Written By Andrew "Starks" Starkey
01 October, 2008 10:10 AM

Call of Duty 4 Finals

Competitive gaming in Australia is growing. At what speed, I can’t really tell. However I can assure you that since I began playing competitive Halo 2 back in 2004 to now where I myself am an organiser of competitions, the scale of things have definitely grown to the stage where it is beginning to grab the attention of more than just the hardcore gamer.

This year, I’ve had the privilege to work with GotGames.com.au, and it has resulted in me being the organiser of their Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 competitions for Xbox 360. This is something I have done with a great deal of enjoyment, as I have really wanted to further competitive gaming for console and bring it up to the standard of PC within Australia.

Thankfully, with prize money donated kindly by Activision for the Call of Duty 4 competition and GotGames.com.au pooling some money for the Halo 3 competition, we have given competitive console gamers around Australia the opportunity to play for money and be rewarded for all the time and effort they have put into honing their skills.

Whilst the Halo 3 competition has just entered its finals, this week on Wednesday and Thursday nights the Call of Duty 4 competition will draw to its climax as the Grand Finals for Professional and Intermediate are to be played out. The Professional Grand Final on Wednesday will see two of the heavy weights in Australian clans face off – Malice and 1 Shot Kill.

Malice weigh in as the favourites, having played through the Finals Round Robin having lost only one match and with an impressive points differential of 67; 27 above nearest rival Disturbing the Peace. With players of calibre such as Gh0st KIRBY and Gh0st JJ along with clan leader Tweaka calling the shots, Malice stand as a formidable opponent for the biggest game of the year.

1SK, with seasoned players Diresim, Chuie and EggRunS who hold mountains of experience, overcame a strong DtP to win a place in the Grand Final. 1SK are a tight unit who have exceptional team work. Only dropping two matches all finals, they have a desire to topple favourites Malice and take home the prize money.

As will all great matches, this one is fuelled with emotion as these two teams have a genuine dislike of one another. I look forward to the simmering lobby both pre and post match as this is no doubt one that will have tension levels running at unprecedented levels.

As if Wednesday night was not already a treat for Call of Duty 4 fans, Thursday will see the Intermediate Grand Final play out and this too is one that I am greatly looking forward to. Due to the overflowing talent in their clan, Malice have fielded as second B grade, although I can assure you that they are no less skilled than their contemporaries. Facing off against a talented No Monkeys Allowed, the Intermediate has been a hotly contested ladder that has seen various upsets and some incredible matches.

Both teams head into the game as equal favourites. The Top 4 for the finals series all had won 5 games and lost 2, meaning points differential – Which is how many rounds won minus how many rounds lost – came into play for seedings and NMA came out on top with positive 50, and Malice B coming in at third with positive 27. Both teams battled intensely, with Malice B getting the jump on NMA in a very close encounter in the Semi Finals.

With a greatly awaited lead up to the Grand Final, NMA will be no doubt looking for some revenge and the title of Intermediate Champions, as well as taking home the cash. Whilst there isn’t the animosity between these teams as with the Professional encounter, I can guarantee you that NMA’s Rohizle and Malices Jippy will be firing up their sides to ensure they get the best out of their troops.

Both games will have spectators capturing footage of the game, and I am in the midst of organising commentary for the game as this will no doubt be a crackerjack two days! As Head Admin of the competition, I will be viewing both and I can tell you now I'm excited by what will be some fantastic gaming this week!

Screw Hawthorn vs Geelong, don’t worry about Manly vs Melbourne – Wednesday and Thursday nights is where it will be at when the GotGames Call of Duty 4 Xbox champions will be crowned!

Best of luck to all teams.