Complexity: Year in Review 2008
Where at that time of year again people, Christmas, Hanukah and other celebration times around the world. The New Year is rapidly approaching us while we count down the remaining days left of the year. With that in mind, we welcome you to the High-Points and the Low-Points for The Syndicate throughout the year. Welcome to the 2008 Year in Review.
January
We finally made it to the New Year, the month of January; and it brought us one of the most thoughtful and respected events ever introduced into action by a gaming organization such as LA compLexity. That event was none other than the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) in 2008. In an official statement released by GM Jason “1” Lake; he would go on to explain this concept he had in his mind. Jason Lake is quoted by saying: “Gamers can make a difference in the world. Why settle for the bad reputation they’ve given us when we can be out there helping people every day of the year? Take a stand. Spread kindness in your life. ” This would lead to the organization doing multiple things for the people who needed it the most throughout the year. This month also brought us the release of the much anticipated Counter-Strike guide “The Art of CS”, also called TAO-CS. The Syndicates own Ron “Rambo” Kim, along with Ognian “steel” Gueorguiev (formerly of team 3D) and Duncan “Thoran” Shields (ESEA, and other sites) released this in-depth coverage guide to the e-Sports community.
February
The CEVO-P Season 5 Source season continued in the month of February as the teams fought hard to make it to the playoffs. Weeks past and the playoff field began to shape itself into picture. Team Guardians, Carolina Core, Dallas Venom, San Francisco Optx, LA compLexity, and Pandemic were the teams who played solid enough to make the cut. After an up and down season, The LA compLexity was knocked out of the playoffs disappointingly, losing to teams: San Francisco Optx and the Carolina Core; and did not finish high enough to earn themselves any money for their efforts.
March
The second season of the Championship Gaming Series (CGS) was set to take off this month, and it all started with the CGS Combine/Draft; which took place at the Austin Convention Center, in Austin, Texas. The Syndicates very own: Amies and digx were in attendance, as well as LA compLexity’s GM Jason Lake. Mr. Lake would select Carl “Perfect Legend” White with his first pick of the draft (second overall.) He then set his focus on Matt “Warden” Dickens with his next selection, to complete the Counter-Strike team.
April
With the month at almost a stand-still, the next season of CEVO-Source was announced; Season 6. After the LA compLexity made the playoffs the season before, and their disappointing exit without anything to show for it; they would surely be looking for redemption this season. When the lists of teams were announced, the LA compLexity was not one of them. The CGS preseason festivities also took place this month, with: warden, Rambo, fRoD, storm, and zet prepared for an attempt at a successful season.
May
Marcus “zet” Sundstrom began to dearly miss his home country of Sweden and General Manager Jason “1” Lake released him from his CGS contract and the compLexity Counter-Strike team. This left the compLexity roster incomplete, but it wouldn’t be long until zet’s replacement was announced; this made way for the addition of Corey “hanes” Hanes to join the team for the remainder of the CGS season.
June
The second season of the CGS was underway this month as the new faces and new games were set to prove wise on their selections. The General Manager of the LA compLexity Jason “1” Lake announced that his counter-strike team would be competing in both Source and 1.6 during the CGS season. This would lead to the team participating in the WCG Online Qualifying event. Along with themselves, they would compete against teams such as: makeSHIFT, zsm, and sts. They would go on to win the online qualifier, and earn their shot to play in the LAN-event that included teams: Mug N Mouse, and Team Guardians. Although the team did not win that tournament, it was used for a stepping-stone to a successful run in CEVO-P later in the year.
July
Back in June, The complexity Syndicate announced that they would be participating in Counter-Strike 1.6 during the off-season of the CGS. CEVO then made special exceptions in letting coL compete in the CEVO-P division. After a mediocre start, complexity turned it on finishing their first full 1.6 season since the CGS, at 15-7; thus earning the #2 seed going into the playoffs. This month also brought us the the Fatal1ty scene mall tour as it kicked off when they set-up in the “Dirty Bird” state; Atlanta, Georgia. Our very own Ron “Rambo” Kim was in attendance for the LA complexity franchise.
August
Continuing on the Fatal1ty scene mall tour, their next stop came in California; when they arrived at the Northridge Fashion Center, in the city of Northridge. LA compLexity players: Megan “Belle” Ceder and CJ “GTO” Nelson was in attendance to represent their respected franchise, the “LA compLexity”. The much anticipated book “Game Boys” was released as it featured the rivalry between Team 3D and compLexity. The book’s authors were able to follow the two teams to various events and gather the information available in the book.
September
The LA compLexity made their debut in the CEVO Season 9 1.6 playoffs after about a year and a half. They had a solid showing throughout the regular season and were rewarded with a first round bye. Team compLexity continued to show their relentlessness throughout the upper-bracket and they finished it without one loss. They would meet team MoB.Gaming in the Best-of-Three finals round where they would eventually fall, finishing a well-respected second place.
October
Following the excitement in the release of the book “Game Boys”, a new project had been announced to the public and the release date was unknown. A DVD movie in the same concept of the book, we’re the creator’s followed and featured two of the top gaming organizations at that time: Team 3D, and compLexity. They worked hard to bring the viewers a visual behind the scenes perspective of what it’s like to be in those two organizations.
November
Coming into this month, The Syndicate knew that they would be competing in the 1.6 and Source CGS Pro-Am tournaments. They would be attempting to win the Cash Prize in both games at the same time. In Counter-Strike Source: they were able to advance far into the bracket, but fell short of the championship round. They were, however, able to finish the Pro-Am 1.6 season undefeated all the way ‘til the championship round where they defeated Paragon of Virtue to claim the league title. A few weeks later, the Championship Gaming Series (CGS) announced that they would officially come to a close and all the former 1.6 greats are released from their contracts. While this posed a serious threat to gaming organizations who did not have sponsors at that time to fuel their business, it gave way to loads of hope for those 1.6 dreamers out there that; we could quite possibly see resurrection of what we had in the past.
December
One of the worst months in eyes of the fans for The Syndicate happened to be in the same month of the Holidays. Long time complexity players: Danny “fRoD” Montaner, Matt “Warden” Dickens, Tyler “Storm” Woods, and along with Corey “Hanes” Hanes; announced that they were signing with a new organization, thus ending their tenure under the compLexity name. However, with change comes a new beginning and we at compLexity Gaming promise you fans a bigger, better complexity. The future of this great organization never looked brighter and we promise to work hard for all you loyal fans out there.
With the year coming to a close, and it seems almost like it was yesterday when it started; we at compLexity Gaming hope everyone had a fun, enjoyable holiday season. We wish you all a wonderful New Year and we hope that you loyal fans stick with us until the end. As always, your continued and loyal support only fuels us to be the very best at what we do. Thank you!