The last UK LAN event was epic22 in October, due to Insomnia dropping a big “nope” in their December schedule. So we’re having a double dosage of Kettering-related shenanigans with epic23. At this point in time there are 31 CS:GO teams signed up to the tournament, but odds are by the time between this getting published and us getting to the Kettering Conference Centre there’ll be a few more, as is life.
As has been the theme for the past epicLANs, the event sold out of tickets exactly one month to the day. This means the LAN halls will be full of gamers of various disciplines all looking to compete in their various games, but we’re here for CS:GO so we’ll be focusing on the CS:GO. With a high number of quality teams set to be taking part, there’ll be a high number of talent on display all aiming for that title. The CS:GO tournament recently got sponsored by GT Omega, meaning with the high number of teams competing the prize pool should be set to have £3250 on offer.
A CeX mix won the last epicLAN. With four of the players from that team returning, over three different teams, we’re looking at a potential title defense. (Credit: epic.LAN Gallery)
The Teams
Contenders
fish123 (MiGHTYMAX, keita, Sliggy, mole, smooya)
Stif CeX With Joe (Astroo, Danceyz, Luzuh, megadongs, L1NK)
Bulldog.mix (Jenko, Kryptix, Surreal, robiin, Kray)
Stickmen (Boaster, Puls3, Roma, jadam, JDD)
CeX (resu, LiamS, Nukeddog, notmuffin, frazehh)
Enclave (whisk, Trials, mrhui, shaney, SHEEKEY)
Outsiders
TLR (kpR, Murky, benzk1, kittycat, cloudy)
ProjectX (adamxoxo, ashhh, meziiF, GhosT, Pommey)
Boys, Beers & Bmagic (Xacty, Ducky, bmagic, Rybak, ZEO)
Cardinals (logaN, Mattye, Gizmo, EddieK2, neggies)
Cryptick (MontSta, 5shaBo, Kai, Zachel, Dm_God)
anime thugs (square, Transfer, Stempy, ArcherAce, Ryde)
Everyone Else
Grouped CeX (Revilo, Cynic, LeLewk, ScYph, samplify)
OMEN (steveO, Snow_STORM, tmxxx, xtR, z1nked)
Devious (KOGGGYYYY, shoobie, Doodlies, Fluffs_, Zephyr)
Perilous Fury (panndaa, BigBoyBarefoot, NellyJ, Wrinkles, canefis)
5 Guys 1 Ethernet Cable (m0zzyB, CmK, HaS_CS_, Nars, Bomi1)
BigDaddyWideswing (DonTy, BigBadBart, FsN_1NjA, Boothy, hardy69)
Chetz AC (Tyrell, rekzu, MaGiKMoo, IConicZ, infex)
Chetz Mix (Coach, charlesworth, octane, mystery_M, kolognez)
FANCYABUM?? (BeakZ, CayF, twixy, ADZY, Nickbod)
gamevibe (jSAV, JU5T1N, mAson, Savilleman, Laneyyy)
Jimmy’s Juniors (DvMSnake, Htm, DaFroosh, Shade-, MonkeyNuts)
KANE HAS FAT TITS (Kaneth, Saboo, stayfreshshoe, stufer, Widowmcbendyrockets)
Karibo (Rolfie, Jack_C15, terata, liamw151, Luke-10)
Norfolk Enchats (CNR97, PCAIL, cnxx, sjn, DyyLN)
Oyoyoyoy (albie, Tapole, Jamw0w, Stuart_, casa)
Sham’s corner shop (CRJ_, sham__, hastEayy, Barter, HuskyCS)
Team Craig Brand (Maich, Chump, Cosmic_Bear_Assassin, AndyRavage, zu1u, Sekdondax)
TheDankBank (SCANDLIN, odizy, DanuL, porky, caineo)
Wanted eSports (Jacob, Wasty, ConBrock, Znow, apL)
Casting Team
The epicLAN action will be brought to you by a crack team of commentating talent. There will be three returning casters coming from the last epicLAN, joined by a familiar face from a few events previous. Those bringing you the action in Kettering this weekend shall be Jamie “SwitchBladeJay” Martin, Rory “Dream” Redmond, Harvey “Skriv” Rodgers and Luke “Lucas” Ellis-Weir. However, it’s inevitable that certain other LAN people will turn up to ruin the day give their opinions on the CS:GO action, so there’ll be a plethora of information coming to your eyes.
Admins
Admins are arguably the most important part of the event weekend and should always be looked after and respected. That said, you’ll need to know who they are to fill out scores and, er, “dispute resolution”. So far there is just one name on the list, although there will inevitably be another person included at a later time. So for now, Umar “Maru” Aswat will be your go-to problem solver.
The Format
The tournament format is, for now, set to be similar to that of the last few epicLANs, where four groups moved onto a 16-team double elimination bracket. With somewhere around 30 teams competing, that’d be the most sensible format for competition and is what is currently listed on the website. However, as always, it’s not confirmed until after sign-ups closed so if this changes, we’ll drop you a cheeky update when the groups are released.
Group Stage
- Groups of 5/6
- Best-Of-One
- Top 4 go through
Elimination Stage
- 16 Teams
- Best-Of-Three
- Double Elimination
The Schedule
Thursday
- 2pm – Downstairs Bar Open – Check-in commences
- 4pm – Event Opens
- 8pm – Opening Ceremony
- 10pm – Tournament Sign-ups CLOSE
Friday
- 10:30am – Team Leader Briefing
- 11am – CS:GO Group Stages Begin
- 5pm – CS:GO Group Stages Finish (expected, could change depending on sign-ups)
- 9pm – Round 1 Elimination Bracket commences
Saturday
- 10am – Elimination Stages kick off again
- 12noon – Intermediate Tournament kicks off
- 9pm – Upper Bracket & Lower Bracket Finals kick off
Sunday
- 9am – Lower Bracket Final (aka Third Placed Playoff/Consolidation Final)
- 12noon – Grand Final
- 4pm – Event Closed
Generic Information
epic.LAN Central Stream
epic.LAN Counter-Strike Stream
epic.LAN Twitch Hub (if you are into all your sports titles)
epic.LAN Twitter
epic.LAN Facebook
epic.LAN Instagram
epic.LAN Tournament Website
epic.LAN Event Page
What else goes on at epicLAN?
For those of you who maybe are less interested in the Counter-Strike tournament at epic.LAN, or are a competitor who sees there tournament lives take an unforseen end, there is a whole host of extra activities at the LAN this weekend. Here are some of the plus points throughout the weekend.
Opening Ceremony (Thursday 8pm)
Always something you should get involved in, it’s filled with a bit of banter, some freebies, and a lovely speech from certain people at epic.LAN. It gives you the basic heads up of what to expect at the LAN over the weekend.
Pub Quiz (Friday 8pm)
Something that is quickly becoming a staple of the epic.LAN events, it has it’s share of “in jokes” between staff and dedicated community members, but it is a great chance to relax, chill out and get drunk.
CINEDOUKEN! (Saturday 7pm)
Presented by Joypad Bar, some cheeky Street Fighter action will be brought to the epicLAN arena. Not your usual tournament, however, as Joypad will be bringing an “interactive, multiplayer edition of one of the greatest and worst movies of all time, Streetfighter 2“. So with all that, there will of course be some fantastic drinking events happening, including a selection of Street Fighter-related cocktails.
General Area
Around the epicLAN gallery area will be a generic selection of things to do. With a cheeky bit of Rock Band lined up alongside,
Board Games Area
epicLAN’s popular board games area is always full throughout the event, and it is expected to be no different. Where you can participate in games of Cards Against Humanity, or a wider variety of board games, there always seems to be something for everyone.
We will be having more coverage, interviews, reactions and many other things over the coming weekend with a variety of teams, so make sure you keep in touch with UKCSGO in the run up and during epic24 through our Twitter.
