Battle For Europe - Call of Duty

WNN Issue #1
October 2008 Edition
"BFE Campaign 21 Begins!"

To go with the recent opening of BFE's Latest Campaign, the World News Network has released its first Issue! This Edition we will be looking over this past month upto the opening of BFE 21, which opened on Friday 3rd October 2008! Firstly, I would like to officially announce the WNN shake up!

Head: Pieman
Deputy: BAR

As the new Head, I will be focusing on bringing you once issues every month to look back on events both on and off the battlefield! This month has seen both the end of BFE's 20th Campaign and the resignations of two Tournament Administrators, Zweibz7 [IC] and Killauxc [TA]

Without further adieu, I bring you an interview with new Internal Co-ordinator, *=DaN=*!
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[WNN]: Hello Dan

[IC]*=DaN=*: Hey dude!


[WNN]: So Dan your reign of terror has begun, firstly your comments on the last IC, Zweibz. What’s your favorite memory? And why was he so good at what he did?

[IC]*=DaN=*: Zweibz was a good admin and he'll be missed within the admin team and the BFE community. He ensured that each admin was doing something and wanted to get the admin team working together to improve BFE. He was good at being an admin because he was inspired to do good, he stepped up and gave it 110% in and out of the battlefield. I'm sure many grunts look up to various characters within BFE and there's no doubt that he would have been one of them. I don't really have many memories with him, so I can't really think of a favorite one... although singing on teamspeak drunk was fun, doubt he remembers it!


[WNN]: Many people are welcoming this change at the top but can you say if we will see any real differences from the start?

[IC]*=DaN=*: I like to listen to the BFE community, and I noticed many members wanted the Kar rifle instead of the Mosin-Nagant rifle for CoD4, so they will be happy once they join the servers! I also created a BFE public server, it's currently running the Modern Paintball mod but once CoD5 hits it'll be updated to that (hopefully within 12 hours of release date)! I plan on making some changes here and there but I won't reveal anything until I actually plan it out and decide to implement those changes. Don't worry though, I plan on involving the BFE community a little more when it comes to any changes that may affect them.


[WNN]: What was your first job as the new IC?

[IC]*=DaN=*: To close the old campaign and begin to setup the new campaign. Since I've administered vBulletin and BFE for a while, I knew what to do. I just wasn't sure if it was different being on the Total Gaming Network forums. I didn't really get any response from them so I did it the way that works.


[WNN]: You picked Dark’ as your new DO, What qualities did you see in him to make your choice, and how do you think he will cope in his new post?

[IC]*=DaN=*: He's experienced with leading on the field and out. He's experienced with each development group too, he has led most of them so I know that he can do it. I picked him because he's more of the guy that will ensure that something gets done, and if it doesn't he's not afraid to give a guy the boot. He'll do fine as the Director of Operations, I have faith in him that he'll be able to improve each development group which in turn will help BFE to expand.


[WNN]: Campaign 21 starts soon will there be anything noticeably different this campaign, such as changes to the US half?

[IC]*=DaN=*: We haven't decided on what we want to do with the US half, we may cut 2 hours off it for this campaign but for the first scrim we want to see how it goes with the current setup. There have been a few minor changes to the mod, changing the mosin-nagant into the kar98 rifle for one thing. I plan on making some changes for next campaign with CoD5, for example bringing back Signal Corps and creating various vehicle/weapon level achievements for grunts.


[WNN]: With your new duties will we see less of you getting owned on the battlefield?

[IC]*=DaN=*: What? I never get owned on the battlefield. What are you on about? However, because university has started up again, I will be around a little less. I have a 9am Lecture on Thursdays so I won't be on for 2nd half on Wednesdays. I plan on playing as much as possible, just as much as I have always done. I don't think that having more duties should mean less time on the battlefield. If anything, it should mean more time on the field.


[WNN]: Do you have any other comments on the tournament as a whole?

[IC]*=DaN=*: No, not really. I can't really think of what else to say, other than: I hope everyone has a great time this campaign. Respect each other on and off the field. But most of all: Have Fun!


[WNN]: Well thanks a lot Dan. I’m sure we will be seeing lots of new and interesting ideas enter the tournament in the coming months.

[IC]*=DaN=*: You're welcome. Also just another point, Jacco donated a staggering $100 towards BFE to help pay for the BFE European Dedicated Server Box, because of his generous donations he has been given the chance to select his own side for this campaign. He has selected Nasty Company! Congratulations to him and I hope more people will give generous donations towards BFE!

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Thank you to Dan and Snakebite for this interview.

Now this is where the WNN was supposed to have an interveiw with the new Director of Operations, Dark. However, I was unable to reach him, so we'll catch up with his progress in a later issue!

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Another part of the shake up within the World News Network was the temporary ceasing of BFE Podcasts, however, this will be replaced by a larger focus on a new Battle For Europe Video! Which brings me to my next article about the video team, here is it:
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Video Team Recruiting:

Under the new regime of Pieman and BAR, we have decided to make a proper BFE Movie. This will be a feature length trailer around 2 - 3 minutes. The video will include an acted out scene to show teamwork in BFE, and will also have live footage from Saturday nights scrim. If you would like to join the BFE Video Team or just be an actor, then please don't hesitate to talk to BAR on xfire (bar234) or apply for the WNN with the reason "Video Team Please" in the Group Memberships page on the website.
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Thank you BAR for this article.

I would like to wish everyone, on behalf of the WNN, a great campaign! I hope you all have a blast, I know I will!

Stay tuned for more next month!


Pieman'
WNN Cheif Editor

That's right:

Battle for Europe: Call of Duty Campaign 21 is now Open

Head to the "Enlist" page at the top of the BFE forums and Sign Up for this campaign now! Or follow the link:
Enlist Now

If you have any problems, feel free to Private Message me: Here

Or, if you are new and unsure of what to do and where to go then contact one of the New Player Assistors (NPA): here


If you come across any errors, please comment/post in this thread OR contact an administrator!

Ok, well first of all I'd like to welcome everyone to BFE, this is my first post as Internal Coordinator. I'd like to keep this as short as possible, but I have a lot of various things that I need to announce about.

First things first, we're sad to see two admins step down from BFE. Former Internal Coordinator: Zweibz and Former Tournament Administrator: Killuaxc have both sadly left BFE, mainly due to not having enough time to commit towards BFE. We wish them both the best of luck with any future endeavours. They are both welcome back anytime, let's just hope we'll see them around every now and then when they have some spare time to frag with us.

With two admins stepping down, that does of course mean two new slots have opened up within the Administration team. I'll post more about this later this week.

As mentioned above, I'll be covering various things in this post, those are listed here:

• Next Campaign: Registration Date
• An Admin Promotion
• The Timeline of events leading up to the release of CoD5
• Changes within BFE: I want you to speak up!
• 5 Years of BFE CoD
• Donation Drive
• The American Servers
• Final Words
• 

Before I start covering any of the above, I'd like to talk about why I think I'll make a good IC, and what I think BFE is about.

I joined BFE almost 5 years ago, and after my first few battles I was offered a promotion from Pvt. to Pfc. - However, I declined the promotion, simply because I thought someone else would make a better Pfc. You may think that was weird, to decline a promotion so small... and I didn't accept the promotion untill 2 campaigns later, as I played with the same Officers on the same side for those early campaigns. When I first accepted the promotion, I realised how much fun it was to lead a few people in battles, so shortly after I was promoted again to Sgt. Then to Lt. for the following campaign. After that I just kept gaining ranks each campaign, it was great fun, leading my own regiment, my own army, then ensuring we kept the 'bad naughty' players out with the EC cases. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Anyway, enough about my history... I think I'll make a great IC, simply because I've been around so long, I know everything about BFE. I've led each Development group prior to becoming an Administrator, I was also a Server Admin too. I've also seen everything happen in BFE, from the good to the bad. Not only am I knowledgeable about everything within BFE, I'm also helpful. If you're reading this and you're a little lost, possible new to BFE, then feel free to contact me and I'll be sure to help you out.
I'm around alot, I find BFE to be more then just a "battle with friends" each week. BFE has grown on me, it's more like family to me. The community is what keeps BFE going, you, the readers of this post, are what make BFE so great. I'd like to thank you guys, but I'm unable to sum up into words how awesome you guys are. Instead, if you end up getting shot by me in a battle, it's because I totally <3 you!

BFE is a concept, designed by MFOTs a long time ago. However the concept has more to it then meets the eye. When you first read about BFE, you either think it's a tournament designed like the board game Risk or you just think it's a community to frag with fellow gamers, weekly. The actual concept is deeper then that, yes it is designed like the board game Risk, and yes it is a community to frag with other gamers, but you can do so much more within BFE. The development groups offer a chance for players to express talents, or to even learn new ones. Officers get the chance to lead there own army of soldiers (men and women!) into various battles, where they may win or lose but they'll sure as hell have a great time. Grunts who stick together, who follow orders from crazy officers, these guys ensure that BFE is kept running. They make sure the Officers do there job. Grunts, you guys have the best job in BFE. You're the first ones to die in the field, but you're the last ones to leave!

MyIS and TGN have a great community here. The BFE concept is how public play should be. Imagine just jumping on any server as an Axis or Allied grunt and fighting for your life just to defend a territory that you've never heard of, let alone ever been to. When you frag with BFE, you don't just frag for a score, you frag for your teammates, for your division, your army. Grunts you are more then just cannon fodder, you are the heart of BFE that pumps blood to every organ inside BFE.

BFE needs change, and I'm here to ensure we change for the better of everyone. CoD5 is just around the corner, and I've talked with someone who has alpha tested it, it's looking to be an even bigger game then CoD4 ever was. If you have doubts about CoD5 but enjoy CoD4 - you'll love CoD5, trust me!


Next Campaign: Registration Date
Ok, with all the various announcements and changes going on within BFE you may think that we had forgotten about next campaign!

Campaign 21, which is predicted to be the last CoD4 campaign for BFE will open registration on....

Campaign 21 Registration Opens Friday 3rd October 2008 At: 6:00pm EST (11:00pm GMT)

Hopefully I'll have everything sorted out by then.


An Admin Promotion
With my promotion to IC (Internal Coordinator). This has left the Director of Operations (DO) slot to be opened up.
I have thought long and hard about who I should pick. I had a few options, but the final decision was made because I know that he'll be able to do the job without much hassle, he's a good guy at heart. The other administrations agreed with my decision, so without further adieu...

The new Director of Operations is:
DarK

Congratulations to him, and I know he'll do what is needed to be a great DO


The Timeline
Here is the predicted timeline of events that lead up to the release of CoD5 and past that:

• 3rd October: Campaign 21 Registration Opens
• 4th October: First Scrim (only doing one scrim!)
• 8th October: First Battle! (Turn 1)
• 11th October: Second Battle!
• 15th October: Turn 2
• 22nd October: Turn 3
• 29th October: Turn 4
• 5th November: Campaign Break
• 9th November: Celebrate 5 Years
• 12th November: Turn 5
• 14th November: CoD5 Release Date
• 15th November: CoD4 Battle Still!
• 16th November: First CoD5 Battle (Scrim)
• 19th November: Turn 6
• 26th November: Turn 7
• 3rd December: Turn 8 - Will the Coalition destroy the Opposition? Who knows!

Once CoD5 is out, we'll continue with the current campaign but use CoD5 instead of CoD2 to 'beta' test anything and setup the mod for CoD5. The CoD5 mod shouldn't be too hard to setup, me and JackTheRipper have the current CoD4 mod setup in such a way that we'll be able to port it over to CoD5


Changes within BFE
I'll be making various changes within BFE, however this will happen over time. I want to involve the people of BFE alot more within decisions. For now however, I'm just working on ensuring Campaign 21 has a smooth registration.


5 Years of BFE CoD
Well, it's hard to believe but BFE CoD is almost 5 years old! ...and what do people do when they have a birthday?

Call of Duty 1 was released on:
November 7th 2003

So we'll have a special battle on Sunday 9th November 2008, be sure not to miss it!


Donation Drive
Firstly, thank you to everyone who has donated to BFE. I'd just like to remind everyone that we need to meet the $250 a month donation drive. We currently have $94.53 of the $250 needed for this month.

The reason we have this donation drive, is because we run the European servers off our own Dedicated box, which costs money for MyIS. The good news about this is that having our own Dedicated box allows us to do so much more! I'll be looking into setting up a public server for CoD5 as soon as that is released which will run 99% of the time!

So if you have any spare cash, feel free to click the Donate button at the top of the BFE website and then donate towards the BFE Goal!


The American Servers
Our lovely server providers, and owners of this tournament: MyInternetServices.com have recently updated there website. Along with the update they have also acquired a load of new servers!

We will be getting 2 brand new, fresh American Servers within a week or two! We'll be replacing the current ones we have but here's the awesome news: The specifications of this servers are crazy!

New American Server Specs:
Dual Quad Core 2.3 Intel's
4 Gigs of Ram
GiGE network (Basically 1Gb Ethernet)
New Server Control Panel (this is more related towards the Server Admins)


Final Words
Well I've just spent about an hour and a half writing this up, but I'd just like to thank everyone again for the comments they have made about my promotion and just for being in BFE... let's drive this train to paradise?


:awes - The Reign has begun...
Well, you may have noticed that I like to post smilies... alot I'm also a big fan of Hip-Hop...

"Don't play that game, without your team, know'mean" - Lil Wayne
"Drag my name through the mud, I come out clean, cast away stones, I won't even blink, a gun is not a math problem, I won't even think" - Lil Wayne

I'd just like to make this last part more about 'me' as a person, then as a BFE member. If you want to get to know me, well I usually don't have time to chat on Xfire or anything about things like that...
Anyway, I'm passionate about programming, and gaming (of course). I currently freelance for a company in Central London, it's a pretty simple job as I get to work from home.
I'm also just starting my first year at Brunel Uni, studying Comp Science... I also <3 Snowboarding, although I'm not that good, but I plan on going back to Whistler, BC (Canada) almost every Xmas!

Peace!

My Theme Song: (according to Galactus)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn_95hdy6Nw&fmt=18[/media]

As you know, MyInternetServices provides us with our very own dedicated server box located in London, which allow us to provide the high-quality European servers that we do for battles. This is only one of the countless services that MyIS provides BFE to help keep it alive.

Unfortunately, this server, along with all the many other things that MyIS provides us (Teamspeak server, webspace/domain, tons of publicity), do not come free.

That means that it is that time of the month where we need to ask the community for any amount of funds we can, to donate back to MyIS for all the services they provide us. Whether it be $5 or $50, any amount is appreciated as we strive towards our monthly goal of $250. Because we haven't received any donations during the last month, we really need to step it up for September.

You can donate by clicking the Donate link in the navbar underneath the banner, or by clicking here. Be sure to click the button for "Donate to BFE," so we know you've donated.

The member who donates the most before the start of Campaign 21 will receive a free side choice.

Hoorah Soldiers!

The final week is upon us, many of us have suffered severe battle wounds. Some of us have even been captured by the enemy. The Coalition have battled hard and won numerous attacks from the wise, alert General. However the Opposition fought back each time, becomming stronger with each attack against them.

Can the Opposition utilize the final week to finally beat the Coalition force? Or will the Coalition continue to drive there troops further into enemy territory?

Who will win this campaign?

It could be either side, so whether you're an Opposition grunt hungry for some Coalition blood or if you're one of the many Coalition grunts who enjoy destorying the Opposition... then show up and fight the final fight with all your heart!



Good luck to both sides, may the janitors of war have enough mops to clean the blood shed from Europe before the next Campaign begins!