We just wanted to inform all esreality users that a new pickup channel has started about 2-3 days ago and is already starting to take off nicely.

The intention of the channel first and foremost is to bring the community together, not just tdm'ers, not just ctf'ers but both both equally. While the pickup section of this channel is just the beginning, with planned drafts and even complete leagues in both TDM and CTF planned for the near future (we are currently getting admins/staff for this as we speak).

Here are a few details which will make this pickup different than others.

* There will be big parts of the website dedicated to the pickup channel with various statistics and other interesting bits including the likely possibility of columns for the more "vocal" characters in there.

* There will be clear/easy to follow guides written describing each role on popular pickup maps (complete with screenshots to help describe situations) to help newer quakers learn things that otherwise isn't easy to.

* There is also going to be a section of the website dedicated into helping/encouraging currently unclanned playquake pickup players to actually form clans for the first time so that they can then participate in leagues. A stage which imo right now seems a huge stumbling block.

* While its obviously chaotic just as its starting out, it'll without doubt be adminned very sensibly with the best interests of the quakers who play in it. People having a bit of fun and a joke is of course fine but excessive trolling will be stamped out quickly and permanently, rather than just with temp bans.

* We also have a jazbot ( yes, really! check out the channel if you don't believe me :)). Its still in early stages but progressing very nicely now :)

I've always maintained and often said that if quakelive is to really grow much bigger, then the focus has to be on the up and coming quakers who are still full of enthusiasm and genuinely enjoy playing. The clear focus of all of this is to try to bring the community together and that is very much the vision which people involved with playquake all share.

IRC channel #playquake - Please feel free to join up and idle here :)

Also, for further details and info, please check out the website at www.playquake.com