Quote:Wow another year has passed and we wish you all a Happy New Year.

Last year was another successful year with a great xLAN and World Cyber Games Qualifier, eblacks getting results beyond expectations with a Gold Medal at the Asian championship and CounterStrike and TrackMania both progressing out of pool play at the World Cyber Games Grand final and the saving of ICONZArena(now Gamerhub).

This year plans is bigger than ever with two events the primary event in July and a second event held at Armageddon Auckland in October. Signups and further details for the July event will be available very soon.

Personally we have had some excitement, we are going to be having our first child mid this year. This has made us rethink our commitment to e-sports/gaming and with allot of sadness have decided to retire and no longer be an active part of the community to allow us to focus on our family. We of course do not want our legacy to be lost so have negotiated for another group to purchase xLAN and Gamerhub and they will continue to deliver events, game servers and World Cyber Game Qualifiers to the level that you have grown to expect.

The highlights of the years are many but I would like to remind you all of some of the greatest to us; Getting New Zealand official recognised as a separate region for the World Cyber Games, eBlacks winning the Asian Championship, five years continuous years of sell out events and running the biggest and most professional gaming event in Australasia.

We would like to thank the staff of our events without their support over the six years the events would not have been a reality. Additionally thanks to the select group of people who attended all our events coupled with the gratitude’s from many of attendees, this gave a purpose to what we did.

This is an extremely sad day for myself and Susan as it is an end of an era and can only hope what we have started will grow beyond our expectations.

It has been a great journey.

Tmdude & Dee-Zilla

Source: XLAN

T________T

Quote:... so have negotiated for another group to purchase xLAN and Gamerhub...

So... does that mean our usual XLAN "activities" will be less... overlooked?

One of the new xLAN organizers made a post about this year's xlan and also announced the dates for xlan 2010

Quote:As we formally bid farewell and hurl a mass of praise to both Deezilla and tmdude for the massive event they have created, and the massive boots they have left for us to fill, we still look to the 2010 xLAN event, and 2010 National WCG Qualifier. The show must go on, and indeed it shall, as the ON3 Network sets itself up to bring you this year's xLAN and what is sure to be a big WCG event.

The ON3 Network was set up as a venture to push forward gaming in New Zealand, and we intend to do that even more so than before with the continued hosting of GamerHub, xLAN, and more events both online and offline.

You might notice some new branding, and maybe a few new features around the place over the coming months. But you can rest, post, and play assured that this playground is here to stay. We're here for the long haul!

So you probably want to know who is behind ON3. I'm Arseynimz, and for those who don't know me, I've been involved with competitive gaming for over 3 years now, and prior to that, much like many of you, gaming in general since I was allowed to touch the family computer (Apple IIe playing Eagles and Wizadry I - lol). I'm now a clan captain for =[GD]=, Online Manager for Gamestah (eSports commentary and shoutcasting organisation), and used to own and run GameVault.

I founded ON3 with prolax, who has been gaming since he left the crib, and competitively so for the last 3 years also. He is currently a member of Team Sidewinder, but has run his own clans, as well as being involved in GameVault and CyberGamer on administrative levels also.

We will be making sure this place continues to grow, and make sure the events you have come to know improve on the already solid foundation and performance that tmdude and Deezilla have set. We are in the process of concluding arrangements with supporting parties, and the benefits of that support will of course come through to xLAN and WCG for 2010!

So without further ado..... The date has been set!!!!! Mark it off in your calendars boys and girls - Friday the 9th of July will be when it all happens again, and Sunday the 11th of July when it all finishes. A big year is planned, and already we are starting to see the makings of what will be yet another event to remember.

We welcome your feedback in the lead up to xLAN, and will have more updates very soon for all the important details, some lead up competitions, and of course where it will be held, the tournaments proposed, and the other important details!