It is no secret that today's proceedings have been delayed.

I've been sat in the press area watching a combination of a live stream, Source TV and the QuadV shoutcast all within a couple of metres of each other. I'm about to do a write-up about the action unfolding, but owing to a combination of boredom and not a lot of room in the studio the press area is taken over by the Dignitas CS:S team.

Michael “ODEE” O'Dell has been with me most of the morning and afternoon giving me his opinions on the event as it has unfolded. The delays to the proceedings raise question marks about whether it will be finished in time for the players to make their respective journeys home. As they come into the area his players are asking about hotels, taxis, trains and in Luke “Kritikal” Green's case a flight to Monaco.

Given that there has been much hype surrounding the new incarnation of Dignitas it was interesting to observe how they were interacted with each other. For a while now the many events I have been to have seen a despondent or lethargic Dignitas team, perhaps most outstandingly at the Alienware 51 Tournament. I can theorise about what motivates a group of players that have won the biggest cash prize the game has ever thrown up and is ever likely to, as well as being salaried. Money is always a bonus, but to players such as these it can't be much of a defining factor.

I had my doubts about Luke and Sam “RattlesnK” Gawn's ability to play together. I remember the second season of CGS when they batted back and forth some particularly venomous banter that made me wonder how they had ever been friends. They are similar characters in their way. Fierce competitors, primary AWPers and known for theirt calling and motivational abilities. At the other end of the spectrum you have Dan “Re1ease” Mullan, a player not that long ago plying his trade in the ED Open Ladder, now in the limelight for arguably the UK's strongest team and his country.

With chemistry always such an important factor in any team game I sat casually and watched them watch the game from the same vantage point as me. I wanted to see if maybe there was something there that would give me an inkling of just how well things were going. Despite their worries about travel, despite their manager voicing his disapproval of some of the events that have transpired, the players seem relaxed and looking forward to playing, talking back and forth casually and with a genuine affection prevalent in their voices and mannerisms.


Dignitas face Reason Gaming in the first game
Elliot “Wez” Welsh catches the attention of Dan, dozing in a swivel chair while the semi-final is played out before him.

“This is your first LAN Dan... All the others before this don't count for anything.”

Dan looks up and casually says “Who we playing?” - it's deliberate. The Reason players are within clear earshot.

For a player of just fifteen he seems relaxed in a way that his experience should not allow. With only a handful of LANs under his belt when compared to his team mates, it'd be the easiest thing in the world for him to feel pressure coming into it. Yet if there are any nerves he doesn't betray it and is quick to ramp up the psychological play that all too often can play a major part in how an event unfolds. His team mates are also keen to take some of that pressure off him.

“Look how cool he is” says Sam

When he gets up to get a drink the team all tell me how impressed they are with him and how much he has brought to the table. It seems that it is not only Luke “Kritikal” Green who is singing his praises these days.

Even while watching the game, instead of making notes about their possible opponents should they proceed to the finals, they simply indulge in ribbing each other. After they watch Crack Clan lose an eco round one of the Dignitas players remarks “You have to work hard to lose an eco round... So hard” prompting Luke to pipe up:

“Just people running off on their own and getting noobed isn't it...”

Sam looks at him and says “You mean like you?”

“What?”

“All the time... You never drop down from ramp, always going for hero frags”

The banter is a totally different tone to when they were on opposite sides and it quickly peters out with Luke giving a knowing smile. I can't be sure if it's a joke or a subtle way of delivering one of those things to be mindful of going into their semi-final against Reason. Sam probably feels as if he has nothing riding on it, but he rarely says anything in a public and when he does he likes it to carry substance. Personally if he loses the game he will not be happy...

Yet considering the situation the players are all relaxed and as jovial as I have seen them at an event. As Crack Clan secure victory over a TCM side that was disappointing on the day, ODEE rounds up the troops and takes them to the PC area.

“Let's work boys” says James “wilzOOO” Wilson.

We shall soon see if it is working.