Lets start with the bad news. It saddens us all at DES to say goodbye to two great members, Tipper and Jamz, you both will be missed. Noone can replace what you two have done for this clan and for that 1,000 thank yous. We wish you both well in your life journeys. Now for the good news, we welcome Robtics into DES. Robtics is former BC, RA, and NR. Robtics has been playing for almost 2 years. He averages out our age alittle bit by joining the younger guys at being 15 years of age.
It’s been a while, but since the last update a few things have happened in DES. We’ve seen Vampy and riverOut return to AC (if only briefly) for the first time in over a year. We’ve seen byrus return from too much work. We’ve had some scuffles. We’ve seen Mr.Floppy return from self-imposed exile, straight into helping out on the upcoming 1.1 release. We’ve seen massive contributions to this release from many DES members, in the way of suggestions, testing, hosting, sounds (GeneralDisarray’s voicecom tweaks – committed to SVN) and, of course, mapping (ac_outpost – committed to SVN, to sit alongside ac_iceroad and ac_werk). This will truly be another milestone in AC’s history, and all of DES join with the community in thanking the developers for their continuing commitment.
But the biggest news, and the reason for writing this, is the introduction of our newest member, Inline. Inline has been playing AC for about a year, has been in CF, NSL and even co-ran his own clan for a ilttle bit. He comes from the USA and has a habit of ‘Nice shot’-ing you into submission.
As we settle in one new member, another two come along at the same time. Our congratulations and warm welcomes go to GeneralDisarray (who’ll be playing, primarily, as DES|GenDisarray) and V-Man.
GeneralDisarray, who is the more senior member by a matter of hours, hails from the UK and has been playing AC for about 6 months. He slowly nagged his way into our consciences by quietly keeping himself to himself, pubbing away with his conspicuous name.
V-Man, who passed our rigourous testing procedure just minutes ago, came to our attention with rounded, well-considered, intelligent opinions on the AC forums. He comes from the US, apparently in the mountains, has been playing AC since December and has lots to say for himself.
Congratulations to Boomhauer who joined the DES ranks on Sunday/Monday. One-time CTK member and some-time ladder whore, Boom/Boomy/His Boomness hails from the USA. There is absolutely no doubt that he was meant to be in DES; like most of us he’s a maturer player with a slight screw loose. Yesterday he joined a game looking for a partner for a game against MCNNM. On receiving a ‘no thanks’, the potential opponent asked, “Is there any other DES on IRC” a couple of times. Obviously struggling for a fitting reply, Boomhauer’s only response was “cracker!”. We’re looking forward to more of the same.
In other news, this front page has mysteriously omitted the releases of ac_safari (Bukz) ac_desolate (Ruthless), and ac_cairn (R4zor) within a week of each other. They’ll all be available to download from our mapping page shortly and will be appearing on the Custom|DES server when the admin sorts out his stuff. Please make sure you download the maps, as missing custom content could impair you enjoyment of these fine works.
Just a brief note to say, with the loss of Mr.Floppy, we needed a new council member to keep up the numbers. This was a tricky decision, but Ruthless was selected on the grounds of length of service, knowledge of AC and his superb attitude to the game. Belated congratulations Ruth, and sorry I forgot to put this here earlier.
December was a quiet month for DES. There were lots of battles, clan-matches and public games alike. Some we won and some we lost. We had a good showing in the AC Mapping Contest #4, with 3rd (ac_stellar – Halo and Bukz) and 5th (ac_noct – Dreamer). Our congratulations go to the winner, dm_canicule_night by SnD, who we all thought was Sundown using a pseudonym.
Then, the bomb-shell was dropped; Mr.Floppy announced his decision to cease all AC activity for personal reasons. Mr.Floppy joined DES in March 2008 already demonstrating the mapping skills that would lead to him achieving the ultimate AC mapper’s accolade – official map status for ac_keller in the v1.0 release. His contributions to the community in the areas of mapping and other map customisation are widely recognised, especially through his work on the akimbo site, and his views were always eagerly awaited and respected. He’ll be sorely missed on IRC by those of us who appreciated his acerbic wit and improptu cigarette breaks.
Some of Mr.Floppy’s best work can be experienced on the Custom|DES server which has laucnched (officially) today. This server, which has been running for some weeks as test_server, has a maprot consisting entirely of custom maps made by DES members. Needless to say, these maps are of the same quality, or higher, as the official maps from DES members. Most of them are being played on servers around the community already. Some of the maps use custom content; you can download everything required via our mapping page.
It’s that time of year again; time to celebrate a successful second year of gaming for Dedicated Elite Soldiers.
This time last year DES had just 17 members, so it’s been a year of recruiting, as well as one of high-quality map output and ever-presence on public servers. There have been downs as well as ups, but resolving the problems only makes us stronger.
Here’s to another fun-packed year. Cheers.
ps. Drinks are on DES all day.
After a couple of false starts, and what seems like an age, Dreamer has been accepted to DES. Once of W$N and KH, Dreamer has, for some weeks, stated that DES is the only clan he wanted to join; in August he wrote, “…being invited into DES, if it is to happen, will not happen overnight.” Only three months later, here he is. Congratulations Dreamer.