Since 2001 when the World Cyber Games first commenced in Seoul, Korea, both Australia and New Zealand have sent numerous teams to compete against world-class teams from all over the world.

However, participants from both countries would have to withstand the challenge of succeeding among the best. Unlike Europe, Asia and America, Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) is isolated from the rest of the world and struggles to maintain the player base required to establish a successful e-sports environment.

Australian WCG participants find it extremely difficult to prepare efficiently, hindering their performance in major international events. Hence, the realistic aim of each player/team is to get out of group play, as opposed to placing top 3, let alone top 16 in almost all gaming events.

With 2008 being a new, brighter year for both Australia and New Zealand, participants from both countries have persevered far greater than before. With a more intense training regime and blooming gaming opportunities, getting out of group play is now merely a partial aim for some, and placing among the podium stand is where they maintain their focus.

Move aside f-zer0, here comes Team Immunity...

Meet Team Immunity, considered to be Australia’s most successful multi-gaming organization today. Extending its success even further by having produced the 2nd ever Australian Counter-Strike 1.6 team to make it out of group stages. This year, with the help of SK Gaming, Mousesports, and their sponsors, Team Immunity was able to bootcamp in Europe one week prior to playing in Cologne. Fortunately for them, the countless hours of practice have paid off. Immunity placed second in their group, just behind Norwegian favorites cbteam.

GotFrag spoke with Team Immunity Managing Director Tony "Sent1nel" Trubridge about the success thus far at the 2008 WCG Grand Finals.

"The boys are really doing Australia proud. There is no question that the weeks and months of practice in the lead-up to WCG 2008 have paid dividends. The boot camp and time in Europe prior to event has played a huge role in the teams current preparation and success," stated Trubridge.

Trubridge went on to say, "With Australia being largely detached from the rest of the world, the ability to practice against the best in the world resets the bar and gives the boys a target to aim for. I am thankful towards all the teams we played with before WCG for all of their assistance and professionalism."

"I’d personally like to also wish all Australian players the best of luck for the remainder of the event," concluded Trubridge.

We're more than just one game...

In addition, Australia’s Halo 3 team Encore.BBR beat all of their competitors convincingly, placing first out of their group play on opening day. And who could forget New Zealand’s guitar hero competitor and WCG Pan Asian champion, Mason "Massi4h" Maddox, who upset America’s #2, witwix and Germany’s #1 NOLIMIT32. Allowing him to progress into the single elimination stage undefeated.

Last but not least, Hamish "Kowi" Parker, the WCG Pan Asia silver medalist behind the almighty Jae-Ho "Moon" Jang for Warcraft III for progressing into single elimination finals on the first day.

Unfortunately, Australian Warcraft III representative Andrew “mOOn-GLaDe” Pender, beat the second qualified Korean player and ESWC holder Du-Seop “WhO” Chang, but was unable to move forward after landing in third place within his group.

As a whole, the quality of players that New Zealand and Australia has been producing over the years has drastically improved; even with the difficulty of maintaining relation with the international gaming community. However, for now this may just be the spark that lights the fire of future international success from the Oceanic eSports scene.


2008 WCG Grand Final CS Scores/Melee
GotFrag's Full Coverage of the 2008 WCG Grand Final