Saturday 28th June  8:00pm BST

The Call of Duty United Offensive Custom Map League presented by the FoW Team kicked off this evening with [BBC]'s first match against the Cologne Terror Clan - |CTC|. We were really looking forward to playing maps and opponents we have never been played before.

Dust3, the Counter Strike map converted for CoD was the first one to be played and [BBC] started as axis.

|CTC| turned out to be tricky opponents. Well timed attacks and their patient way of playing saw us having some trouble to hold the important corners of this rather fast paced map. But after 6 rounds we adjusted and found the way to control their attacks. The first half ended 7:3 in favour of the British Brutal Crew seeing some sterling work by [BBC]MadMan on the left flank.

Now it was our turn to attack. After a quick chat, still unsure about how this was going to work out, we decided to push hard on one side of the map. This probably rather unusual tactics gave us an advantage in the early stages of the second half. But |CTC| adjusted to our plan and we had to rethink our strategy once again. Now it was all about the 1on1 situations and we had some tremendously tough fights at both bomb spots. The whole team and especially [BBC]MadChef over at Bomb B were able to keep a cool head and managed to take this half 7:3 as well.

Now it was time for german_town. A map we knew a bit better from our beery [BBC] Saturday Night S&D sessions. This time |CTC| let us choose sides and we started as axis. This map usually favours the attacking side but our tactics allowed us to control their moves. [BBC]Black Panther seemed to be always one step ahead in that middle house and we were able to win the first half yet again 7:3.

With this comfortable lead, knowing that we have already won the match we could set off some [BBC] fireworks as allies. We diversified our attacks and completely confused our opponent. [BBC]Johnfrost and [BBC]F!nger$ showed their skills down at the bomb spots to secure a 9:1 win.

All in all it was a very tough and thrilling match against a very friendly and skilled opponent.

It was a nice start for us in the CML and we look forward to our next match.

Good game all and see you next time.

Click here for screenshots

A Mouse Tale. The dangers of wandering off the beaten track(ball).

Despite having been an IT professional since 1987 I didn’t get my first PC until 1998.  It was a MESH 400Mhz PII and it came with a MESH roller ball mouse.  Although the mouse was adequate enough I always fancied having a trackball, possibly due to an unfulfilled childhood desire for an Atari TRAK-BALL to go with my Dad’s VCS.   I was also a massive fan of the arcade classic Missile Command, but I don’t know if that’s relevant.

So the first one I bought was the Microsoft Intellimouse Trackball and it coincided with the purchase of my first game for the PC, Halflife.  So it was that my love affair with online gaming and trackball’s began, a pairing that was destined to become inextricably linked.

Two years later and coming to the end of the useful life of my second Intellimouse Trackball, I began looking for an alternative.  Although the selection had improved somewhat with several different styles available including finger, thumb and palm balls, I found that the trackball itself was either too big, or too small or in the wrong place.  The number of buttons was important now too as I was working from home by this time and my trackball was now a work tool and not just something to play games with. 

Then I came across the best trackball in the world!  The Microsoft Trackball Explorer had just the right sized ball, perfectly placed in an ergonomic hand sized enclosure. When you lay your hand on the device the thumb rests perfectly on the Mouse1 button just below the wheel/Mouse3 and Mouse2.  The first two fingers rest naturally on the ball whilst two more buttons nestle under the third and pinky finger. The wheel and the buttons were fully programmable with o/s commands and even keystroke combinations.  The ball itself rests on 3 ball bearings and with the optics tracking the movement the device has no other moving parts. This was the perfect trackball!

The major benefit of using a trackball is that you need move only your fingers and thumb.  There’s no wrist, elbow or shoulder movement and for someone like me who regularly spends 16 hours a day at a desk, that is extremely important. Had I been a mouse user these past 10 years I’d likely have been a serious candidate for RSI or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by now.  The trackball has some advantages over a mouse in gaming too.  My movement is slightly different to that of a mouse user and I can spin around quicker than most.  Unlike some types of mouse there is no movement of the device when I press the fire button.  It also means you can take your hand off and grab crafty swig of beer without losing your aim on that doorway. Something that would probably be appreciated by snipers I expect.  When it comes to predictable aiming however it can’t really compete with a quality optical mouse and that's probably the reason that you'll most likely find me carrying an SMG.

So five years on and my second TE has started to show signs of age.  The bearings are developing flat spots and despite regular cleaning and polishing with Silicone Shine the ball doesn’t roll quite so well as it used to.  Silicone Shine incidentally is a spray for applying a finish to plastics, vinyls and rubber amongst other things.  I made the mistake of cleaning the device whilst sitting on the floor once and the overspray created something I didn’t think was possible…a slippery carpet!

After years of wear and tear my trusty TE isn't quite so trustworthy anymore.  Pressing Mouse1 with an upward pressure now has the tendency to somehow clip the internal wheel mechanism and nudge it forward very slightly.  This causes me some issues when playing UO and often at the most inopportune moments.  Being a purveyor of fine nades I will often elect to use one over my Thompson. A typical example would see me sneaking around and manouevering myself into a flanking position near an unsuspecting opponent.  I switch to a grenade and press Mouse1 to begin priming it.  At this point however the wheel mechanism is clipped forward and unexpectedly switches back to my gun...and I fire that instead, usually up in the air or down at the floor depending upon what I’m looking at.  Two things result from this:
1) I give away my position and frequently die shortly afterwards
2) On Vent my clan mates are exposed to a tirade of expletives directed at the trackball

The time had come to get a new one.  The problem is that Microsoft stopped making them in 2005 and despite petitions from Trackball lovers around the globe they refuse to restart production or even license the rights to permit others to manufacture them.  Consequently these things are now like gold dust.  Second hand units have been known to sell for $400! 

After two weeks of searching in vain I was coming to the horrible conclusion that I might actually have to make do with an inferior model.  Worse still I might have to learn how to play games with a mouse!  I’ve tried that before…I’m crap.
There was nothing else for it, only a Trackball Explorer would do!  After another month of looking I finally managed to get hold of a little used second-hand one for £70. That’s £21 more than I paid 3 years ago!  But at least I’m safe from languishing in mouse hell for another few years. Who knows maybe Microsoft will have seen sense and developed the Trackball Explorer 2 by then…

So what preferences do other [BBC] members have in the rodent department?

[BBC]F!nger$ - "It's a light and precise device. You can adjust the weight to your personal gaming style with the supplied 4g and 7g weights. I especially adore the 'microgear' scroll wheel. It makes sure you always select the right weapon"

[BBC]LandW@rrior! - " The nice thing about this mouse is the fact that you can adjust the feel of it. You get two mousecovers so you can adjust the mouse to the shape of your hand. The best feature is the option to change the DPI on the mouse. From 0 DPI up to 3000 DPI and basically means that you can increase the mouse-pointer speed. The higher the DPI, the faster your mouse pointer goes. This gives you great advantage when you have to react fast in a situation. Another feature, which isn't that important though, is the option to change the color of the LED's. I love the Logitech G9, and don't want anything else anymore."

[BBC]MadMan - <points at Landy> "Same here! "

[BBC]IncognitoCulto - "On my new PC (Windows VISTA Ultimate) and for "Call of Duty Modern Warfare" I use the Logitech G9 Laser Mouse."

[BBC]PHANTOM - "Logitech Gaming Mouse with a very nice feel.   "

[BBC]IncognitoCulto - "I am using the old (4 Years) but very good Logitech MouseMan Dual Optical for "CoD United Offensive" on my old PC (Windows 2000 Pro) but this Mouse is unfortunately no longer available, therefore it is possible that I will buy the Logitech MX 518 for CoD UO in the near Future. If anybody finds a New Logitech MouseMan Dual Optical, do not hesitate to contact me.  For me personally the Best Mouse Ever! "

[BBC]johnfrost -"I'm using the G9,s little brother the G3. I liked it because its a little bit more mouse shaped. and it has a really comfortable feel which doesnt give you claw hand after a couple of hours."

[BBC]MadChef - "Not the best for gaming i guess, but definitely best for browsing porn...fits like a glove "

[BBC]Mr Kray - "Mine came with pc about 100 years ago And the wife says till it breaks we dont need a new one "

[BBC]KB - "My mouse is like my wife,somedays it works great ,and I can kill fings,and somedays its just there. Overall it's a good mouse.  It feels good in the hand and takes being slammed to the floor when Wibbs keeps killing me!  "

[BBC]ANTH - No Comment

[BBC]tOxIc - "Well I'm probably one of the only people who doesn't use a Logitech mouse! I use a Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 - Smooth scrolling, comfortable to hold and use for long periods!"

Logitech clearly the favourite here and in a variety of styles. Controllers are a very personal thing and once we find something we like it'll be a trusted companion for years.  My personal recommendation would be that if you are really comfortable with your mouse, get yourself a spare whilst it is still in production and put it safely away in a cupboard for that inevitable rainy day. 

Feel free to comment and let us know which mouse you favour for gaming.

[BBC]~Wibble~

Here at the [BBC] we like to take a step back from multiplayer gaming from time to time and get immersed in a different kind of gaming experience, one that can be found in the world of online casino gaming...and beyond.

Las Vegas and the concept of online casino gaming may seem world's apart, but the two have some remarkable similarities. Not least, the fact that both have become gambling meccas and literally emerged from nothing, to quickly become world famous casino destinations. However, for many gamers and thrill seekers – a visit to Las Vegas remains a dream trip. 

If you get there, the chances are you'll want to do Vegas the right way – in which case you'll want to a stay with at least a little bit of luxury and maybe some fantasy thrown in for good measure. For that you have casino resorts, such as MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace and other venues made famous by million dollar casino wins and Hollywood Movies like Oceans 11 or Casino.  Hire a Limo or grab a cab and tour the Vegas Strip – then head Downtown to sample the hardcore action.

Naturally, the real Vegas buzz is the magnificent casino gaming – and it's said you're never more than 2 metres away from a slot machine once you enter Vegas! If the hundreds of slots at the airport are anything to go by – it's no exaggeration!  Unless you've visited Vegas already, there's simply no way to imagine the opulence and magic of hitting the casino tables – with a seemingly endless sea of roulette wheels, blackjack and poker tables, slots, neon video poker and every casino game in existence! It's also first-class treatment all the way – with free drinks the order of the day and the chance to feel like a movie star.

Visiting Las Vegas is a truly once in a life time experience, so keep saving those pennies – On the other hand if you are in the market for a new motherboard and you buy a Quantum Force one from the link below...you could win a trip to the Computer Entertainment show....in Vegas, Baby!

Trip to CES in Vegas 2008!