By now, I think everyone knows that the DoD 1.3 minicup is coming. When is it? Well, even we're not entirely sure yet, but we are looking at around the end of March/beginning of April area. However, that's still a ways away, and more importantly, most of us around here are more than likely a little bit rusty at the game considering we don't play it that often. Heck, I've only even played it a couple of times myself, and I know there are people just like me in that same boat.

So, before we start preparing for this thing, we want to give everyone a chance to play the game, get some practice in, and of course have some fun with some villians! This is especially a good time for newcomers to come out, because if there's one thing I learned it's that old-timer villians come out of the woodwork for DoD nights!

Of course, I digress, and I'm sure by now most of you just want to know when the nights are. Well, we've got at least two planned for now, and we can add a third one if need be. They are:

Wednesday, February 10th starting at 7:00PM VST/CST

Sunday, February 21st starting at 1:00PM VST/CST

We're doing the afternoon one on Sunday in order to give our European friends a chance to join us at a reasonable hour. Plus, dollars to donuts that the tournament will happen on a Sunday afternoon too, so you'll have to get used to it eventually!

If it isn't obvious, the night will occur on our trusty (And freshly reinstalled) TVIII - 63.209.36.69:27015. We shouldn't experience any problems like we did the last time (Thanks again Dog!)

I look forward to seeing everyone there!

My wounds have healed, my bones have mended, and I can now look at a melee weapon without collapsing into tears. This can only mean one thing. It's time for another KILL THECARPE MONTH! Last year it was Tungsten who took home the grand prize, this time, it could be you!

The rules will remain largely the same as last years, with a couple exceptions. Here are the details again:

For the entire month of February, every melee kill you score against <TVB>TheCarpe will be recorded and scored based on a point system. There is no need to sign up, everyone with a forum account is eligible! The event runs from February 1 until midnight February 28th!

At the end of the month, everyone's points will be tallied and the top Carpe killers will receive:

• First place winner will receive a game of their choice up to $30 gifted to them through Steam, and 20,000 forum points.
  This win also comes with a promise. If and when Valve incorporates the trading feature of TF2, I will give away any item in my backpack of the winners choice.
  
• Second place will receive a game of their choice up to $10 gifted to them through Steam and 10,000 forum points.
  
• Third place will receive 5,000 forum points.
  

Rules and general information:

• The 10 person limit on the server no longer applies, as long as the HLStats are recording (meaning six or more people on the server), your kills will be tallied.
  
• There are no points for assists. Either you get the kill, or you don’t.
  
• Kills during the February MeleeMania will not count.
  
• Melee kills are eligible in Team Fortress 2 only.
  
• Different weapons have different point values, however these specific numbers will not be revealed until the event is over. The point values from last years event have also been reworked. What scored high last year may score low this year, and vice-versa, or it may not change at all.
  
• Be creative: There are situations in which a kill with a melee weapon under specific circumstances will net you extra points.
  
• What class I am playing makes no difference, nor will my killing you with a melee weapon affect your score.
  
• I've got a little more demanding my time now than I did last year, but I'll still make every effort to play when I can and in all of the Ville's servers.
  

So there you have it. Another murderous month of mayhem and massacring...me! Get out there and give me your best swing!

Winter: who likes it? I mean seriously, it's cold, there's a lot of snow, it's incredibly easy to get sick, and it's just generally unpleasant to be outside. Sure, you could try and go outside to do some snowboarding or skiing, but if you're like me that would just guarantee you a few nights at a luxury emergency ward. Winter just begs you to stay inside and stay warm. So, what better way to keep roasty-toasty than to light the fireplace, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and play some video games with some of the best people in the world? Nothing!

So, I'm proud to present....Winter-een-mas 2010, a week-long celebration of video games and the wonderful people around here who play them! (I also promise that this will be the only event that originates from a made-up holiday in a webcomic I ever do) How are we going to celebrate this week? With a week of open events in various games! Here's what we have in store:

*Please note: all times are in VST, and VST = CST. If you need help figuring out times for your zone, click here

Sunday the 24th at 1:00PM on TVXIV: The Ship Afternoon! Anything I say about this game and server will sound incredibly biased, but if you own the game I'd love to see you come out!
Sunday the 24th at 8:00PM on TVIX/TVIV: Left4DoD Night! I know of a lot of people around here with DoD:S who have yet to try this very innovative mod by our favorite canine companion, so what better excuse that to play at the same time as a bunch of villians?
Tuesday the 26th at 8:00PM on TVX: TF2 Classic/Fun Customs Night! We'll be going up into the virtual attic and blowing off the cobwebs off of classic TF2 customs like Roswell, Falling, Castle, and maybe even giving Bessie a good run for her money!* If you were one of the many people who stayed at this place because of the crazy nights on the customs server two years ago, this night is not to be missed!
Wednesday the 27th at 8:00PM on TVIII: Day of Defeat 1.3 Night! Play an old favorite, and practice for the upcoming DoD1.3 tournament!
Thursday the 28th at 8:00PM on TVXII: Day of Defeat:Source Night! I know there are a lot of people who have been missing the usual Day of Defeat Nights, so what better way to get back into the habit than during a week filled of events? Plus, all that heat coming off your machine gun will feel very good after shoveling the driveway!
Sunday the 31st at 8:00PM on TVX: Meleemania: The Dispensenator! What better way to end the week than by bringing out the wrenches and having a night filled with knee-slapping laughter and a Mr. T bake sale?! More details can be found here.

*Planned maps include Roswell, Falling, Castle, Cranetop, Casbah v2, Mach4, Cave, Snofort, and Broma. Suggestions are welcome.

Hope to see everyone make it out there!