 24 and 3.
In eighth we have LackLuster Talent they are 36 and 5 on the ladder.
Interview with CRA, now Oasis
October 31, 2009 by apollo · Leave a Comment
Apollo: Hey whats up everyone, I got a chance to sit down with the entire team of CRA or Clean Rich Adolescents. The winners of the Halo 3 Anaheim Qualifier. This is a group of great guys and i wish them well at Anahiem!
BlakeumZ: Before we start the interview out, I’d like to clear up a name change really quick. On the ladder we are known as “Clean Rick Adolescents”, but the name is too long for the events so we will be attending Anaheim as “Oasis”.
Apollo: Alright so how about starting off by just introducing yourselves(Name, where your from, what got you into MLG, anything else you can think of)
Ashes: I’m Ashes (Mike Cholko), I’m from Philadelphia, PA, I got into MLG about 4 years in Halo 2 just by playing team hardcore and hearing about it, and I loved the concept of BR start and competition at a high level, I got into a party with GH057ayame after a game of Team Hardcore and didn’t even know who he was at the time, added him as a friend, and that’s when I really started to get into things
BlakeumZ: My name’s Blake Roberts, I’m from Tigard, Oregon. I first got into competitive MLG through local tournaments held in our downtown city. Through those I met CAK, my future teammate – who was insanely better than me. Through about 6-8 months of solid improvement, I eventually got onto CAK’s level and began running with him for various LAN, and online tournaments.
CAK: My name is James (CAK69), i was born in the state of Oregon and continue to thrive in my birth place. I got into the game during the end of Halo 2, I was not a very solid player, but i continued to practice. Then i started taking competitive gaming seriously during the beginning halo 3. After placing well during local tournament I found that i had potential.
VictuMM: My name’s VictuMM (Matt Kunke), I’m from Clackamas, Oregon. I first got into MLG a little bit back in Halo 2 by running MLG customs with my neighbors. Although I wasn’t very into it back than. I got really into it in Halo 3 just by playing MLG playlist and starting to go to LAN’s and local tournaments.
Apollo: Have any of you attended MLG events before?
CAK: I attended Meadows 09.
BlakeumZ:I have lanned at local events H3 probably 20+ times, however no.
Ashes: I attended Philadelphia, 2005
VictuMM: I have not gone to any; this will be my first one.
Apollo: With Anaheim so close, are you guys nervous at all about the event?
Ashes: I’m not worried about the event; I’m just worried about missing a few college classes on Thursday/Friday, and maybe Monday.
VictuMM: I’m not very nervous; I’m more pumped up and excited.
Ashes: Yea, VictuMM has his smarties ready.
CAK: No, I feel confident that our team will pull through; we just have to continue to put in hours for practice.
BlakeumZ: I’m not worried at all – these guys are the best teammates a guy could ask for. We all want the same thing, and NO ONE is stopping us.
Apollo: When I tell you guys that every team that has won the Online Qualifier that MLGInsider has interviewed has gone o n to place at least top 32 in the event, does this make you guys nervous at all?
VictuMM: I think we are very capable of placing top 32.
BlakeumZ:We don’t get nervous, just excited.
CAK: It adds some pressure to our shoulders, but i believe we can live up to that.
Ashes: No, it makes me feel even better about our chances. Who wouldn’t like to hear a stat like that?
Apollo: That would have to be whoever gets paired against you in round 1.
VictuMM: Hahahaha
Apollo: So, do you guys plan on sticking together after Anaheim?
Ashes: As long as we can get a sponsor afterwards, sure. I’m going to be going on Christmas break from college for a month, and as long as we’re a good team with a sponsor I’ll dedicate time when I’m home to keep practicing, otherwise, nope
Apollo: How long have you guys been together as a team?
VictuMM: Cak, Blake and I have been teaming for about 2 months
BlakeumZ: Cak and I – for quite a while. We picked up Victumm about 2 months ago. Ashes recently hopped on board 3-4 weeks ago through Victumm.
Apollo: When Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 comes out are you guys going to switch to that or stick with Halo?
Ashes: Stick with Halo, I haven’t played any other video game since 2004
BlakeumZ: What is Call of Duty?
Apollo: If you guys get into the pro bracket and end up facing a pro team, which team would you guys not want to face?
VictuMM: I heard that Str8 Rippin did not want to play us.
BlakeumZ: Str8 Rippin – They may have stumbled in Dallas, but I’m confident they’ll regain #1 come Anaheim.
Ashes: I wouldn’t want to face Triggers Down, Hysteria’s trash talk might hurt VictuM’s feelings.
CAK: I personally would not want to play Str8 Rippin, because i know how dissappointed they were with their placing at Dallas. Their going to come out guns blazing.
Apollo: Do you guys have any LANs set up for the days before anahiem?
VictuMM: We actually have one for tomorrow. But it will only be the 3 of us over here in Oregon.
CAK: Yep, just the 3 musketeers.
Ashes: I’m just going to be split screening with a local here in Philly to get used to the resolution change on Wednesday, otherwise I’ll just be on Xbox Live.
Apollo: Alright guys, that’s about it for me…Got any shoutouts before we wrap things up here?
BlakeumZ: Bigups to Rhymesayers, Ent, Wembley Park, Senses <3, and ShadowfireZ for his sick sig he’s made us!
VictuMM: Shout out to Cpoon and Ned Flanders. haha
Ashes: Im going to have to give a shout out to my close friend Christian (TT69z), he let me borrow the mythic Halo 3 disk to practice Heretic. I also have to give a big shoutout to Colin (Recycle), he is letting me barrow is Astros for Anaheim.
Apollo: Alright guys, thanks alot and good luck.
Halo 3 Anaheim Qualifier Champs
October 30, 2009 by apollo · Leave a Comment
We here at MLGInsider would like to congratulate Clean Rich Adolescents, the Halo 3 Anaheim online qualifier champions! Keep your eyes here on MLGInsider for an interview with them.
Interview with Connect 4
October 28, 2009 by apollo · Leave a Comment
Apollo: Hey, whats up everyone, I got a chance to sit down with Connect 4, formally known as Anarchy. They hold the 7th seed in Rainbow 6 Vegas 2. Their a great group of guys and here is what they had to say.
Apollo: Hey, guys thanks a lot for doing this, why don’t you guys take a quick second and introduce yourself.
Berg: Hey, my name is James Berghaier. I’m from Philadelphia, PA and my friends got me into SOCOM originally but back in Rainbow Six Vegas FBI Bloodline (Plague, Rocco, Clipse, Reverend, & Soulja) introduced me to MLG.
DarkZone: I’m Dark Zone aka: Matt from Indiana, I’m growing up in Indiana……there is corn EVERYWHERE so i just started playing games since I was a little kid and eventually started going to MLG events in 2005.
Minard: I’m Steven (The Ripper) Minard. I got xbox for Christmas 2 years ago and my first online game was battlefield. And i liked the game, then i got Vegas 2 and i used to love using a spas 12 on the back stairs at calypso casino. I finally met Waters and i joined a nice clan on gamebattles the first pros i met who got me into MLG were tekknique, Jwho, and all the people from Body Count on Vegas 1, I wanted to be like them so I tried playing MLG and i was nasty at it.
Digital: I’m Michael Mackowiak, From Seminole FL, Don’t know what really got me into gaming.. Just being a kid I guess.
Apollo: So I have heard you have gone through a roster change within the past few weeks, would you care to explain what happened?
Digital: Pemby & Synikal were unable to attend Nationals which kind of left us in a bind. We had a few options that weren’t looking so good and then 1 day DZ approached us. We decided that since he already has 2 National championships under his belt and a lot of experience he could be a good help to the team. And Minard was more of the wildcard but he’s shown up when we needed in scrim and got 2nd in the FFA Event at Meadows before the Rainbow circuit started in SD. After all the doubts people have about him, he’s more than ready to go to LAN and rip.
Minard: Actually its more like riiiiiiiiiiiippppppp!
Apollo: Alright so Minard, how do you feel about these guys picking you up?
Minard: I feel good, even though this is my first LAN even with a real team i am very confident. Especially going in with a Captain like dark zone, he has had great outcomes, and has alot of experience, and i think we can make it to the top
Apollo: What place will you guys be in going into Nationals and how are you guys preparing?
Dark Zone: We are going into Nationals in seventh place. As for preparing, first, if we can get dig to grow up we would like to finish going over callouts and strategies. We are also the newest formed team attending and are behind on building up to what a team should be. If we put in the work I expect a top 4 placing. But, if people act like they are in middle school, we should place around 6th.
Apollo: Alright so, do you see Rainbow 6 Vegas 2 being on the circuit for next season?
Minard: Not a chance.
Apollo: Do you guys have plans for after Nationals? If so what are they?
Berg: We’re probably all moving to or at least going try to out Modern Warfare 2.
Apollo: Alright, so what do you guys think makes Rainbow 6 Vegas 2 different from the other shooters on the circuit?
Berg: The shooting is different. This is mostly because of recoil. We don’t have perks that make it less realistic, but we do have one of the worst cover systems known to man. Also, in our game 1 person can take a game over at any point and time somewhat like Halo:CE. Whereas in other games while you can have a big play, but you can’t take control.
Minard: You also can not cook grenades or stick people with them.
Apollo: So, how are you guys feeling for nationals? Are you guys excited? Scared?
Berg: Personaly, I”m excited. It has been a year since I got to play on LAN. We’re no longer limited by connections or any of that. And scared is something we’re definitely not. We know who we have to beat and what we have to do to beat them. We’re prepared to go ahead and do that…
Apollo: So Minard, you mentioned before this will be your first LAN event, are you nervous at all?
Minard: : No, not at all. I’m going to do my thing, and my team going to do theirs. Nervous isn’t in my vocabulary.
Apollo: So what would you guys say one of your greatest strengths as a team is?
Dark Zone: I defiantly think its our attitude, some of us are determined while other have something to prove, I think we all want it bad enough to win. All we have to do is go out and do it.
Apollo: What would you say the most difficult aspect of MLG Rainbow 6 Vegas 2 is?
Berg: Most likely finding teams to scrim against.
Dark Zone: Yeah without a doubt
Minard: For sure.
Dark Zone: To compensate a lot of the times we have to play against Gamebattles teams that have horrible connections and use horrible weapons like the AK.
Minard: Ohh and Dark not being able to leave our spawn area also hurts us a lot.
Dark Zone: Yeah, I’ve been having connection issues lately.
Apollo: So with Nationals coming up is there one team that you do not want to play?
Berg: No, I think by the time Nationals comes we’ll be prepared for anything that comes our way.
Apollo: Alright guys, that just about does it for me. You guys have any shoutouts you would like to give send out before we are finished up here?
Minard: Yeah I would like to thank Synikal for giving me this opportunity to go to Nationals.